Quincy

“Hey, Q,” Waverly says, knocking lightly on my open office door.

“Wave!” I exclaim, jumping up to hug my friend. She was on one of her spy missions when I arrived, and I haven’t seen her yet.

“Are you free for lunch?”

“Definitely.”

We let the nurses know we’ll both be gone and head upstairs to the cafeteria. It’s one of the best perks of working here, boasting stations serving all kinds of different foods. I decide on Greek food, heaping rice pilaf onto my plate.

“I didn’t know you were a Vegetarian.”

I look up to see Cohen looming over me. Wait, that’s not fair. He’s simply taller than me, forcing me to have to look up. He can’t help his height—but he can help that damn smirk. And maybe how hot he looks in that rolled-up dress shirt and tie. Okay, he can’t help that either, but he probably wouldn’t if he could.

Stay strong, Quincy.

“I’m not.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Rolling my eyes, I try to get rid of him. “Not sure why you’re so concerned about my eating habits. You’re not my coach.”

“I could be. Do you need lessons, Quince?”

“What I need is to have a peaceful lunch with a friend.”

He’s laughing when I walk away, and yes, I’m smiling too. Waverly gives me a curious look when I set my tray down. My smile stays on while I grab a smoothie, but it disappears when I find Cohen sitting at our table.

“Q, this is Knox’s best friend Cohen. Coh, this is my friend, Quincy.”

“You’re Knox’s best friend? Seriously? How did I not know this?”

“You didn’t ask,” he tells me with a shrug.

“Wait, you two know each other?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“I was Bianca’s swim teacher back home, and I’m helping her out here now.”

“You were—shit—is he the asshole you tossed into the pool? Please tell me it’s not him.”

“Please! She didn’t toss me. I was pushed.”

“Because you made my Goddaughter cry!”

“Your—Bianca—shit!”

“I could pull you apart piece by piece. You know that, right? And Ken knows his way around a scalpel. He’s her Godfather in case you were wondering.”

“Yes Wave, I know. I’ve already apologized to Bianca.”

“He did,” I admit, grudgingly, because I would love to see my friend knock him around a little.

“Still not totally happy.”

“Can you do me a favor, and not tell Kenny until after I have my scan thingy?”

“He’s a complete professional. Always has been. He won’t let anything get in the way of that.”

“Always? How do you all know each other anyway?”

“Ken and Quincy went to medical school together. We all lived in the same apartment complex, and she was pretty much our only real friend.”

“They were there for me when my asshole ex got me pregnant, and walked away at first.”

“At first?”

“That’s a story for later.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I see the sincerity in his eyes, and it makes me look at him. Really look at him for once. Past the sexy smirk, and beautiful eyes, is a man who cares. He hides it well, but it’s there. Maybe I need to give him a chance to show me more.

I’m still thinking that after watching him interact with Waverly. He’s flirty, but respectful. I like that. I think I may even like him.

“You like him.”

There’s a reason Waverly and I are friends. “I think you’re right.”

“He’s a good guy, Q. I know he comes across as an entitled ass, but he doesn’t care about his money.”

“Money? He’s a swim instructor.”

“Actually, he’s now some kind of marketing and event person. I honestly don’t know exactly what he’s doing for Matt, but I know he’s being paid well. And, I know I’m glad he’s here, because he’s been a good friend to me when I needed that.”

“Interesting.”

It really is. A couple of weeks ago, I was ready to write him off as a cocky surfer. Knowing he’s more has me looking for him once we’re done with lunch. I was already leaning toward giving him a chance before my friend told me some stories about how he’d stood up for her in the past. Now, I want to see where this can go.

Deciding to freshen up in private, I turn the corner to the quiet rooms, and realize my mistake. Cohen has a woman against the wall. His hand is inside her shirt and his mouth is on her neck.

“Do you mind?” she asks, causing him to look my way.

“Of course not.”

I turn and walk away. He doesn’t come after me, which is for the best. I know now he only wanted one thing from a date with me, and it’s not something I casually give out. I should feel relieved instead of disappointed. I should, but I don’t.

* * *

Cohen

I’m freaked out about the scan today. I think I’m healthy, but what if I’m not? I broke lots of bones when I was training to be an Olympic diver. Having the best doctors money can buy doesn’t mean I didn’t fuck something up. If I did—well, I’ve got Shane to think about now.

