Page 109 of More than Paper

“Yes. She is. Where are you?”

“On the other side of town.”

“I’ll come get you.”

“No, I’m in my car. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“Stay where you are, and I’ll hop in a taxi. I’m just getting to the hospital now.”

“I’m already back on the road. I’ll meet you there.”

“Are you okay to drive?”

“Yes. I’ll see you in ten minutes or so.”

The car pulls up to the hospital, and Noah and I get out. Chase stays in the vehicle to get Vivian. Noah rushes inside, and I pace outside in the cold, waiting for Quinn.

“Jamison, what are you doing out here?” she calls out, walking across the parking lot.

I run over to her and pull her into my arms. “I’m glad you made it safely.”

“I’m okay. How’s Charlotte?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t been inside yet.”

“Jamison, how bad was it?”

“They are assessing her. She hit her head and lost consciousness.”

Quinn puts her hand over her mouth. I pull her into me again. “Come on, let’s go inside and wait.”

We spend the rest of the day at the hospital. Charlotte is, thankfully, going to be okay. When it gets close to our flight time, Quinn offers to take Chase and me to the airport.

I sit next to Quinn, holding her hand on the way. When we arrive, she and I step out of the car, and Vivian and Chase stay inside.

I pull her into me and give her a long kiss. “I’m going to miss you.”

She hesitates a moment.

I put my hand on her cheek. “What is it, doll?”

“Do you think you could come back Thursday night to take me to Vivian’s award gala?”

I will move mountains to make it happen.

I kiss her. “Noah and Piper told me about it, and I was hoping you’d ask me.”

Her eyes shine brighter. “You were?”

“Yes. And I should be able to. I just need to verify that I can rearrange something for work. Can I tell you for sure on Monday?”

“Sure.”

I kiss her again. “Let me know you got home safe.”

“I will. I’m going to dinner with Vivian first.”

“Okay, doll. I love you.”

---