That delayed the inevitable, but we both knew we weren’t forever.
My skin still had sweat on it, and this wasn’t what we wanted in our lives. I sighed. “I am tired of making life-long decisions. Let’s just enjoy the party.”
We walked through the rest of the gambling palace with crystal chandeliers and bright sconces illuminating the cream walls to the palace ballroom.
I didn’t understand the sign, but I saw his friends. We grabbed flutes of champagne, and Simon and Bridget joined us.
“What was going on out there?” Simon asked.
Quentin held me beside him. “Kara’s ex wants her back.”
Bridget said, “Shouting isn’t the way to win a woman’s affection.”
I clinked glasses with her and nodded. “Seriously. I didn’t invite him here.”
Bridget laughed with me and, for a moment, it was like I had a new friend.
As we finished our drinks, I grabbed Quentin’s hand before he brooded too much over that half-done proposal. “I like your friends, Quentin. Let’s dance.”
He guided me toward the dance floor and asked, “Are you upset we took longer here than seeing more of Italy?”
I glanced at his handsome profile and wished I was able to just forget everything in my life and believe we might fall in love. Quentin was the best man I’d ever met and probably ever would.
I’d made too many mistakes to believe there’d be more for us though. He’d marry, and I’d straighten myself out.
I swallowed back the ice in my spine and said, “It’s fine. I get to be with you today.”
His arms were around me again and all was right. I closed my eyes and followed his lead.
If I could bottle up the warm feeling inside me that I had right now, I’d have a lifetime of happiness beside Quentin.
I needed to remember Quentin as my slightly brooding, attractive, and strong boyfriend who checked off every dream quality I ever had.
As the song ended, Bridget and Simon pointed to the door after Simon checked his phone. Bridget said, “Sorry to interrupt.”
They motioned for us to join, and they set a brisk pace toward the door. “What’s going on?”
We jogged with them as Simon said, “Someone is harassing Calliope.”
Quentin held my hand as we exited the ballroom, but I as glanced over the balcony at the gambling hall below, I stopped near the stairs, and my heart raced. “Is that Marlon?”
Quentin had a quizzical gaze. “With Calliope and her husband?”
My face was hot.
Marlon threw his hands in the air to punch Nigel.
I’d brought this disaster into their lives.
Nigel knocked him back with knuckles to his chin, knocking him over.
I cringed. If he hadn’t followed me, Quentin’s friends would be fine.
My body tensed. This was all my fault.
Simon led the charge toward the stairs so we could join them. “Damn I didn’t know Nigel had that in him.”
I didn’t realize how weak Marlon was, but I steeled my shoulders. I’d fix this.
Quentin nodded. “The police will arrest him. There is certain behavior expected in a casino.”
Marlon jerked up and pushed out, almost knocking Nigel over, but Calliope lunged with her leg and kicked him back down. Bridget suppressed a shocked giggle. “Yoga teacher for the win.”
When we made it to the stairs, I pressed my hand to my heart.
Marlon’s head was bleeding, and I squeezed Quentin’s hand. “He’s hurt.”
He let me go and flew down the stairs. I called out, “Quentin!”
Simon and Bridget were right behind him.
I joined Calliope and Nigel who spoke to the police for a moment, but then I heard Quentin as he said, “Right. We need to wrap his head and get him to the hospital.”
I glanced at the heavy mahogany table and the sharp corner he must have hit when he went down.
I also heard Nigel telling the police that Marlon was drunk and about to attack his wife for stating he needed to leave her alone. Then he had his hands folded in front of him and said, “Quentin, Simon, this guy came out of nowhere and assaulted my wife.”
“It’s a head wound,” Simon said fast. “He’s lost consciousness.”
For my next screw up in life, I should probably take self-defense classes from Calliope. One kick knocked him out. But the bigger part of me ached that he attacked these good people because I was an idiot.
I never saw him drunk or angry like this at home, other than the occasional road rage where he stepped on the gas to somehow prove his manliness. Maybe that should have been a clue, but my goodness… What would my life have turned into if I’d actually married him?
Bridget used towels from the bathroom she somehow managed to find and tied his head as paramedics arrived.
Quentin then spoke in fast French where I basically heard médecin and Marlon’s name.
Marlon’s eyes opened, and he stared at Quentin. “That fucking doctor can’t help me. He’s the asshole who stole my life.”
Boy, I knew how to pick ’em. This was all on me. I closed my eyes and somehow wished I could stop myself from ever going out with Marlon.
Quentin helped him get onto the aluminum stretcher. “I took what was offered. Next time be a man if you want to keep a good woman.”
A moment later the paramedics pushed him away. I swallowed, and when Quentin came back to my side, I said, “You helped save him.”
He glanced at me, and his face was white. “I didn’t.”
I hugged him. He saved me from disaster. He helped save Marlon who, hopefully, calmed down on his own and moved on with his own life. He was a hero. “Quentin, you’re a gifted doctor. You need to live up to that.”
Quentin stared at Simon and Calliope. “I’m a doctor because I couldn’t save my brother or my family. I thought I could help others avoid what happened to me, but I can’t.”
His friends were right. Giving up on his dreams was a disaster. “Sure you can,” I said. “You did today. I’m sure you figured out countless patients’ problems.”
He took both hands of mine in his and shook his head. “Don’t try to save me, Kara. I’m not worth it.”
“Yes, you are. It’s why everyone’s here. You’re amazing.”
The words flew out of my mouth. Quentin deserved the best. I might not be his forever, but he needed to follow his own path.
He let me go. “I have to go.”
And then he walked up the stairs, alone.
My insides twisted as I watched him leave. I was broken now. I’d pushed away the only man I’d ever truly loved.
Chapter 15
Quentin
I aimlessly walked for hours. The beach had no answers, but my skin was all pins and needles and adrenaline kept me out there.
Kara’s face haunted me, but I wasn’t sure what to say.
Everyone there tried to get me to be a doctor. My plan to go back to the vineyard was good. My parents expected me.
And I failed Cecilia. I couldn’t forget that, ever.
Desiree’s legal suit against me haunted my nights, and I’d lost the ability to breathe for months.
It hadn’t mattered that the inquisition had found me not guilty of any wrongdoing; I hadn’t. Cecilia and Blake were dead because I’d been careless.