“You saw?”
“Very impressive, Scott.”
“I didn’t look stupid?”
“Not in the slightest.”
She let out a big breath.
“I should probably leave you to work,” I said.
I had seen her. That was all I wanted. All I needed for my soul to calm down. I wondered if she really felt everything the way I did.
“Oh,” Quen said, biting her bottom lip. “Well, today’s sessions are done. And —”
“Yes?”
“There’s a conference dinner tonight —”
“So you’re busy.”
“There are… families. People are bringing their… It’s not just conference delegates.”
She was getting flustered. The eloquent woman on the stage was starting to ramble, and I tried not to grin. Nervous. I made Quentin nervous.
“I see,” I said, refusing to give her an inch.
“You could stay if you want.”
“You won’t be networking?”
Her face fell, and I realised how it came across. I must have sounded like her ex, who had issues with her success.
“I mean, you won’t mind me being there whilst you network?” I clarified.
Quen looked at me for a moment before she smiled again. “Absolutely not.”
“Then I guess I could grace you with my presence and be your plus one.”
She rolled her eyes. “I am blessed.”
“Yes, you are.”
I attended the conference dinner with Quentin, and she spent the next day in sessions. When I suggested I leave her to enjoy the rest of her holiday, she asked if I had anything pressing to do.
Nothing.
Not a single thing.
I was almost certain that nothing would ever appear urgent again, as long as she was in the vicinity.
So, for the past few days, I'd trekked around the area with her, exploring the country.
Culture and history fascinated Quen. The guidebook she brought with her was a mess by the time we reached the last day — pages folded and battered from use. I was rendered useless when she refused to take any shortcuts I offered.
"I can't believe we're going home tomorrow." She sighed and perched on the edge of the bed.
A week in the sun had turned her golden skin into a richer tone, but she didn’t try to find shade. Quen was a sun seeker, and it loved her in return.
