“Not if I’m going to work on that pitch with Malaburn,” Audrey said wryly.

“Another pitch?” Colette asked sharply. “You’re really racking them up.”

Audrey glanced at Colette warily. She didn’t want to compete against her. A passing pedestrian bumped shoulders with Audrey, and rubbing her shoulder, Audrey moved closer to Winnie.

“Audrey gave our whole team the weekend off,” Winnie said.

“Is that the Rothman case? I thought that was busy,” Colette said, narrowing her eyes.

“It is,” Audrey said firmly. The last thing she needed was a rumor that the case wasn’t busy. “But the team needs a break.”

“Junior associates shouldn’t be tired yet.” Colette gave a short laugh. “I hear Hunter is a sweetheart to work for.” Hunter was the partner in charge of the Rothman case.

“It wasn’t Hunter who gave us the weekend off. It was Audrey,” Winnie said.

“But Hunter agreed to it,” Colette said.

“I said I’d cover any issues,” Audrey said.

Colette shrugged and pulled Tim away. “Come, Tim, we should get lunch.”

They walked away, and Winnie said, “Well, if he’s interested in both of you, at least, it’s a clear choice.”

“I think so,” Audrey said dryly, but she wasn’t sure that the choice was in her favor for a preppy guy like Tim. They waited for the light to change to green.

“Anyway, it sounds like they’ll be discussing work,” Winnie said.

“Partnership plotting—but which type of partnership?” Audrey asked, making light of it. She didn’t want Winnie to see that she was shaken. She hadn’t realized that Tim was so friendly with Colette.

“I wouldn’t put anything past Colette.”

“I discuss work all the time with Tim.”

“And that should tell you something right there.”

Audrey nodded, her shoulders slumping. Hence the reason Eve called him Preppy Boy—Eve had said, “You want a man who likes you so much, he has to ask you out—not someone who can wait around for two years.”

Eve was right. And her mom had also always said that at least she’d had a great love with her father. She should be looking for the same, not trying to read tea leaves to decipher Tim.

They passed the Juice Java, and the smell of citrus and lime lured them inside. As they waited in line to order and pay for their strawberry smoothies, Audrey said, “I’m certainly not competing with Colette for Tim. Two professional women fighting over a man—no way.” She shuddered.

“On the positive side, if they fall madly in love, maybe they won’t be able to concentrate on work, and you’ll have a clear path to partner.”