In Pursuit by Olivia Luck Page B

with any of her colleagues. While we chat, I survey the crowd for Harris. I want to see him so badly. Then, yes, looming above three stuffy looking men in creased pants and polo shirts, he chats while a serious look settles across his face. Tonight, he’s wearing a pair of dark jeans and a pale blue button down shirt, tucked neatly into his pants. I shift my weight on my brown stilettos, wondering if he will notice me. Just when I think Harris might look at me, a man with salt and pepper speckled hair appears in my line of vision.
    “Claire, how nice of you to join us. Late, as usual,” he says coldly.
    “Don’t be an asshole, Landon,” Claire snaps back.
    “Well, we can’t all be as sweet as you, can we?” Landon says, completely ignoring me. “May I have a word?”
    Claire flashes me an apologetic glance and follows the man as he leads her a few feet away.
    I’m standing awkwardly alone, studying the people I don’t know and sipping my drink when a warm hand settles on my shoulder sending a pleasurable jolt through me.
    A voice rumbles, “Edith, there you are.”
    I turn slowly and glance up at him. My name flows from his lips smoothly. It has never sounded so right to me, to be called Edith. In his voice, it is almost musical; a sweet word.
    “Hi, Harris.” There is nothing else for me to say to this guy, who I have been endlessly crushing on. He hasn’t moved his hand from my skin, and this time I do sigh out loud. The effect he has on me is soothing, a warmness fills my chest and I want to sink into his side.
I am meant to be tucked against him.
At least, that’s my wish.
    “Did Claire abandon you to the wolves?” Narrowing his eyes, he stares deep into mine. I’m not sure what message he is trying to convey.
    “Sort of. She went off with one of your co-workers.”
    Harris' gaze immediately leaves mine and his attention is gone, consumed by the quest to find Claire. “Did you see where she went?”
    Reality check. He’s ultimately looking for his sister, not interested in spending time with me.
    “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Amanda appears at my side, and loops her arm through mine. “Can I steal her away from you?” she asks Harris.
    “Yes, by all means.” He’s preoccupied, barely noticing our departure.
    Amanda begins tugging me down the patio, toward the glass partition designating the edge of the deck. “You looked like you needed to be saved.”
    “I’m not sure, to be honest.”
    “Something’s going on between you two,” she states firmly.
    This is not a conversation I’m prepared to have with a client, or Claire’s best friend.
    “I did need to be rescued, thank you. Harris and I don’t really get along well.” I stick to that story, even though it’s not really true anymore.
    “What?” Like Claire, she quickly grabs us two drinks, and I begin to gulp it aggressively to try and stall the conversation.
    “Drink up, girl. Two hot guys have their sights on you.”
    I nearly spit out my wine into her face. “Who is the other guy?”
    “Ah, someone was asking me about you. He definitely – “
    “He, who? What are we talking about?” Claire interrupts, punctuating her questions with a long swallow from her glass of champagne.
    “Jake Warden asked me about our sweet Eddie. He wants her to come out with us tonight,” Amanda says.
    “Jake – that would be so perfect! He’s a junior partner at the firm, so posh,” Claire says excitedly. “Don’t worry, Mandy, our girl here is coming out tonight, and it’s going to be the best of the summer. Everyone will be talking about it until Labor Day.”
    I nod my head. What can I say to avoid this? I’ve already pretty much agreed to going out with them, and I don’t want to upset Claire by disagreeing.
    We spend another hour at the party, and Claire and Amanda introduce me to some of their friends, attorneys and their significant others. To my delight, I meet some potential clients, and get a