“I need your opinion on which dip is better,” Jake said. “And I thought I’d rescue you from that guy who looks like a very serious work colleague. You’re off duty now, you know.” Grabbing her hand and pulling her through the crowd to arrive at the center table, he surveyed the dishes, took a cracker and spread dip on it.

“Now, which dip do you think is better? Try this spinach dip, or maybe this one.” He handed her a cracker topped with a black bean and sweet potato dip. “Also, Eve is about to clear the food and put out the desserts, and I’m not sure you’ve even eaten.”

She hadn’t. “Mmm, yes, this one is good.” She tasted it. “But hostess duties mean I shouldn’t leave him with no one to talk to.”

“Shhh, he can fend for himself. Now try this bruschetta with tomato and avocado—really special.” He put the cracker up to her mouth, and she ate it; their glances met as his fingers touched her lips. She wasn’t sure what she’d just swallowed. She took another bruschetta to taste it this time.

“There you go, he’s already been scooped up—by that woman with the very strict haircut—no nonsense there. They seem well-matched. Another lawyer?” Jake asked.

“Yes, that’s Colette.”

Tim was smiling at Colette. Colette handed him a drink, set hers down, and used both hands to pull her hair away from her face.

Max was talking to Winnie. Audrey was relieved that Jake did not seem to find Colette attractive. What if Max, Tim, and Jake had all pursued Colette? It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility in her life.

She turned back to Jake. “Did I look bored?”

He handed her an empanada.

“You looked very serious. Not smiling,” he said. “And I could have sworn you were discussing a case because you have this little crease in your forehead when you are thinking hard.” He gently touched her forehead and smoothed it down, and she shivered.

“We were. I’m amazed you figured that out.”

“I’m afraid it’s genetically ingrained. At my parents’ parties with work colleagues, we were all under strict instructions to pull my father away from any conversations that looked boring.”

“Really?” she asked. She had been worried that Tim was just going to talk about work, but the conversation had just shifted to be more personal.

“Absolutely. To his credit, my father said that parties were for getting to know each other better—not for discussing work. But some people just can’t help themselves. So which appetizer?” Jake asked.