Driven to Date Read online

  My cell phone rang. I glanced at the number, Mom, and immediately tapped ANSWER. “Hello?”

  “Happy birthday, honey!” Mom rambled, sounding relaxed and happy. “Thirty years ago today, your dad bought me a chicken burrito on the way to the hospital, because they never let you eat in there, and I was starving.”

  Mom told the same story every year, but I couldn’t smile this time, knowing my dad was at home miserable without her. I’d called her the other day, leaving a long voicemail about how people could change, and I used myself as an example. I’d been much like my dad, in the opposite sense, going in one direction and missing the entire package. I told her about my new firm, about Ryan, and about Founding Friendships.

  If only my mom and dad could find balance in their lives. . . .

  “Then out you came, tiny, and perfect.” Mom continued, sighing softly. “Hold on a second. Your dad wants to say hi.”

  “Happy birthday.” His cheerful voice came on the line. “How are you?”

  “Stunned,” I said, which was putting it mildly. A rush of adrenaline coursed through me. “Did Mom come home?”

  He cleared his throat. “No, we’re in South Dakota. Turns out your mom has always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, so that’s what we’re doing.”

  My mouth dropped open. “What . . .? When . . .?”

  He chuckled. “She called me yesterday, out of the blue, and said she missed me. I took the first available flight. I’ve been a fool, never noticing how unhappy she was. I’ve promised to make it up to her, and she said people can change when they really want to. But I guess you already know that, Ace.”

  My eyes watered. “I’m really happy for you guys. Take care of each other.”

  “Will do,” he assured me. “Your mom’s ready to head out, so we have to go. Have a wonderful birthday, and we’ll celebrate when your mom decides it’s time to go home.”

  “Bye, Dad.” I hung up the phone, feeling like my entire life had come together.

  No, my parents weren’t perfect. But they loved each other. Maybe if my mom had put her foot down years ago, she could’ve saved herself a lot of grief. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel the need to take sides—and, for the first time, I had faith they could work out a happy solution.

  Beep! Beep!

  My brows came together as I glanced at the phone on my desk. We were waiting for more revenue before hiring an assistant, so I had no idea who could be buzzing me. “Yes?”

  “Partners meeting in the conference room.” Charlie’s voice clipped out.

  My stomach immediately clenched, wondering why Charlie would call me in now, when we didn’t have a meeting scheduled until Friday. “Be right there.”

  Pushing to my feet, I hurried to the conference room, racking my brain for anything that could’ve gone wrong. I came up blank. So far, the firm seemed to be running smoothly. When I arrived to the conference room, the door was closed. Standing outside, I took a deep breath, before opening the door.

  “Happy birthday!” Charlie, Ethan, and Ryan, were seated on the same side of the table. In front of them was a rather large birthday cake with “Happy Birthday, Jill!” written in the corner, and the Scales of Justice was painted in the center with gray frosting. Her scales were perfectly balanced with a pink “3” over the left scale, and a pink “O” over the right scale.

  My hands flew to my mouth, and I burst out laughing. “I was having flashbacks of being called to the conference room, and totally thought something bad had happened.”

  “It’s a relief that you consider hitting a new decade a good thing.” Ryan came toward me, brushed his lips across my cheek, then encircled me with his arms. “Happy birthday, buttercup.”

  I curled into him, gazed up into those sexy hazel eyes, and smiled. “I have the feeling thirty is going to be my best year yet.”

  He dropped his forehead to mine. “You can trust your instincts on that one.”

  When I glanced down at the Scales of Justice, she was smiling. And, I swear, she winked at me.

  THE END

  If you enjoyed spending time

  with these characters,

  be sure to read Ginger’s story in:

  Up to Date

  (Better Date than Never series, 8)

  *****To receive an exclusive FREE BOOK and an alert when Susan’s next book releases, TAP HERE and add yourself to Susan’s Exclusive Readers Group*****

  Dedication

  This story is dedicated to my wonderful friend and critique partner, Cyndi Faria. Thank you for your encouragement and support during this roller-coaster process we call writing. You absolutely rock!!

  Titles by Susan Hatler

  Kissed by the Bay Series

  Every Little Kiss

  The Perfect Kiss

  Just One Kiss

  The Sweetest Kiss

  A Christmas Kiss

  All About That Kiss

  Better Date than Never Series

  Love at First Date

  Truth or Date

  My Last Blind Date

  Save the Date

  A Twist of Date

  License to Date

  Driven to Date

  Up to Date

  Déjà Date

  Date and Dash

  Treasured Dreams Series

  An Unexpected Date

  An Unexpected Kiss

  An Unexpected Love

  An Unexpected Proposal

  An Unexpected Wedding

  An Unexpected Joy

  An Unexpected Baby

  Young Adult Novels

  Shaken

  See Me

  The Crush Dilemma

  About the author:

  SUSAN HATLER is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan's books have been translated into German, Spanish, French and Italian. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.

  You can reach Susan here:

  Facebook: facebook.com/authorsusanhatler

  Twitter: twitter.com/susanhatler

  Website: www.susanhatler.com

  Blog: susanhatler.com/category/susans-blog