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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.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come out with us?” Jake asked. He tilted his head, encouraging, and she was tempted. All her senses came alive, as if they were ready to box in another bout of bantering.

“I have to be at work early tomorrow.” It wasn’t like college where she could sleep in. Tonight was a temporary respite, but tomorrow she had to make up for it.

The air stirred behind her, and the smell of Chanel perfume wafted over. Jake’s open smile disappeared.

“Veronika,” Jake said flatly.

“Jake, I took an early flight to make your party.” Veronika swept between Audrey and Eve to envelop Jake in a hug. The night air suddenly felt chilly, and Audrey wrapped her arms around herself. She turned to Eve and tilted her head towards the door. Penny joined them as they were leaving.

Penny held open the front door for them. “She’s like quicksand. She appears harmless, but she’s not going to let him go that easily. And Jake’s too nice. He shouldn’t have told her about his party. He told me it was safe because she had a modeling commitment in Italy. He doesn’t want to hurt her feelings, but there isn’t a nice way to break up with someone.”

“No,” Audrey said, still filled with regret at the way she’d broken up with Kevin. Eve and Audrey waved goodbye to Penny as they turned into the entrance of their building next door.

As they jogged up the stairs, Audrey said, “That was fun. I miss college and those all-night parties.” And that flickering of anticipation that something might happen. All-nighters filing briefs were not the same. Any flickers then were of fear that she had missed something.

“It doesn’t have to be all-night or nothing. There is a middle ground. I told you that you just have to get out there,” Eve said, behind her on the stairs.

Audrey nodded, but any middle ground was fast disappearing. She trudged up the dark stairway to their floor. A hallway light was out, and the walls felt like they were closing in. Winnie’s news and Malaburn were lurking in the shadows. She shook herself and hugged Eve goodbye at her door.

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Audrey’s office looked occupied, just as she had left it. Not that the deception had worked. She should’ve taken the elevator. She had to call the assignment partner and head off Malaburn’s attempt to work with her.