That’s what Audrey kept telling herself. That once she was partner, it would be better. She would have more control of her schedule; she had to believe that. Tiny slivers of doubt made her shiver. She wasn’t going to regret going to Jake’s party or the concert. But she wasn’t going to tell her mother about the concert either. Instead, she reassured her mom that she was focused on work. They talked for a bit longer, and then Audrey’s doorbell rang. The postman announced she had a package over the intercom. She said goodbye to her mom and ran downstairs to get it. She quickly opened the package and read the note.

Dear Audrey,

I might start planning my next vacation based on Travel, Surf, Cook—I’ll just need to bring the soundtrack.

The coloring book was certainly a thoughtful gift. And different. I can’t say I’ve received a coloring book as a gift before. I could never stay in the lines.

I found you this fairytale coloring book—guaranteed to reduce stress!

Cheers,

Jake

She laughed. He didn’t seem to be ruling her out based on her career. And the close dancing and the glances last night had intimated that she was more than just a friend—more than a person added to his collection. She’d love to be traveling with Jake in Central and South America. Hanging out on the beach, listening to the music, swimming in the waves, eating dinner over a little table near a grass-roofed cabana by the moonlight, the lapping of waves in the background as she gazed into Jake’s blue eyes with the soft sea air caressing their skin. Okay, she was getting ahead of herself. He’d sent her a coloring book. If anything, the romance factor was going down. And right now, she had to concentrate on work. And then there was her mother’s voice telling her to stay focused on making partner. It was the final stretch.

She texted briefly with Winnie. Winnie had been asked to spend another week in Texas and was not happy. She was planning a surprise party for her boyfriend’s birthday in two weeks, so as long as she came back Friday, she was resigned.

Invited by the birds chirping in the garden and the beautiful summer weather, Audrey decided to spend the day reading cases in her garden. Nothing like the smell of suntan lotion to remind you of summer. She lay out on the lounger in a t-shirt and shorts, a homemade strawberry smoothie on the little wooden side table, iPhone music on, highlighter in hand, and read cases. The heat of the sun warmed her face and legs. The smell of fresh-cut grass filled the air. She finished reading late in the afternoon and leaned back, took off her headphones, closed her eyes and breathed in.