Audrey smiled wryly, warmed by Winnie’s support. “I’ll try. Thanks.”

“Anyway, I’m heading home now. Jae and I have a cooking class tonight,” Winnie said.

“That’ll be fun.”

“If we manage not to burn the food, ourselves, or the teacher.”

The door of the neighboring office was locked shut. It was already past seven. As she scribbled some notes in the margin of a document, Tim popped his head into her office.

“What are you working on?” he asked.

“I’m writing my outline for direct questions and the cross for my trial witnesses—and I am finishing up a strategy memo for Hunter. I’ll be here late.” Audrey sighed and rested her head on her hand.

“Feel like talking your strategy out? Sometimes that helps me.” He leaned against her doorway.

“Thanks for the offer, but right now, I just want to finish up my direct and cross. Talking about it will just add to my stress that I haven’t finished it yet.”

“Okay, but I’m here if you want. I can read it over when you’re done and give you my thoughts.”

“I have a feeling I’ll be working on it until I hand it in,” Audrey said.

“Well, could you look over one of my briefs? I’d really appreciate your insights. Whenever you look over my stuff, you add so much. I feel like you’re my good luck charm.”

She frowned. That’s what Kevin had called her. He’d always wanted her to look over his briefs. She had been doing a lot of his work, too, as she had researched additional angles and improved his arguments. She had forgotten that. In the end, she hadn’t been much of a good luck charm for him.

Tim’s gaze lingered. She hadn’t been hanging out with Tim much lately. She felt differently towards him and was wary given Winnie’s observations about him and Colette. But she and Tim had spent a lot of late nights these past two years bouncing ideas and strategies off each other. She didn’t want to cut that off, although she didn’t need the additional work of looking over his brief. But politically, she wanted to keep him on her side.

He said, “Frankly, I’m worried about my partnership chances because of the failed pitch.”

“I think you’ll still make it.” She wanted to console him, but she didn’t know what else to say. She was the one who might not make it because she didn’t fit the mold. She couldn’t express how she didn’t fit—other than not being particularly preppy—she just felt it. “Sure, I’ll look over your brief, but not tonight.”

“Great. What’s happening with the Rothman case? Are you getting along with Colette?” Tim asked.