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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.

Gertrude knocked at the door and said that Mrs. Whitaker had called with a list of gluten-free, salt-free caterers to meet and taste-test. Audrey looked at the list in shock. Twenty names were on the list. She didn’t have time to attend taste-tests. This wasn’t a wedding. It was a departure party—all right, a departure party after a long and distinguished career, but still. She’d tell Mrs. Whitaker to hire whatever caterer she liked; Audrey didn’t have to attend the tastings. She called Mrs. Whitaker and suggested that, but Mrs. Whitaker insisted that Audrey come along because she’d been eating without salt or gluten for so long that she wasn’t sure what others would find delicious. Audrey asked her assistant to coordinate some dates with Mrs. Whitaker. It would be just her luck if Malaburn came looking for her when she was out of the office eating cake with Mrs. Whitaker.

She re-read Colette’s email. Should I ask Winnie what she thinks? Or just let it go? She decided it was too subtle to address without looking thin-skinned. She would let it pass.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Returning home after a late-night dinner with Winnie, Audrey popped in on Eve to ask her advice on how to handle Colette. Eve was curled up on her couch reading a cookbook, with index cards spread out all around her, brainstorming recipes. Pete was traveling again this week.

She plopped down on Eve’s couch. “How was your week? Did Chef Burns approve your new dessert for the menu?”

“He did. He actually mmm’d when eating it.” Eve grinned. “So satisfying. And your week?”

“I’m so happy for you. Not that good. I need your advice on Colette. And Winnie started meeting with headhunters to look for another job.”

“Why?”

“She doesn’t want to work these hours. The Texas trip was the last straw. But I’ll be so sad if Winnie leaves. She’s my last close girlfriend at the firm.”

“You’ll still see Winnie. And if she’s the client, you can take her out for dinner. How about some dessert to cheer you up? I just finished making concord grape sorbet and pumpkin spice cookies, and I need a guinea pig.” Eve jumped up and disappeared into her kitchen.

“Sounds delicious.” Audrey smiled.

Eve reappeared and handed her a bowl of sorbet with two cookies. Sitting cross-legged, Audrey happily savored the sorbet. “Mmm. This is so good.” She finished and put the empty bowl down on the coffee table. “These cookies too. Just the right hint of spiciness. They’re much better than anything I would’ve eaten out with Winnie.”

Eve smiled. “They’re good, aren’t they?” The kettle whistled, and Eve went into the kitchen.

Audrey followed her. “What’s happening at the restaurant?”