Page 14 of The Pursuit of Her Happiness

“Joe, you have the boys, I won’t bother you.”

“I was going to say, you need anything call the Congressionals.” With a grin, I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek softly.

“Since I’ll be out on the town, you can call the Congressionals too if you need anything. Enzo knows Buck’s number by heart if there is a plumbing emergency.”

“What is his fascination with toilets?”

“No idea. Must be from your side of the family.” I lean around him and yell into the two-bedroom apartment. “Bye, boys! Love you!” They yell back and with a wave, I leave them to it.

Now that I’m kid-free, my nerves start up again. I’m starting to think the dating apps might not be my best shot at finding a real relationship. So far, I haven’t had much luck. Each one more absurd than the last. Tonight is my last try. If this one is a dud, I might just have to give up on the whole finding love again thing. That wholeSister Actidea is looking better and better.

At home, I go through the motions of primping and painting myself. With a heavy sigh, I tie the jade green wrap dress around me and step into my black peep toe heels. One last look, I give myself a soft smile in the mirror.

I pull up to the restaurant and find a parking space towards the back of the lot. I give the hostess my name and she escorts me to a booth along the side of the dining room. It’s not isolated, but it does offer some privacy. I sit down and order a glass of wine from the waitress.

I’m spinning it around, my eyes glued to the sloshing pale liquid when someone clears their throat next to me. I plaster on a friendly smile and look up to greet my date.

“Hi, you mus—Polk?”

Bently “Polk” Walker 8.

Fuckin’ hell, I’m nervous. This could go very badly…but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. She’s worth the risk. Stacy’s words ring in my head as I approach her table.

“How much more of this are you gonna take before you sac up and claim her? Betty’s got a long list of potential fuck boys to send her way.” I growl at the thought of the first lady setting Quinn up with someone else.

“It’s not that simple, she’s in love—”

“Bullshit. She ain’t in love with Ford, and even if that had been true, he’s certainly ruined any chance he might have had with her. She isn’t going to settle for scraps from an immature, self-centered whore with mommy issues. She needs a man, a real man, and she’s smart enough to know one when she sees him.”

“It’s been over a year, Stace, she’s never looked at me—”

“Boy.” Stacy sighs frustratedly and it pulls my lips into a lopsided grin. I love riling her and Betty up. “She’s smart, but also pragmatic and a woman in her thirties with kids. She’s been around the club for more than a year, and no one here is dating or married to someone like her.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Settle down, I’m not speaking ill of her. She’s beautiful.”

“Fucking gorgeous,” I correct and Stacy gives me a fond smile.

“She is.” Stacy pats my cheek then cups it. “Quinn is a lot of things, strong, confident, intelligent…and a woman who’s been treated like shit most of her life. It probably hasn’t occurred to her that any of the eligible bachelors of the Congressionals MC could be attracted to her.”

“Ford is a fucking idiot.”

“He is,” she agrees readily. “And unfortunately, he’s probably the yard stick she uses to measure the rest of you.”

“So, how do I get her to use a different…stick?”

“Show up. Every time. Be there for her. For her boys. Be a rock-solid, steady presence. And love the fuck out of her like she deserves.”

So, here I am.

God, don’t let me fuck this up.

She’s spinning her wine glass, obviously deep in thought. I don’t like the slump of her shoulders, or the furrow of her brow, or the way she’s worrying her bottom lip. With a deep breath, I step up to her table and wait with a grin.

“Hi, you mus—Polk?”

“Hey, darlin’.” I slide into the booth, sitting across from her, cursing the table between us. But I can’t push too far too fast, or she’ll bolt.

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