“I wouldn’t hold that against him,” Eve said. “My good-looking guy friends always say how easy dating in New York is for them. And remember when Max had that consulting gig down south for six months and complained about how much harder he had to work to get a date there compared to New York?” Max was part of their tight circle of friends from college.

“We were so not sympathetic,” Audrey said with a smile. “And that’s why dating in NY is such a nightmare. Men always seem to be searching for that better girlfriend option around the corner.”

Eve shrugged. “New York is tough. Let’s eat on your balcony. You can enjoy a summer night outside now that you’ve escaped.”

Audrey carried the salad bowl across the hallway to her rear duplex apartment. The minute she’d walked into it, she’d wanted it: light and airy, huge sliding glass doors, hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, clever closet solutions, outdoor space. The kitchen and living room were upstairs, with a small balcony, and a spiral staircase led to her bedroom downstairs, where a sliding glass door opened out onto a little backyard garden. Perfect apartment: check.

And she had been able to afford the down payment. Ever since her dad had died when she was in high school, she and her mom had had to worry about money. Her social life had taken a definite hit, but living at home with her mom for law school and for her first three years at the law firm had paid off. And her mom had been so relieved and proud that Audrey could buy this apartment. Yes, Mom, you don’t have to worry about me.

Several months after her father’s death, she had tried to bring back their family game night, making tacos, putting out board games for two. Her mom had shaken her head, crying, and abandoned the table. Audrey had then remembered her all A’s report card and run after her mom, whose expression completely changed when she looked at it. Her mom was so happy that Audrey was keeping up her grades. That she was going to get into a good college. No more game nights. Just discussions about schoolwork. Eyes on the prize. And that prize was now the financial security and professional recognition of partnership.

Which was now at risk. A cold shivery feeling snaked through her. It had never been a sure thing, but now it seemed farther away. She was tired; she’d been working so hard this past year that she didn’t have the reserves to pull up to mount this one last push. She shook her head. She could do it.