“You sent me all those gifts—I was sure you were, and then we have dinner and you get a call from that partner and totally revert to work mode and leave immediately.”

“I so regretted that,” she wailed. “I’m such a dork.”

“You’re definitely not a dork,” he said with a warm glance. “But I was worried you were a workaholic—like my father—and so I was determined not to be interested, especially since it seemed like work could trample any interest you had in me.”

“You doubted I liked you?”

“I knew you liked me as a friend. I thought you liked me more than that, but still, you are a lawyer trying to make partner,” Jake said.

“What changed your mind?”

“It seemed like you could leave your work phone at home. You didn’t take it out when we were biking—unless … did you check it in the bathroom?”

“I’ve been known to check it in the bathroom, but I left it at home that day because I didn’t want to be interrupted.”

“So that seemed like a good sign,” he said. “And I was gun-shy. Veronika was such a total disaster. And I couldn’t seem to get out of it—as you know.” He glanced sideways at her. “But responding to her call Saturday was a mistake. And I was so frustrated and mad that she finally got the message. Then she told me she’d met someone new, and I told her that I was thrilled for her and she should be calling him, not me. I think she thought that would make me want her back.” He ruffled his hair. “But I don’t.”

The waitress set down two plates of fish tacos and two beers. Jake started eating.

“Was there something also with Penny?” Audrey asked.

“Penny dared me to try old-fashioned dating. 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 ask you out.”

“You discussed me with your dad?”

“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 usually my offer.”

“Really? I would’ve thought your rock star life would involve throw up periodically.”