French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,38
was made, but the room lacked the rosy smell I ached for.
Figures. All her things were out of the bathroom, and her bag was gone.
I collapsed on the bed and closed my eyes when I sat on paper that crinkled. I jumped up, grabbed it, and read her sweet note.
Quentin,
I flew back to Pittsburgh. You saved me. I hope one day you’ll understand why I had to leave, but I also hope even more that you follow your heart and your passion. Being a doctor is awesome. Forgive yourself.
Kara
No words of love. I shouldn’t expect she’d feel the same. We’d always been temporary. Maybe I’d been wrong to correct the falling in love easily part. I hadn’t deserved her.
I’d never been a provider. I wrinkled the paper to throw it away, but then decided to keep it. It was the only thing I had of her now.
I took a cold shower and checked the train times to Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. Maybe I’d stop remembering Kara if I left this room.
When night began to ascend fully into the sky, I zipped up the small bag and bought my ticket online.
It should be easy to leave. I gave the room one last look over but then dragged myself out.
However, as I descended the elevators to head to my train and check out of the hotel, my friends were all sitting on a couch.
I took a deep breath and headed over to say goodbye, but Bridget immediately asked, “What happened to Kara?”
I lost her because I took too long. My heart sank at the thought, and I pocketed my hands. “She’s gone. It’s fine.
Calliope hugged me. “No it’s not. You loved her.”
Were the secrets of my soul so obvious? My muscles tightened, but I met her gaze and asked, “Was it obvious?”
She let go of me and squeezed my cheek like I was still a boy. “To everyone but maybe her. Did you tell her?”
I cringed. “No.”
Simon slapped me on my back. “When I left Bridget and hadn’t told her I loved her, I came home to find another guy in her bedroom.”
Bridget groaned and shook her head. “He was hired to fix the wall, not to join me in bed.”
Simon stayed beside me like we were family. “I was jealous, and I hadn’t told her how I felt. If you love her, you have to tell her.”
She’d already said no to my signals. She didn’t love me back. “I need to figure out a few things first. I should get going to my parents now.”
Bridget gave him a pointed look that only Simon might understand the meaning, but it was clear to me they were deeply in love. Lucky Simon still got to have whatever he wanted. But then he said, “Look, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is a two-hour drive from here. Can we come see you tomorrow or the next day?”
More trying to save my soul? “You don’t have to come to the vineyard.”
Calliope said in a lower tone, “We want to see Blake’s grave.”
Got it. Of course. They’d flown halfway around the globe. “I’ll have a guest house set up for you.”
Then they all hugged me goodbye like we were family.
None of them blamed me. They didn’t know it was my fault the boat was missing a life vest. They also hadn’t known Cecilia and how she’d trusted me. I’d taken her for granted and killed her when I hadn’t thought she might have cancer in my initial tests.
Carelessness wasn’t attractive.
The world was pretty dark, and it wasn’t the time of day from leaving the hotel, catching the train, and walking to my family’s vineyard.
Saving Marlon’s life had been the only good thing I’d done recently.
Hours later, it was close to midnight when I opened the door to my parents’ house. My parents and grand-mère were in their night clothes but were wide awake, holding books or the remote control to the television. I dropped my bag on the floor and hugged them.
“Maman, Papa. Grand-mère.”
My father spoke first. “We’re happy to see you.”
My mother offered me a freshly baked croissant.
“Thank you,” I said. She guided us to the table for me to eat, and my father poured the wine. Once I finished, I dug out my wallet. “Grand-mère, here is your ring back.”
She placed it on the wooden table. My mother smiled at me. “Calliope said you had a new girlfriend.”
Grand-mère added, “We were looking forward to meeting her.”
I shrugged. “I lost her.”
My mother patted my hand. “How?”
As I finished, I held my tongue for