It’s why I accepted that chick’s offer to make-out at lunch. I wanted to calm my nerves before I went downstairs. Lunch with Wave and Quincy was fun, but in no way relaxing; I can’t relax around Quincy—I want her too badly. Of course, it had to be her who caught us in the hallway. That look on her face was enough to have me walking away right after she did, but the damage was done. I’m going to find her once this thing is over.

“Are you ready, Cohen?” Kendrick asks, motioning to the booth that looks like a TSA scanner.

“I didn’t bring any liquids in my carry-on,” I reply, with a straight face.

“I’ve heard it all, my friend.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Just step in when you’re ready. As I explained to you, you’ll need to stand still while being scanned, but it’s only for about a minute.”

“Got it.”

I drop the sheet around my waist and step into the machine. Kenny said to just keep my arms at my side, but when the machine powers up, I still feel like I’m at the airport. The minute seems to go one forever, but I know it really doesn’t. I also correctly interpret the look Kenny’s got on his face when I step out.

“You did not mention your concussion history on any of the medical forms.”

“It’s been years since I’ve hit my head on a diving board.”

“Your brain has been affected. Not badly, but continued concussions could cause permanent damage.”

“Good thing I’m no longer diving then, huh?”

“Yes, it is. You didn’t mention headaches on your forms, either, but there’s no way you’re not having them with what I’m seeing on the scan.”

“They aren’t every day. Or even every week.”

“But, they are bad.”

“Yes,” I admit. I honestly feel like I’m going to die when one comes on.

“There is no magic number for how many are too many concussions, but having more could be dangerous for you.”

“Walking across a street could be dangerous for me.”

“Cohen.”

“Kenny. I’m not going to stop living my life just because something may happen.”

“Just please try and be careful. You are perfectly healthy besides the minor swelling on your brain. I want to scan you again in a month to see if it’s gone down. As it’s been years, I don’t expect that to happen, but one can hope.”

“And, if it hasn’t gone down?”

“I’d rather not go in and do anything unless it gets worse. If your headaches start coming close together, you need to tell me or Quincy immediately.”

Fuck. I didn’t even think about her knowing. “I don’t suppose this could stay between the two of us?”

He frowns. “Why would you want that?”

“I’m trying to impress Quincy, not send her running.”

“My friend is not a runner, but she is also not someone who’s going to rush into a casual relationship.”

“I know.”

“It’s not in my nature to warn someone away from something—someone—they want.”

“Yet, you want to do it with me.”

“Not necessarily. I do want to urge you to be sure if this is what you want. Bianca’s father is not a nice man, and he did all he could to try and destroy Quincy. She survived, but she’s still a little battered.”

“Maybe I can be the one to fix her up.”

“Maybe so,” he agrees, nodding his head. “Maybe so.”

While I get dressed, I think about what I want from Quincy. What I can offer her. Technically, I could offer her the world, but I’m pretty sure money doesn’t interest her. I want to find out what does. Time to find her.

“Hey,” I say, leaning against her open office door a few minutes later.

It’s lame, but it’s all I’ve got at the moment. One of the nurses told me how to find her office, and now I’m sounding like a moron.

“Did you need something, Cohen?”

Yes. I need her. Or at least I want her. “I wanted to explain about the woman in the hall.”

“You don’t owe me any explanations.”

“Since I want to date you, I do.”

She sits back in her chair and runs her hands over her face. “I was honestly going to come find you and take you up on that date offer.”

“You were?”

“Before I saw you in the hallway, yes.”

Fuckity fuck fuck. “I was stressed out about my scan.”

“Because you’d omitted your concussions from all questionnaires?”

“Word travels fast.”

“Technology,” she says, motioning to the tablet on her desk.

“Right. And yes, I knew Kenny might see it. I didn’t know if he’d find anything else.”

“I’m sure he let you know he didn’t.”

“Yeah. It was a relief to hear nothing’s really wrong with me.”

“Swelling on your brain shouldn’t be a relief.”

“He’s not worried yet.”

“Not yet, no. Is there something else I can help you with?”

“You haven’t let me explain yet.”

She waves her hands toward one of the chairs in front of her. “Go ahead. It won’t change anything between us, though.”

“There’s no point if you’re not willing to listen.”

I walk out feeling worse than I did when I walked in. I won’t be bullied into feeling afraid, and I won’t allow another woman to de-value me. No matter how much I thought I liked her.