Driven to Date by Susan Hatler Page B

night?”
    Her expression lifted. “Definitely.”
    Movement by the door caught my eye, and Ryan stepped in. “Do you have a few minutes?”
    Sarah stood. “We’ll plan the details later. Good morning, Ryan.”
    “Morning.” He eased around Sarah, pushed the door shut behind him, then came up to my desk. “I’m about to head to court, and I’ll be gone all day.”
    I glanced at my watch. 8:25 a.m. He must have a nine o’clock appearance. “Is that the Peterson case? Hope it goes well.”
    “Thanks.” He slipped his hands inside his pockets, looking like a GQ cover model in his suit and tie. “Have dinner with me tonight. I’ll make a seven o’clock reservation at The Melting Pot?”
    My favorite fondue restaurant. Sarah and her meddling. . . “Thanks for the invitation, but I can’t.”
    He turned his head slightly. “Tomorrow night?”
    I lifted the Somerset file off my desk, and opened it. “Let’s just keep it to business. Unless you have a case you have questions on, I have a lot of work to do.”
    His brows came together. “What’s going on, Jill?”
    “Nothing.” I gestured to my file. “But my boss has requested more trivial memos for the Somerset case, so I’m bogged down with that.”
    “Trivial?” His facial features darkened. “Do you honestly think I’d ask you to do something if it wasn’t necessary?”
    I leaned back in my chair, squeezing my highlighter. “No, I think recording memos of every time the opposing attorney said no to settlement can be very helpful in resolving a case. In a reversed world.”
    I hated my sarcastic tone, which was completely juvenile. But I’d do anything to avoid discussing what had happened between us. Plus, those tedious memos made me want to rip my hair out. Just saying.
    He crossed his arms, and held a look of disbelief. “Those memos are important.”
    I tapped my pen against the file. “In addition to documenting phone calls with the defense attorney, maybe you’d like me to create memos for each time Mrs. Somerset visited the restroom?”
    His eyes narrowed as he studied me. “Why won’t you go out with me?”
    Annoyed that I was impressed by his focus, I stood and started rearranging things on my desk, trying to calm my nerves. “I don’t have to explain myself.”
    He checked his watch, then strode where I was. “Just tell me.”
    My fists balled, because I so didn’t want to get my heart broken. “I’m not the girl for you.”
    He stepped closer, his hazel eyes peering into mine in a way that had my tummy bouncing. “You’re wrong about that.”
    Keeping my feelings in check, I sucked in a breath. “I’ve heard what you’re about, Ryan. I know this thing between us won’t last.”
    Holding my gaze, he brushed my cheek gently. “I think we’d last a lifetime.”
    My heart fluttered, wanting to believe him. What made me so special that he’d change his track record from bad boy to Mr. Dependable? “You do?”
    “Yes. But I have to go, or I’ll be late.” He ran his thumb along my jaw line. “Go out with me tonight. We can talk more.”
    Remembering my voicemail, I shook my head. “I’m serving dinner to the homeless tonight. There’s a program and they’re short on volunteers.”
    He nodded. “Then tell them they’ll have two volunteers. I’m taking you out after.”
    The corners of my mouth curved upward. “You’re very persistent.”
    “When it comes to you, buttercup, I always will be.” He brushed his lips against mine, then hurried out the door.
    ****
    We parked at the curb of a cul-de-sac where a long line of people had formed on the sidewalk. Sherri, the program director at H.H.P., shook my hand, and then Ryan’s. “I’m grateful for your help.” She smiled, and sounded sincere.
    Ryan slipped his hand in mine. “We’re glad to be here.”
    Sherri gestured toward an area in the front. “Bob can use you both at the burrito station. He’ll show you what to do.”
    We nodded, then headed over to