French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,45
the phone.
My old life was completely over now, and my new life in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer was set to start. All that was missing was my heart.
If Kara said yes, then I’d have everything I’d truly wanted.
Chapter 18
Kara
Packing took forever. I wasn’t even sure Quentin was worth the risk.
My old boss had called to offer my position back, but I’d said no. Instead, I bought tickets, put my house up for sale, and I didn’t even know his phone number. Or if Quentin wanted more than a few days with me.
I had an address from the receipt from the hotel.
If he said no, I’d have to move on with my life.
If he said yes, well, then I’d live in his small town in France with Quentin. So, there was no need to come back.
Packing took longer than I’d hoped, but finally, I had the tickets and my entire life fit in a few suitcases and a few boxes for storage to be shipped to me.
My furniture was gone, and now all my real estate agent needed was the keys.
And I’d head to the airport.
God, I hope he was for real. If not. I’d have to deal, but it was time to put my heart on the line.
I’d never been good enough for him, but I never took this chance either. Love was worth taking a risk, even if he slammed the door in my face and said I wasn’t worthy of him.
I put my bags by the front door as the garage door closed.
This was the last time Sabrina would come in with her clicker for my house. She carried two cups of coffee and handed me one.
Everything was now in place. We’d close the door with the code, and I was done.
“Sabrina, thanks for driving me.” I put my cup down next to hers, walked her to my rather large bags, and dropped the clicker in the envelope for the realtor. As I sealed it and left it on the kitchen counter, the doorbell rang.
I stared at Sabrina and wondered if she planned something. “No problem… are you expecting your family or something?”
There went that theory. My sisters had said goodbye yesterday. I walked to the door, and my face felt tight. “It’s Marlon.”
Sabrina crossed her arms. “Let’s just get in the car and go.”
And have him follow me again? I ignored the tension in my body. “No. Let me tell him to leave.”
Sabrina became glued to my side. “I’ll go with you.”
The second I opened it, a nip in the air caused goosebumps, and I wish I had my jacket on. After what I saw in Monte Carlo, backup might be good. “Marlon, what are you doing here?”
I stared into the wrong brown eyes of a man in his black peacoat, and my shoulders slumped.
“I came to apologize,” he said. “Can I come in?”
I held the door firm, and Sabrina was right behind me. I shook my head. “We’re leaving. It’s not a good time.”
He gave a curt acceptance, and his hands went into his pockets. “I shouldn’t have drunk so much when I went to see you. I was so angry about your fling.”
Fling wasn’t how I’d describe Quentin. It’s why I dismissed him, but these past few days I’d craved him.
I’d never missed the man in front of me like this. I let out a small sigh. “What I do with my life doesn’t matter to you.”
He reached for my hand, but I took it back. “It does. I was a fool because I loved you.”
No spark rushed inside me. I held the doorknob. “Goodbye, Marlon.”
He asked fast, “That’s it?”
I stood taller. “Yeah, it is. I’m not in love with you, but good luck. Next time you’re planning a wedding, don’t cancel.”
He asked, “Where are you going?”
Sabrina tapped my back. “Don’t answer. Close the door, Kara. Goodbye, Marlon.”
I nodded. “Goodbye.” And then I did as Sabrina recommended. I stood at the door and heard Marlon’s steps on my front door porch.
Good, he was gone. We headed into the kitchen, and I settled.
I should have told Quentin I loved him. I hadn’t realized it till I’d been alone and fucking missed him, hard.
And it wasn’t only sex I missed. It was his seriousness when he wasn’t meaning to be. It was just him.
I found my passport, checked my bags and the tickets.
Sabrina said, “Let’s get your bags in the car.”
I glanced around my home for the last time but realized I’d never once cooked for anyone other than Sabrina