After hanging up with Brendan, Hayden marched over to her father's office and harshly knocked on the closed door. She tilted her head slightly so he could see her through the glass panel that flanked the door jamb. Hayden stepped from side to side as she waited for him to end the call he was on. She was just about to leave when the door opened.

"Have you spoken with Brendan Kemp recently?" Hayden demanded before she even sat down.

"Brendan? He joined us for a round of golf a week or so ago. He looked tired but toughed it out."

"He was golfing with you?"

"Yes, when he was here he told me he hadn't really played much before and wanted to give it another try, so I gave him a call. Why?"

"He just called and invited me to dinner."

"And?" John Garrison asked.

"And I'd rather not end up on a dinner plate," Hayden replied.

Her father laughed and brushed off her concern. "He mentioned something about possibly having offended you while he was here. I'm sure he's trying to be nice."

Hayden maintained a solemn expression. She arose from her seat and started pacing silently. She considered discussing the situation with her father but quickly changed her mind. It appeared that Brendan, hadn't gone into any detail either.

"I take it you told him no," John Garrison said when she didn't immediately say something. It was much more a statement than a question.

"I told him I'd check my schedule," Hayden said as she came to a stop.

"Your schedule is open. Take Tino if you're that worried."

Hayden looked at her father in surprise. He had, more or less, directed her to have dinner with Brendan. As she returned to her own office, she wondered what prompted that decision.

"I thought maybe you were going to stand me up," Brendan said as Hayden took her seat at the table.

"I should have; it probably be a new experience for you," she replied.

"I've been dumped before."

"Dumped and stood up are two very different things," Hayden pointed out. "We have a business relationship. I can fire you; I can't dump you."

Brendan leaned back in his chair a bit considering her statement with an amused look on his face. Any retort he may have had was cut off by the waiter stopping by to take their drink order. Instead of the usual bottle of wine, Hayden ordered a whiskey, straight up. She smiled at Brendan's inquiring look.

"I'm trying to avoid any misunderstandings," she told him.

Brendan hastily told Hayden he had been out of line in questioning her. It wasn't quite an apology, nor did it sound like he was entirely behind the statement to her ears. He then flippantly asked if she ever dined anywhere with less than four dollar signs after its name.

"Yes. You said to meet you here."

"Nice atmosphere. Excellent menu," Brendan nodded. "The bartender's pretty cool, too. Said if I really wanted to know about whiskey, you're the one to ask. Who knew?"

"Why were you talking to the bartender about me?"

"I wasn't really," Brendan replied. He explained that he and Blake had stopped by for a celebratory drink one night. After Blake departed, he had stayed and got to talking with the bartender about one of the bottles sitting on a shelf.

"He pointed you out."

"And you didn't stop by the table to say hello? Could be construed as stalking."

"Could be construed as not wanting to interrupt your date. I was trying to avoid any misunderstandings." Hayden watched Brendan intently trying to discern his motive.

"Funny," Hayden said. "Wasn't really a date. Tom and I are just friends."

"Seemed like a bit more," Brendan said and took a sip of his drink.

"Some friends have more benefits than others," Hayden said plainly. Brendan caught her meaning immediately but said nothing as the waiter approached.

After their dinner plates were set down and the server walked away, Hayden continued to speak, "I hear you're quite the golfer."

Brendan chuckled and admitted he had been a bit tired that day. As they chatted about the afternoon his spent with her father and his colleagues, Hayden's phone rang.

"I have to get this one," she said and reached into her bag for her phone. Hayden quickly answered and then returned the phone to her purse.

"Everything's fine?" Brendan asked.

"It was Tino checking up on me."

"Tino? Another friend?"

"Jack of all trades. You met him the other night when we dropped you at home," Hayden explained. "A girl has to be careful."

Seeing Brendan's eyes narrow, Hayden brought up the golf outing again. The force with which he cut into the steak on the plate let her know that Brendan wasn't pleased. He did his best to force a bit of light conversation though his eyes were cold. Before letting the subject drop, Hayden boldly offered some advice.

"If you plan on becoming a regular, I suggest not getting too good. My father loves to win."

They ate in silence for a while. Hayden ordered another drink. Brendan followed suit and requested a whiskey straight, winking at her as the waiter retreated. When the glasses were set down, he asked about the drink and why she chose that particular spirit.

In the midst of their conversation, Brendan abruptly changed the subject. "I had a call wanting a leg yesterday. Do they realize that I can't control the availability?" Brendan asked.

"Given your situation, it seems like it would be clear."

"What would you like me to do?"

"Me?" Hayden asked with surprise. "Return the call and tell them what you told me."

"I did."

"I'll pass along your concerns, just in case there's any confusion. Anything else?"

"Yeah. How do I get those extra friend benefits?" he asked staring intently over the glass of whiskey.

The next morning, Hayden did what she said and marched into her father's office. Although the office was empty, she sat down in front of the desk and waited. John Garrison arrived a short time later with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Hayden gave him a tight-lipped smile as he sat down and asked what the problem was.

She got up and closed the door. Hayden then explained the situation with Brendan. "They can't just start demanding body parts. We want him to become a doctor, not get kicked out… or arrested. Can everyone relax for a bit? They've managed this long."

"Point taken. I'm pretty sure I know who it was. By the way, how was dinner? You still have all your limbs, so you weren't the main course."

Hayden winced at the humor. "He didn't seem quite as concerned about my feelings being hurt as you may have thought but it beats a bag of popcorn for dinner."

"I keep hoping that you'll feel like the rest of us and welcome Brendan whole-heartedly."

"Let's see what happens when he's on his own with less rules and regulations," Hayden replied. "You've spoken with Jasper, right? He's prepared to have Brendan come into the practice?"

"It's taken care of," her father said, pleased that she was looking a bit ahead. "I can have a dinner meeting set up in the next couple of weeks to make the introduction. Just let me know your availability."

"I don't need to be there, Dad. That's more your thing," Hayden said and then returned start her day.