Driven to Date by Susan Hatler Page A

me.
    “Jill?” My dad’s voice broke. “What should I do?”
    I gaped at the phone. “I have no idea.”
    ****
    I’d dialed my mom’s cell five times throughout the day, but each time my call was sent directly to voicemail. How could she just up and leave my dad after thirty-three years of marriage? Or ignore her daughter?
    Just before five o’clock, I had a meeting with my favorite colleague, Scott Broderick. Charlie had hired Scott six months ago directly out of law school. Under my tutelage, Scott learned how to evaluate a personal injury file for the three key elements.
    Insurance coverage, which was a must if we were going to take on the prospective client’s case. Liability, which had to be clear—a case was hard enough to argue without having to prove the other party was actually at fault. And, the crème de la crème: settlement potential. Pretty obvious there—the higherthe dollar amount, the better.
    Without a doubt, the more significant the monetary value of the case, the more likely we would be lenient on the clarity of the second key. Even with sticky liability, insurance companies would often pay out on high damage claims, to avoid the risk of trial and the unknown outcome of unpredictable juries.
    After six months with the firm, I felt gratified by the long, hard hours Scott worked, his attention to detail, and his eagerness to absorb any advice I gave.
    Patting the thick file of documents on my desk, I glanced up at Scott, who sat attentively across from me as we went over the Beady file. “You reviewed all the medicals?”
    Scott nodded. “Yes, I reviewed them upon receipt. Then again, in entirety, this afternoon.”
    My question had been rhetorical. I know Scott Broderick wouldn’t come to my office unprepared. My mouth curved upward in a proud smile for my protégé. All hadn’t been lost at work. I still had one loyal person.
    “Why don’t you write up your evaluation?” It was now after five, and the conflict between my parents had left me drained. But, if I gave Scott authorization to settle today, he could attempt to resolve his case first thing in the morning. “We can go over it in an hour.”
    Scott responded by checking his watch.
    My brows came together in confusion. It was only a few minutes past five and he normally worked as late as I did.
    “I’d love to, Jill.” Scott squirmed in his seat. “But Ryan invited a few of us to get together for basketball Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
    “I see.” Yeah, I saw plenty. While I’d be in here working my tail off, Ryan would be out shooting hoops.
    “You know me, Jill. Normally I’d stay late for you but Ryan . . .”
    I eyed Scott critically while he continued stumbling out excuses. He’d been turned to the dark side.
    As if on cue, my nemesis appeared in my doorway. “Scott? I’ve been looking for you. Ready to head out?”
    Scott’s face lit up. “You bet.” He turned back to me awkwardly. “See you tomorrow, Jill?”
    I nodded coolly and watched my protégé duck his head, and scurry out of my office. Then I set my stony glare onto the eyes of the enemy.
    Ryan cocked an eyebrow. “What’s with the laser eyes?”
    I stood and began stacking the medical documents into neat piles. This slacker didn’t deserve a response from me.
    He came closer, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You don’t believe in the good of exercise?”
    I thrust my hand on my hip. “I happen to work out most days of the week.”
    Ryan’s gaze drifted down my body, then back up again with a look so intense it made my knees weak.
    “But that’s not the point.” I put a hand on the Beady files to steady myself. “Scott has a very promising future. He doesn’t need any distractions from his work.”
    His heated gaze cooled into a look of confusion. “How is basketball going to ruin his career?”
    It killed me that he could run the department, and still have time to pal around with co-workers. I’d barely had time for lunch with the