Page 74 of Partner Pursuit
“Penny dared me to tryold-fashioneddating. And I kind of liked it—the flirtation and getting to know you slowly. But not if you were going to date Tim. What a life you’d have—what with both of you working all the time.” He shook his head. “And then my dad said not to get involved with you when you were in your last few months up for partner—you needed to concentrate on that and I should wait until you made it and then askyouout.”
“You discussed me withyourdad?”
“No, my sister did, after you helped take the kids to daycare. She totally grilled me. She should’ve been a lawyer. She laughed so hard when she heard you were a lawyer—and trying for partner. And then she told my dad that he might yet get a lawyer as part of the family.” He ruffled his hair. “She likes you. She’s sorry she interrupted our jazz date. Throw up dates are not usuallymy offer.”
“Really? I would’ve thought your rock star life would involve throw up periodically.”
“Not in many years.” Jake grimaced. “And then the next night, I was wiped out and about to go on a business trip. I considered kissing you—you looked adorable in your outfit—but then I thought, I’ve waited this long, I should wait for when I return frommytrip.”
“I thought about kissing you that night, but I didn’t have the nerve.” Her work phone in her bag vibrated next to her thigh.Ignore it.
“Am I that intimidating?”
Not at the moment. His disheveled hair and warm gaze made him look enticinglykissable.
“To kiss? When I’m not sure you like me? Yes.” She nodded.
He whispered, leaning across the table, “I like you. You can kiss me wheneveryouwant.”
She kissed him. “Time to go home, don’t you think?” She finished her dinner. The phone buzzed again againsther thigh.
“My apartment so I can walkBiscuit?”
“Perfect.”
“Okay, let’s get a car.” He checked his phone. “Looks like there are a bunch nearby.”
“Let me just run to the bathroom before we leave.” Finding the bathroom in the back, she locked the bathroom stall.She couldn’t decide if she should check her work phone. She had told him she could not check it. If she checked it, it could be nothing and then she didn’t have to think about it again.Until it buzzes again. Or it could be something. But I can’t respond. So then maybe I’ll get stressed. Better to not check it. I’ll read my emails tomorrow at the office.
Jake was waiting by a car when she walked out of the restaurant. They entered the car, and she snuggled up against him. He held her close. As they chatted softly, she remarkably and wonderfully and unbelievably stopped thinking aboutwork.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The next week passed in a blur of racing home from the office to Jake, tumbling into bed for can’t-get-enough-of-yousex, sleeping little, waking up in tangled sheets, bodies entwined, feeling warm and loved, breakfasts together in the morning, and coasting through work as much aspossible.
Audrey had told Tim she was dating Jake. Tim looked shocked for a moment, his body tensing, although he recovered quickly and wished her well. He made one remark: “Is that wise in these last few months?” He sounded like her mom. She ignored that, just as she had ignored her mom who’d asked the same question. She was still working as much as possible, but also delegating more so that she’d have more time at home—an important partner skill. She could combineboth.
Knock, knock. Hunter stood in her office doorway.
Striding in, he said, “I have some questions on your memo outlining your proposed strategy for the case. And you’ll be interested in this.” He put an email on Audrey’sdesk.
To:Hunter Evans
From:Colette Caron
Date:October 19
Subject:Rothman Case: My Strategy Analysis—Privileged and Confidential
Dear Hunter,
I know that Audrey is responsible for strategy, but we should share it as we are both the same level. Also, since I am in the trenches and responsible for defensive discovery, I’ve written my own strategymemo.
In summary: We should lead with Rothman, our stronger case, so that we dominate. The Rothmans also want this case resolved quickly.
We should not offer to settle the James case even though the facts are bad and may indicate fraud. We should hold out and see how the case develops. We can always offer that as the first bargaining chip if necessary when settlement negotiations are raised.
We look weak if we offer settlement immediately.
