by Susan Hatler
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, Book #8)
(Coming - June 2014!)
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!!
About the author:
SUSAN HATLER is an International Bestselling Author, who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan’s books have been translated into Spanish and German. 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
Books by Susan Hatler:
Love at First Date (Better Date than Never series, Book #1)
Ellen may not believe in storybook love, but it’s about to rewrite her life . . .
Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she signs up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she’s excited to meet in person.
When Ellen’s best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t get out of her mind. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him.
Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?
Truth or Date (Better Date than Never series, Book #2)
Truth or Dare is all fun and games until a playful dare has Gina falling for the office playboy.
Gina Hall is done with men who won’t commit. Ten years waiting for her ex to propose wasted her time. Never again. When her friend Kristen starts a game of Truth or Dare, she dares Gina to go on a date with Ethan, who’s amazing and total marriage material.
As Gina plans the going away party for office playboy Chris Bradley, she spontaneously initiates a game of Truth or Dare with him. When his turn comes around, he dares Gina to pose as his girlfriend to help get a flirty colleague off his back. Gina finds playing couple with Chris way too much fun.
Even though Gina and Chris are pretending, their relationship begins to feel painfully real. Fearing she might be falling for another fly-by man, Gina must focus on Ethan so she doesn’t make the same dating mistakes all over again.
My Last Blind Date (Better Date than Never series, Book #3)
Should Rachel risk another dating disaster by trying yet again for love?
It’s Valentine’s Day and Rachel Price has a choice: Stay home and watch TV with her loveable doggy or let her best friend, Ellen, set her up on a blind date. What to do….
Ellen says the guy is a “10,” but the last guy she set her up with was a “–5.” Rachel’s been flirting with coworker Noah Peterson and she’s hoping he’s noticed. Then, she finds out Noah has big plans. Even worse, he advises Rachel to go on the blind date!
Should she play it safe and spend the Hallmark holiday with her loyal pooch, Chester, or risk another dating disaster by trying yet again for love?
Save the Date (Better Date than Never series, Book #4)
Kristen swears off men, but temptation swoops in when her sexy friend Ethan starts flirting with her.
Kristen knows men hide things. Case in point, her last boyfriend turned out to be married. Just like anyone else, Kristen is devastated. However, since Kristen evaluates people for a living, her ex’s duplicity has her searching for a new career as well as swearing off men.<
br />
Touring history museums with her sexy friend Ethan doesn’t count, because he has a girlfriend, and has only shown friendly interest in Kristen. He even helps with her career counseling tasks. Although Kristen has a secret crush on Ethan, spending time with him is safe. Until she discovers he’s actually single. Gasp. And now he’s flirting with her, too.
Suddenly, Ethan is way too dangerous. Not to mention tempting. Sure, he seems like sixty shades of perfect, but how’s a girl with bad judgment supposed to detect what skeletons he has in his closet?
A Twist of Date (Better Date than Never series, Book #5)
Will Melanie have to follow her best friend’s narrow dating rules in order to find lasting love?
Melanie Porter has been dumped—again. When others accuse her of “being in love with being in love,” she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life.
The Boyfriend Bylaws by Patti Hartley
Rule #1: No giving out your phone number until approved to do so.
Rule #2: Must obtain permission to accept any date invitation.
Rule #3: No bringing up marriage, kids or the future.
Rule #4: No going to first base without authorization.
Amended Rule #4: No going to first base, or any other base, without authorization.
Rule #5: No scribbling your first name with some guy’s last name. Ever.
Rule #6: New rules may be added as Patti Hartley deems necessary.
Memorize it, live by it, and happy dating!
License to Date (Better Date than Never series, Book #6)
Kaitlin agrees to five dates in five days only to fall for the mysterious bartender who’s there to witness them all.
After discovering her fiancé cheats on her, Kaitlin is focused on two things: remodeling her home and avoiding men at all costs. But her friends insist she get back in the driver’s seat and date again. They strike a hard bargain and agree to paint her house if she goes on five dates.
Anxious to get the paint job started, Kaitlin schedules five dates in five days, but her plan falls to pieces when a sexy bartender at her venue-of-choice makes her swoon. Even though he observes each of the dates from afar, she can’t help but want him to come a little closer.
The last person she should fall for is a mysterious bartender with a sinful smile, but Paul makes her want to take risks again. Will the charming man with electric blue eyes break her heart or will he prove to her that a license to date is what makes life worth the drive?
An Unexpected Date
Holly may be living in her dream location, but is her little resort town too small to attract the right man?
Holly loves living in her cozy mountain town and all the surrounding beauty soothes her soul. She treasures beading jewelry for her own small business while watching nature and its amazing creatures outside her window. But, her mom begs her to move back to the city so she can find a man to marry. Holly doesn’t want to give up on her dreams, but does that mean she’ll have to give up on love?
Shaken
In high school, it’s tough enough reading Steinbeck and Shakespeare…now Kylie has to read minds.
