French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,47
my sisters are all super busy right now, but they said they’d fly over for the holidays.”
Rambling was not your new normal. I rolled my shoulders like that might make this feeling go away.
He squeezed my ass. “I will happily help you with française.”
I smiled. This was better than I ever thought possible. “Then let’s go.”
“You want to fly today?”
I wish there was something here for us. I had nothing now. “I quit my job, and it’s going to take six months for any visa to happen. Might as well let the countdown begin, but we can get a hotel if you want.”
“We can go,” he said and offered his hand at the top of the step. “My grand-mére wants to meet you.”
His family sounded wonderful. “Okay, but let’s not talk about our bedroom activities.”
I stopped. My friend probably heard that.
Quentin continued. “She’ll probably offer pointers, but yes, let’s not ask for trouble.” As we made it to the bottom step. “Can I borrow your phone?”
“Of course,” I said and handed it over.
“Can I see your ticket?” I pulled up my wallet app and showed him. He nodded. “Let me upgrade you to first class, and you can still bring your friend, so she knows you’re safe. Is she on the same reservation?”
“Yes,” I said, and he kissed my cheek and called the airline. I returned to the kitchen and squealed to my friend. “Sabrina, Quentin and I are getting married!”
She laughed. “Yeah, I’m so happy for you. I guess today’s trip is off.”
I pointed behind me as he walked past the door well. “No. Quentin’s on the phone getting himself a ticket and upgrading ours to first class.”
Her eyes widened. “First class?”
His money just made his life sweeter, but that wasn’t important to how I felt. I lowered my voice. “His family owns this vineyard.”
She craned her neck to stare behind me. “Seriously, why doesn’t he have a brother for me?”
We waited. I’d risked everything to go and follow my heart, and he’d walked in the door.
He gave me a thumbs-up and walked out to help with the bags.
Putting everything I had on the line for Quentin had been worth it. He loved me, too.
Chapter 19
Quentin
Kara in my arms made my life complete.
Marriage only completed my life. Walking the fields with her had been good until we came here.
My parents continued taking Sabrina on the tour, but I guided Kara with me toward the marker.
As I stared down at the white marble cross with his name on it, I widened my stance. “This is Blake’s grave.”
She let go of my arm. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
I reached for her hand. “No. Stay.”
Her eyes wrinkled in a cute way. “Are you sure?”
“Oui.” I nodded, and she pressed her palm in mine. “I need to thank him for helping me find you.”
I closed my eyes, and for a few minutes I prayed. I liked to believe he heard me.
Then Kara whispered tentatively, “How?”
I opened my eyes and stared into her brown hues. “When Cecilia died and I gave up on being a doctor, I realized I had bottled up pain. I blamed myself for his death, until I talked to Simon, and he said Blake knew the life vest was at home.”
“How did you blame yourself for that?”
“I was six, and I took the life vest home instead of leaving it on the family boat.”
“I’m sorry, Quentin.”
“It’s okay. In finding you, I was able to let go.”
“He was your brother.”
I kissed her cheek. “He’d want me to be happy and to find you.” I turned away from the gravesite and stayed at her side. “Yeah. Blake had always tried to protect me. And until recently, I saw myself as a horrible, ungrateful kid.”
She gently bumped into me. “If he was anything like you, then I’m sure he was amazing.”
“Let’s go,” I said. We could come back later, but it was time to see my grandmother. I walked with her to the main house as the sun shone over our heads in the full brightness of the day.
She was beautiful and mine, now and forever. I held open the door for the main house. I heard sounds in the kitchen, and we went in.
There she was, taking chocolate croissants out of the oven. She placed them on the cooling rack as I said, “Grand-mére this is Kara.”
She took off her gloves.
Kara didn’t leave my side. “Quentin said you’ve disapproved of every girl he’s ever brought home.”
Grand-mére laughed and walked over to