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Chapters (68)
  1. Partner Pursuit
  2. Copyright
  3. Dedication
  4. Contents
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Chapter Six
  11. Chapter Seven
  12. Re: Whitaker retirement party
  13. Chapter Nine
  14. Chapter Ten
  15. Chapter Eleven
  16. Chapter Twelve
  17. Chapter Thirteen
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Chapter Fifteen
  20. Chapter Sixteen
  21. Chapter Seventeen
  22. Chapter Eighteen
  23. Chapter Nineteen
  24. Chapter Twenty
  25. Friday, New York City
  26. Chapter Twenty-Two
  27. Chapter Twenty-Three
  28. Chapter Twenty-Four
  29. Chapter Twenty-Five
  30. Chapter Twenty-Six
  31. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  32. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  33. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  34. Chapter Thirty
  35. Chapter Thirty-One
  36. Chapter Thirty-Two
  37. Chapter Thirty-Three
  38. Chapter Thirty-Four
  39. Chapter Thirty-Five
  40. Chapter Thirty-Six
  41. Subject: Deposition of Plaintiff in James case
  42. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  43. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  44. Subject: Mentors Found
  45. Chapter Forty-One
  46. Chapter Forty-Two
  47. Chapter Forty-Three
  48. Chapter Forty-Four
  49. Jake: While you’re stuck at work, think about this: I thought you might want to do a yoga session while I’m surfing in Santa Teresa. Should I book?
  50. Chapter Forty-Six
  51. Chapter Forty-Seven
  52. Chapter Forty-Eight
  53. Chapter Forty-Nine
  54. Chapter Fifty
  55. Chapter Fifty-One
  56. Chapter Fifty-Two
  57. Chapter Fifty-Three
  58. Chapter Fifty-Four
  59. Chapter Fifty-Five
  60. Chapter Fifty-Six
  61. Chapter Fifty-Seven
  62. Chapter Fifty-Eight
  63. Chapter Fifty-Nine
  64. Chapter Sixty
  65. Chapter Sixty-One
  66. About the Author
  67. Acknowledgements
  68. On any top-ten list of best Sunday plans, today’s brunch with my former crush and his new girlfriend would rank number eleven … hundred. Times five. But I couldn’t say no. We’re still friends.

“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 from my trip.”

“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 enticingly kissable.

“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 whenever you want.”

She kissed him. “Time to go home, don’t you think?” She finished her dinner. The phone buzzed again against her thigh.

“My apartment so I can walk Biscuit?”

“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 about work.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

T he next week passed in a blur of racing home from the office to Jake, tumbling into bed for can’t-get-enough-of-you sex, sleeping little, waking up in tangled sheets, bodies entwined, feeling warm and loved, breakfasts together in the morning, and coasting through work as much as possible.

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 combine both.

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’s desk.

To: Hunter Evans

From: Colette Caron

Date: October 19