High school junior, Kylie Bates, can suddenly read minds. When she touches people’s hands, she’s able to see their deepest thoughts. As if that’s not freaky enough, her dad sends her to help hottie detective, Sam Williams, track down a missing girl. Way too much pressure, especially for a girl who can’t watch Scream without getting nightmares
Then, finding the missing girl leads to much more than Kylie’s prepared for. Like discovering that her dad has been lying to her. That she has a family she never knew about. That the girls have powers similar to hers. Oh yeah, and that someone is out to get her.
When the detective’s teenage wanna-be-cop cousin, Trip Williams, approaches Kylie at school insisting she help him solve the case, she discovers Trip might be the only one she can trust, and the only one to help her unravel the secrets behind her mysterious gift.
He's Irresistible Boxed Set
** Amazon International Bestseller in Romance Collections & Anthologies **
THREE contemporary romance novellas with THREE irresistible men for ONE low price!!
“Love at First Date left me completely satisfied.” - Getting Your Read On
“Veronica Blade is an incredibly talented story teller. ” - Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
“Virna DePaul is amazing!” - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author
Three stories. Three authors. Three kinds of romance.
Sweet. Sassy. Sexy.
Sweet: Love at First Date by Susan Hatler
Ellen may not believe in storybook love, but it's about to rewrite her life. . . .
Ellen's figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That's why she signs up for Detailed Dating-the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she's excited to meet in person.
When Ellen's best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can't get out of her mind. Henry isn't a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him.
Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?
Sassy: From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade
When good-girl Maddie switches places with her famous bad-girl twin Jackie, she has some pretty high stilettos to fill.
Despite the danger of tabloid drama if their identity swap is discovered, Maddie has to save her sister's butt. When Jackie's ex-boyfriend shows up with a rekindled spark for “Jackie,” his deep gray eyes and sweet kisses make Maddie's heart thumpety thump. But dating the guy who dumped her sister is a no-no. Too bad Dallas isn't used to girls saying no. What will happen when he discovers Maddie's deception?
Sexy: Wild For Mr. Wrong by Virna DePaul
Can an uptight prosecutor and a laid-back defense attorney find love despite their opposing agendas?
Bryn Donovon became a prosecutor for a reason and defense attorney Daniel Mays seems to take his job about as seriously as he does his love life. While straight-laced Bryn can't deny she's attracted to the southern charmer, she's determined to keep her distance. Instead, she ends up finding something she'd lost long ago-a willingness to risk all for love.
Lucky 7 Bad Boys
**New York Times and USA Today Bestseller**
**AMAZON Top 40 Bestseller**
**AMAZON Top 10 Bestseller in Romance**
**AMAZON #1 Bestseller in Hot New Releases**
**AMAZON UK #1 Bestseller in Romance**
Get lucky with a bad boy. . . .
Whether he's a rock star, a billionaire, or a playboy magician--whether he wears work boots or a suit and tie--bad boys have one thing in common: how good they can make a woman feel. This contemporary romance boxed set sizzles with SEVEN full-length novels by SEVEN bestselling authors, starring SEVEN unforgettable bad boys who will make you melt.
The Perfect Mix by Charity Pineiro, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Contractor Rey Ramos has good looks, brains, money, and a heart of gold. But Rey also has a dark secret that could scare off his new client, Bianca Martinez, the woman who has captivated him. Rey isn't eager to share the ugly reality of his past with Bianca and it would be totally foolish to fall in love with her, but Bianca is too tough to resist. . .
Heart Raider by Sophia Knightly, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Stranded together during a hurricane, hot passion explodes between reclusive billionaire Nick Cameron, and headstrong reporter Veronique "Ronnie" Whitcomb. Ronnie is seeking Nick's exclusive story...a story that could get he
r killed. Nick will risk his life--and his heart--to keep her alive. Try as he might to deny his feelings for her, keeping Ronnie at arm's length becomes impossible.
Naughty Vegas Nights by Tawny Weber, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Tired of her jinx-cursed love life, Natasha Stover figures the only way to fix it is to get naked and naughty with the guy who ruined her for all others. And Lady Luck is on her side.... A weekend in Sin City being a bad boy's favorite toy just might be the cure Natasha's been wishing for.
Warrior's Bride by Nina Bruhns, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Bad boy lawyer Coleton Lonetree never expected to find love at an Indian powow. But when he takes the beautiful stranger into his arms, he is determined to make her his for all time. The next morning, Rini Herelius finds herself hopelessly in love with her intriguing mystery-man--and pregnant with his child. More than anything she wants to keep him and her baby, but Fate has a way of spinning things out of control...turning heated lovers to passionate enemies.
Driven to Date by Susan Hatler, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Jill Parnell is all work and no play until her hard-earned promotion is handed to the boss's nephew, Ryan Shaw. Ryan is gorgeous, has the office women swooning, and his blasé work attitude drives Jill insane. To get her mind off work and Ryan, she focuses on dating--every man except the one she can't stop thinking about.