Quincy

My office phone rings, startling me. No one calls me on it. Hell, I wasn’t even sure it actually worked.

“Hello, this is Dr. Morris.”

“Hello, Dr. Morris, this is Mrs. Covington.”

Holy shit. “You can call me Quincy,” I whisper.

“And you can call me Mollie.”

“Okay.”

“My son is amazing, but he’s also human. He’s going to mess up sometimes and so are you.”

“I expected little things. This isn’t so little.”

She sighs loudly. “I know.”

“I love him, but I love myself too. I learned to do that when my world fell apart. It was a struggle, but I did it. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t respect me enough to talk to me.”

“Please come to the party.”

“And watch him with another woman? I can’t.”

“He’s handling that situation.”

“Why isn’t he telling me that himself?”

“He’s afraid you wouldn’t listen to him.”

“I would’ve.”

“That sounds like past tense.”

Now, I’m the one sighing. “I appreciate the call, Mollie, but aren’t we a little old to have our parents calling to fix our messes?”

“I don’t think any of us will ever be too old. I still call my father when I’m upset about something.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“You’re still not coming, are you.”

“I’m still deciding.”

“Ah, so it’s not a ‘no’ any longer.”

“If I don’t have to watch him kiss another woman, I’m more likely to go.”

“That would’ve never happened, even if he wasn’t cancelling the date right now.”

“I’m not going to easily get over you having to tell him to do it after he kept it from me.”

“I understand that. But please find it in yourself to do it. Fight for your love, Quincy. You did it when you came to the diving event, and I’m asking you to do it again.”

“I went there because of my daughter,” I admit.

“You wouldn’t have agreed if you didn’t want to see him.”

“I’ve never let myself acknowledge that.”

“That’s what mothers are for. Call yours and ask her what she’d do.”

“I just might.”

“I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“Maybe.”

“I’m taking that as a yes.”

We hang up and I shake my head. Cohen’s mother is kind of awesome. I can see where he gets his charm—and his heart. My mom’s awesome too, and overdue for a call.

I use my cell phone this time, and it only rings once before she picks up. “Is this really my long-lost daughter?”

“I’m one state away and you saw me last month.”

“I thought with you working for Matt Corrigan, I’d get a visit every week. In a private jet.”

“You thought wrong.” Not exactly. I could use a jet, but I wouldn’t do it weekly.

“When are we going to see you? Your father misses you.”

“Dad’s the only one who misses me?”

“Yes. I just miss Bianca.”

I smile, knowing it’s not true. “How would you feel about attending a gala this weekend?”

“In Vegas?”

“San Diego.”

“Please tell me you’re not back with Rick.”

“God no. He actually signed away his parental rights.”

“You have powerful friends.”

“I have wonderful friends—and a wonderful man. His family’s even more wealthy than Rick’s, but they’re polar opposites.”

“You didn’t think to mention this?”

“I thought about it, but I was afraid.”

“Not every man is Rick. Thankfully, not many are as bad as him.”

“I know.”

“Has he met B?”

“Yes. She wants him to be her new daddy, and he says he wants that too. He has a little boy.”

“We can get a flight out on Saturday morning.”

“I’ll send a jet. Just let me know when you want to fly.”

“I knew you had access to those jets.”

“Anyway, it’s a black-tie charity birthday party for both Cohen and his son, Shane.”

“Does Cohen have a last name?”

Here we go. I’ve already moved the phone from my ear. “You know him as Cohen Horton.”

The scream comes, followed by the gushing remarks. Did I mention that my mom loves Olympic Diving and follows the potential divers like it’s her life’s mission? I should’ve gotten her a ticket to his event, but I was too freaked out to think about it until after.

“Please marry him.”

“Yeah Mom, I’ll do it just for you,” I say sarcastically.

“That’s my girl.”

I hang up feeling lighter than I have all day. Except that now I need to go back to looking for a birthday gift. I know he’ll say I’m gift enough, but that’s not enough for me. Hello internet, find me what I need.

