“No. But I need to put myself first. I need to get physically better. And I need some space and time to think about Jake—without passive-aggressive weirdness from Malaburn.” She picked up her work phone, opened her balcony sliding door, and dropped the work phone off her balcony. “No work distractions.”

Eve looked shocked. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Audrey walked back in and closed the door behind her. “I’ve just won a court case for Popflicks, settled another case favorably for one of our top bank clients, brought in a new hedge fund client, and canceled my vacation to fly to London for another client at their request. If they don’t make me partner because I don’t answer emails when I’m sick, then so be it. I’ll find a place that will.”

Eve clapped. “You go girl.”

Her shoulders slumped. “But where am I going?”

Eve hugged Audrey, but with a bit of space, head tilted away, so she didn’t get sick too.

“Still no word from Jake?”

“No. And now I’m too sick to call him anyway. And I haven’t decided that I should be the one calling him.” Audrey sat back down. “I don’t know how to persuade him to come back. I’m still a lawyer, trying to make partner, at the beck and call of clients, and I respect his decision that he doesn’t want to be a part of that.”

“That’s okay. Let him have some time away to think about it. He’ll be back. You’re pretty special—even with your flushed face and hacking cough.”

“I’m being careful to wash my hands so I don’t get you sick.” Audrey took another spoonful of soup.

“Don’t worry. You can get some really weird diseases working in kitchens. You don’t even want to know.” Eve shuddered. “But if Jake doesn’t come to his senses, I’m sure Max will come up with some scheme.”

“He definitely will. He asked me if I have a rock star costume, so I’m thinking he wants me to pretend to be a member of an all-girl band that Jake will discover.”

“Not bad. Except you can’t sing.”

“Details.” Audrey finished up the soup and took the bowl to her sink.

“I’ll leave you. Get some more rest. I left another pint of soup in your fridge.”

“You’re the best.”

Still achy and feverish, Audrey called in sick on Tuesday too. She talked to Max but when she sent him a picture of what she looked like, he agreed any seduction had to be put on hold—although he texted that it would be a true love test. She spent the day sleeping in bed—and missing Jake.