“No.” Brianna braced herself for his reaction. “Liam isn’t a student. He works full time. He has a good job, repairing foreign automobiles.”

“He’s a mechanic?”

“Yes.” Brianna stood her ground. “He’s a very good mechanic. And you might as well know the rest. He’s twenty-three, and he drives a vintage Harley-Davidson. When we go out, he makes me wear his helmet, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Believe me, that’s the least of my worries,” Burke muttered. “Brianna, you’re nineteen! You’ve got your whole life ahead of you! I won’t allow you to throw it away on some greasy biker! Is he the one who started you drinking? Is this mess his fault?”

“No. Liam’s a recovering alcoholic. He doesn’t drink at all, and he wasn’t happy when he found out what I’d done. He’s a good man. He’s mature and responsible and kind. He even insisted that I tell you about him because he didn’t want to date me behind your back. You’d like him if you gave yourself half a chance.”

“How about no chance?” Burke’s fist tightened on the arm of the chair. “Your boyfriend sounds to me like a recipe for trouble. I can’t forbid you to see him, but if your legal problems keep you from going back to Evanston, that might be a blessing in disguise.”

“That’s not true!” Brianna battled mounting tears of frustration. “How can you judge Liam when you don’t even know him?”

“I know the type, sweetheart,” Burke said. “One day, when you’re happy, with the right kind of man, you’ll look back on this time and wonder what you were thinking. Trust me. I know.”

“Do you?” Brianna could have said more about her father’s own choice. But it didn’t seem right to criticize Allison, who’d done her best to be helpful these past two days. Instead, she said, “I love you, Dad,” and walked out of the room.

* * *

After leaving Brianna at the hospital, Allison drove to the talent agency. She hadn’t made a final decision to take Garrett up on his job offer, but she was leaning in that direction. With Burke still a long way from recovery, somebody needed to look out for his interests and keep an eye on Garrett.

The office-supply catalog, which had concealed the loan application, was still in her car. Returning it would give her an excuse for today’s visit.

With the catalog in hand and Burke’s keys in her purse, she walked in the front door, which was unlocked today. The receptionist, platinum blond with movie star makeup, was new. Allison introduced herself and asked for Garrett.