* * *

Cohen

I haven’t seen Quincy since I got my diagnosis. I fought the urge to go down to the medical ward all day. My mom said the call went well, but she didn’t commit to the party. She also told me I need to leave it up to my woman to come to me with the answer.

Wave is waiting for Shane and me in the apartment lobby when we get off the elevator. Shane runs over for a hug, while I eye her warily.

“Hey.”

“I’m kidnapping Shane for a couple of hours.”

“I don’t have a say in this?”

“It wouldn’t be a kidnapping if you did.”

“Okay. I’ll go out and grab some dinner.”

“No. You’ll get your ass up to your apartment and have dinner.”

“Huh?”

“Are you really so dense?”

“Maybe?”

“Just go.”

“Can we play pirates again, W?” Shane asks as they walk away.

Everyone is now a letter to him, because he loves Q and B so much. Wait, did Wave mean what I now think she meant? I run to the elevator, hoping it’s what I think she means.

There’s an envelope with my name on it taped inside the elevator. I open it and can’t help but smile.

You’re cordially invited to dinner with the woman who loves you.

Another envelope is waiting for me on my apartment door.

6:00 PM tonight at the diving pool.

Yes. So much yes. I eagerly remove the next envelope from my bedroom door.

Your dinner attire has been chosen for you.

A pair of green swim trunks, and a black t-shirt are waiting for me on my bed. I was honestly expecting a Speedo, but this is better for everyone. I’m not sure the lobby guards would appreciate that. The concierge would, but I’m not here for her.

Once outside, I see a table and chairs set up over the water. Like, right over the water. The platform is probably 15 feet wide and spans the pool from side to side. It’s clear on the bottom and I love it. I love the woman sitting at the table even more.

Quincy has her hair loose and wavy down her back. She’s wearing a blue string bikini, and a sarong that looks like waves. She’s beautiful and everything I want in life.

“Thanks for coming,” she says, standing when I approach.

“Was there any doubt?”

“A little.”

“I screwed up and you were right to be angry.”

“It’s partly my fault too. You were scared to tell me, because somehow I made you feel like you couldn’t be honest.”

“I didn’t want to lose you over some stupid auction.”

“You wouldn’t have.”

“I know that now. All I can say is that I’m trying. It’s not enough, but I’m trying.”

“It’s enough. Next time please talk to me, instead of hiding something like your birthday party from me. It would’ve killed me to have missed your birthday, even if it meant waiting back at my house for you while you went to the gala with someone else.”

“Never. You’re not someone I’m ever going to hide. I’m honored to have you at my side.”

She bites her lip and looks around. “I wanted to do this up there, but it didn’t seem too safe.”

“This is perfect. We can take a waterproof cooler up one day and have a picnic in the air if you want.”

“Damn. I should’ve thought of a waterproof cooler.”

“Trust me to show you the ways of the water.”

“Speaking of that, I have a confession to make.”

Shit. She looks nervous. “Go ahead,” I say, swallowing hard.

“I invited my parents to your party. I figured they could have my RSVP since I’m going with you.”

“Of course. I can’t wait to meet them.”

“You say that now, but I need you to know my mom’s probably going to freak out over you.”

“Women tend to do that.”

She rolls her eyes. “She’s a fan. She loves competitive diving.”

I sit up straighter. “Yeah?”

“I should’ve taken her to your event. She would’ve loved it.”

“My parents have their own diving pool. On Sunday, I could dive for her. One dive only if my doctor says it’s okay. I know I said the event was my last, but I’d like to do this for your mom. Plus, I’m pretty sure my girlfriend didn’t watch my last one.”

“Your girlfriend is going to be scared out of her mind—and no, I didn’t watch—but your doctor is all for it. If you’re okay after we play with your head tomorrow. You might be dizzy for a few days.”

“If I am, will you kiss my head and make it feel better?”

“Kissing that head won’t make your brain feel better, but you know I’m always down for that.”

“Will you be offended if I eat fast? I feel the need to go to bed early tonight.”

“Not at all. Wave and Knox have the kids until eight. I wanted them to be in their own beds on a school night.”

“I love that you thought of that. But, it still leaves plenty of time for us to have our own play date.”

“Exactly.”