Driven to Date by Susan Hatler Read Free Book Online Page A

driver.”
    “He’s not a slave driver,” I said, feeling defensive for some reason. “He just assigned these tedious tasks, documenting my work on this specific case, which takes me away from my other cases. Such a waste of time.”
    Sarah accepted her Margarita from the server, then turned in my direction. “Do you think he’s that dedicated in everything he does?” She fake-swooned and giggled.
    “You have a one-track mind.” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help wondering if her words were true. His kisses had certainly been thorough and my stomach warmed as if to prove the point. “Other than being anal, he’s not horrible to work for, but it drives me crazy how everyone falls all over him at the office.” I frowned at the mental image of Valerie sashaying her narrow hips every time Ryan walked by.
    “I’m sure it’s nothing against you.” Sarah pointed out. “We’re kind of stuck, since he is our new boss. I’d love to hate him for you, Jill. But Ryan is just so . . . likable .”
    “Great. So he’s a big hit and I’m thrown out like an unsubstantiated motion.” I waited for someone to counter me with a positive comment. Nothing.
    “I still think you should date him.” Ginger clapped her hands together. “That’ll get you a fatraise.”
    My body warmed at the thought of dating Ryan. “He has a reputation with women.”
    Ginger scooted forward on her cushion. “What kind of rep?”
    I sipped my Mojito, the bubbly, minty flavor delighting my taste buds. “At the wedding, one of his friends indicated that he hops from one woman to the next.”
    “Are you sure?” Ginger seemed crestfallen. “He’s Ethan’s best friend, so he can’t be that bad.”
    “I’m not interested in dating Ryan Shaw.” He was a one-way detour I didn’t plan on traveling. I looked at each of them intently just to convey the message there was no way I’d date Ryan—not that he wanted to date me anyway. Fling? Maybe. He wasn’t the type to offer anything more. “Besides, my life is bad enough as it is.”
    “Your life isn’t bad Jill.” Sarah gave me a reassuring look. “It’s just been a tough week.”
    The waitress appeared then with another round of drinks. “This is from the man at the bar.” The woman pointed to a beefy looking guy with a blond crew cut.
    “Free drinks? That hasn’t happened to me since my college days.” Sarah smiled, clinked her glass to mine, then snickered. “Uh, oh, here he comes.”
    Beefy Guy strolled toward us, stopping directly in front of me. “Thought you gorgeous ladies could use another round.” He sipped his beer, then only had eyes for me. “Name’s Bud. And you are?”
    “Jill,” I said, laughing that I’d given him my real name. “Thanks for the drinks, but I have a boyfriend.”
    His face fell. “It’s figures. You, lady, are so hot you could melt the sun.”
    “Thanks, Bud.” I smiled, because the guy seemed harmless.
    He reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and handed it to me. “Call me if you’re ever single. I can take you anywhere you want to go.”
    I watched him walk away, and nodded. “That is the perfect end to my week.”
    Sarah burst into laughter. “I told you your life wasn’t so bad. Imagine how you’d feel if Bud was your new boss.”
    I glanced at his card. “He’s in the automotive industry. Not the law.”
    “Well, he has good taste in women.” Ginger held her glass up. “To being desirable.”
    As we clinked glasses, an image of Ryan popped into my head. He was smiling at me, like I was his sunshine.
    ****
    Charlie’s last day of work was on Monday. The partners threw him a going away party in the conference room at five o’clock. Ten years with Corbett, Gray & Shaw, bought him a party with champagne and a gourmet deli spread from the Italian restaurant around the corner.
    Most of the staff stuck around to wish Charlie good luck, and to wolf down a quick freebie dinner. The attorneys stayed longer, possibly to