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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.

Jake: What about snorkeling with sea turtles? He texted a picture of sea turtles. Excited for river rafting. But dry season in December. We may have to go back in September—also prime whale watching then.

Audrey: Yes to sea turtles. So excited for river rafting! I can’t wait.

She felt guilty. They should be planning this together, and instead, Jake was doing all the Costa Rica vacation research. She’d have to find some fabulous activity once she finished preparing for her meeting with Popflicks tomorrow.

Jake: Going to bed now.

Audrey: Sleep well. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it home tonight in time.

She sighed. She wanted to be going to bed now with Jake, joking around, Biscuit taking up the bottom of the bed.

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Six

Audrey took a seat on the comfortable purple couch in the Popflicks reception area to wait for her client, the Popflicks general counsel. Two large flat screens playing Popflicks movies enlivened the reception area. Pop music played in the background. And next to the receptionist, a red 1950s-style popcorn machine churned merrily, periodically making popping noises. Bright bags of popcorn jumbled joyously in a bowl on the coffee table. And it sounded like ping-pong was being played in the room behind her.

Betty emerged from a side door and greeted her enthusiastically. What always struck Audrey most about Betty was her confidence. She’d seen Betty give a presentation at a New York bar association meeting, and she’d dominated the room upon entering, even surrounded by men in dark suits. She’d made a quick-witted joke to start her talk, and the audience had been enthralled, leaning forward.

Audrey followed Betty down a hallway lined with framed pictures of movie stars. Laughter emanated from one office that they passed.

“I should have told you that it’s completely casual here. We all wear jeans,” Betty said.

Audrey said. “I’m going back to the office afterwards anyway.”

“Ah yes,” Betty said. “I don’t miss that life at a law firm where leaving at 5 p.m. is frowned upon. The work-life balance is better here. As long as you get your projects done, you can leave when you want to, which is great when you have kids and need to see some school performance or soccer game.” Betty had previously told Audrey that she had two teenagers, a boy and a girl.

“I sometimes wonder how I will balance family life with being a partner,” she said hesitantly. Discussing the desire for work-life balance may not be appropriate with a client.

“Many women do it, so they make it work,” Betty said, “but it’s not easy. Hopefully it will change. It helps if your male colleagues also have kids and obligations. Our CEO, Sebastian, has four kids, and he’s very open about taking time off for them, so he sets the tone.”