All Chapters of Happily, Hopefully: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

QUINN'S POVBy Thursday, I'd recovered from my cold and I felt a hundred percent better. As I walked into the human resources office at Harper Industries, stylishly dressed in my new blue wrap dress and black Jimmy Choo heels, I felt ready to face the day.Three days ago I'd cursed the world and everyone in it. Today, I almost felt like I belonged. And I wanted to prove I belonged at Harper Industries. I needed to show Ford it wasn't a mistake to put his trust in me.I spent over an hour in the office with the manager of human resources. I had nothing to show her, so I had to recreate my resume and list of references. I'd have to remember to get a new driver's license, too. I'd given the appropriate two weeks' notice at my last job and I'd left on good terms. I felt confident my former boss would vouch for me.Mrs. Garza, the HR manager, assured me the resume and references were only a formality and that the title of Commodities Trader already belonged to me. But I didn't want the pos

QUINN'S POVIt wasn't the first time I'd been wrong. Not only did it appear I wasn't on Ford's radar, but it seemed I wasn't on his mind at all. An entire week and a half had zoomed by and I hadn't seen Ford once. The HI offices took up two floors and Ford's office was on the floor above mine. The chances of me running into him were already pretty slim.But in the time that had passed, I thought I'd at least have gotten a phone call or he would've stopped by to see how I was doing. He hadn't done either and I began to wonder if he'd forgotten me altogether.I knew I had no right to ask anything of him -- he'd already done so much for me. But I missed him and I needed to do something about it.I waited until my lunch break to go upstairs and see him. No one in the office knew the conditions under which Ford had hired me and I wanted to keep it that way. I wanted to avoid office gossip at all costs. I gave careful consideration about the possible implications of me walking into Ford's o

QUINN'S POVI could barely contain myself when I received an email that we'd be having a last-minute, mid-morning meeting in the conference room the next day. I hadn't seen Ford since our kiss, but I knew he'd be conducting the meeting in a few minutes and I couldn't wait to talk to him. The excitement spinning in my stomach made me want to hurl.I knew we'd have to keep our relationship discreet to avoid any unwanted gossip, but I couldn't help but hope for some subtle, nonverbal hint that he'd thought of me as much as I'd thought of him. My feelings distracted me so, that I flew right by Collin and didn't stop until I heard him call my name."Hey! What's your hurry? The meeting doesn't start for ten minutes.""Hi, Collin.""How've you been? I haven't seen you in forever."I looked over his shoulder into the open conference room doors. I couldn't see Ford."I've been good -- just staying busy. Getting adjusted to my new place and the job. You know, that kind of thing.""I'd like to t

QUINN'S POVI watched him retrieve a pair of black Nikes from the hall closet and slip them on. He tossed on a jacket and somehow managed to look as handsome in sweats as he did in his suits. I found myself aggravated with my attraction to him.My buzz had started to wear off, thanks to the stark cold and Ford's sobering comments. He'd parked his car in the underground parking garage, a steel gray Porsche Panamera. Somehow, I hadn't noticed his luxury car before. Perhaps because 'before' I'd been too busy shivering with cold from my plunge into the river. "This is some ride," I remarked as I climbed into the camel-colored interior."You've been in it before.""I know. But I didn't remember it being this gorgeous.""You're easily impressed."I ran my hand along the door panel. "Your sister's very pretty."He pushed the button to start the ignition. "Yes.""I hate I met her under these circumstances.""Drunk and misinformed?""Misinformed?""You thought I was sleeping with her."I lea

QUINN'S POVI had two more sets of foster families within the next two years before finally being placed with Mr. and Mrs. Carr. I lived with them for six years until I turned eighteen and left for school. By now, I'd become an embittered, mouthy, depressed teenager who felt worthless and was deemed worthless by those around me. I didn't care about the Carr's and I didn't really even care about myself.I didn't care about anything except school. Somewhere along the way, I figured out getting an education would get me out of my hellish life. I dedicated all of my time to studying. I read everything, I did all the extra credit and I joined all the clubs. I participated in everything academic related I could.Not only did it keep my mind busy, but it kept me out of the house. I would've done anything not to go home ever again. School became the only escape I had.The Carr's had two other foster children, Sara and Justin. Justin and I were the same age and Sara was three years younger tha