French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,42

but then returned and fought with Napoleon as generals. The family claimed lands in the south. Started a vineyard and their wines sell around the globe. I jumped out of my seat. “What the fuck… This isn’t a vineyard, it’s a global empire.”

And aristocratic at its heart. My lineage wasn’t nearly so fancy. My ancestors were survivors, not castle dwellers.

My heart pounded now. He was rich. I should just search him out. I typed the obvious as it came to me, Quentin La Trimouille. Doctor.

The articles were sparse but basically all read the same, Engaged to Cecilia Le Champs. Award-winning doctor.

I clicked his ex’s picture. She really did look like the French beauties of the movies. Small, childlike wonder in the eyes, all black outfit.

I’d never be anything like her. I closed the screen. “I shouldn’t have looked this up anyhow.”

Searches only made my heart hurt.

I headed to my kitchen and opened the wine drawer. I took out my red and laughed as I saw the name, Trimouille, printed on my bottle. I told the picture that must be his vineyard, “Oh look, you’re here. I stocked you in my wine shelf, and I didn’t once connect these dots.”

I poured a glass and saluted the air around me with a toast. “Well, Quentin, you’re probably the best man I’ll ever meet in my life. I am in love with you, and I’m a fucking idiot for not telling you.” I pulled the glass closer and said, “Salut” like he was here.

And then I sipped. From now on, this was all I had—this emptiness in my soul. I could buy every bottle at the store with his name on it. Maybe someday I’d feel better about coming home.

This was my life, right? Living happily ever after with a rich, handsome doctor and moving to France wasn’t an option. I’d walked away.

Chapter 17

Quentin

My parents had seemed excited this morning. Every other time my brother Blake was ever mentioned, the next day was an awkward morning when we discussed our headaches.

Today we’d spoken about politics and world affairs like we had answers to the world problems. This meant instead of isolating themselves, they’d read the news and formed opinions.

After coffee and croissants and fruit, I headed into town. I read the doctor’s files in his office as he saw a woman in the adjoining room about her wrist.

People from a hundred kilometers or more came here to see the closest doctor. Our small town was the closest place to be seen, and if I didn’t take over… my grandmother, my parents, their neighbors, and friends were without any healthcare, except maybe someone who telecommuted in.

As the patient left, I remembered Kara’s note. She’d hoped I’d be a doctor and maybe she’d like this. Saving Marlon gave me hope that I might help others again.

The older doctor with white hair came back, and I shook his hand. “I’ll start working with you next week.”

His huge smile shone in clear relief. “I’m sure everyone will be grateful that you’re here now. We’re a small town, but our people need you.”

Good. It was done. I pressed my hand to my heart as the paperwork would take time. “We’ll work together next month, so you can introduce me.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

I headed to the door. Honestly my shoulders were a little lighter.

Being a doctor was all I ever saw myself as for years.

Since leaving Paris… I’d been an idiot. The only good thing that happened to me was Kara, and I let her slip away.

I walked slowly through the vineyards I used to race through as a boy.

The air was fresh here. If I were a better man, I’d be on a plane, begging the woman I love to marry me.

As I arrived, I opened the door to tell my parents. “Maman. Papa—J’e—” I swallowed and stared into the familiar bright blue eyes of an old friend. I blinked and asked, “Simon, you must have left early?”

“We did.” He stood from my mother’s dining room table. “Quentin, you weren’t here when we arrived. Bridget, Calliope, and Nigel are taking a tour of the vineyard.”

I quickly noticed his coffee cup was finished, and my mother had more prepared. I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured us both another cup. “I’m glad you’re here. I needed to thank you.”

“For what?”

“A couple things…” I relaxed and wished Kara was somehow here, too. But she was in America, forgetting about me. I leaned closer. “The pep talk the other day.”

His eyes