Page 28 of The Pursuit of Her Happiness

Heavy footsteps force both of us to turn. Ford is barreling toward us. If it was possible, steam would be pouring from his ears. His face is an alarming shade of red.

“Ford—” I start, but his body locks up, his eyes roll back, and his legs give out. I rush toward him, but I’m only successful in cushioning his fall to the floor, our heads knocking violently together and my wrist bent unnaturally beneath us. My vision swims, black spots dancing, and an intense wave of vertigo washes over me. I drop my head back and knock it hard off the floor.

“QUINN!” Polk yells for me, but I can’t focus on him. Not when Ford is convulsing on top of me. “Get him off her!” I’m only vaguely aware of what’s going on. I know the heavy weight is gone. I know people are yelling. Some are crying. I feel someone run their fingers through my hair and kiss my forehead. “Quinn, darlin’, I need to hear your voice. Can you talk?”

“Ford,” I manage to whisper.

“He’s had a seizure. The ambulances are on their way to take both of you to the hospital.”

“No. I’m fine.” I attempt to sit up, but Polk pushes me back down.

“Do not move, Quinn. You hit your head twice.”

“Enzo?”

“Audrey has him and Sammy upstairs.”

“I don’t need an ambulance. Help me up. Someone should go with Ford.”

“Fuck,” Polk mutters, then leans down until he’s inches from my face, his eyes intent on mine. “You have a concussion. But I need to know…tell me, Quinn…do you love him?”

I rear back in shock, dry heaving when my entire body protests the movement. “No. Why would you ask me that?”

“Because your first words to me are to check onhim.” I force my eyes open so he can see my sincerity. My heart hurts at the pain I find in his.

“Bently. He just had a fucking seizure. And he’s my friend. Sort of. I’m concerned as I would be about any of the men here because I care about all of them. He shouldn’t be alone.” Polk sighs, dropping his forehead to mine.

“Madison is going with him.” He kisses the tip of my nose softly. “I’m sorry. I just…”

“I’m yours. I mean, I’d like to be, if you want—”

“I want. I very much want.”

“Good.” I close my eyes again when the spinning becomes too much. “Then help me up.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to do that. Ambulance will be here soon, and we’ll get you checked out at the hospital.”

I’m not going to win this and the more I internally examine my body the more I agree with him. “Can you call Joe? He’s got Marco and Salvatore. I’m supposed to pick them up.”

“I’ll take care of it, baby. Just let us take care of you.”

“Hmm. Otay.” Everything feels heavy, especially my eyes. Maybe a concussion won’t be so bad if I can sleep like I did before I had kids. That was some good fucking sleep.

Polk 15.

“This is fucking bullshit.” I say to no one as I pace back and forth in front of Quinn’s hospital bed. She’s sleeping fitfully and has been since they brought her back from the CT scan of her head. Her wrist was x-rayed, and they found a hairline fracture. She’ll see an orthopedic, but should only need a brace. Right now, it’s wrapped and resting across her stomach. Part of her face is swollen and slack, which is concerning.

I don’t know anything because I’m not family and no one will talk to me. I only know about her wrist because they talked to her about it when they wrapped it before they took her for the CT scan.

Boyfriend should count for something. HIPAA can suck my left nut. My woman is hurt. And she was hurt caring for someone who has treated her like utter shit. She has such a big heart, and I’m pissed off that she was injured trying to help someone who doesn’t deserve her time and attention. I might be jealous…ok, I am. She was fighting consciousness and still managed to ask abouthim.I see she likes me, I feel it in her touch, but I’m only human. And a man…according to most of the women I know, men are fragile creatures with even more fragile egos. So sue me.

I finally have her, I will NOT lose her. Not to some fucker like Ford and not to a concussion. Or whatever is causing the facial paralysis. She mentioned it a while ago and I told her to getchecked out but did she? No. Despite the fact that she works for doctors processing their billing, she is stubborn enough to ignore her own health to take care of others. Again, big heart. And it’s gonna get her in trouble. Thank God, I’m here now to protect it and her.

Just as soon as they fucking tell me what the hell is going on!

“Hello?” I turn to find an orderly in the doorway, a friendly smile on his young face. “Hi. My name is Jason, I’m from radiology. I’m here for Mrs. Palomeni.”

“Ms,” I correct automatically, hating like hell that she doesn’t have my last name.

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