Chapter 63 To Love Someone Like You
“So, when is Quinn arriving?” Emily asked the next day over breakfast.
They sat on the patio drinking a mix of orange and guava juice. Byron had also prepared a yogurt parfait topped with strawberries.
“He’ll arrive this afternoon and may be ready to sing for us tomorrow,” Byron said.
“I can’t wait!”
“But you have to promise you won’t run away with him,” Byron admonished. “I’m a fan of Quinn myself, so think of how terrible it would be for me to lose both my girlfriend and my country music idol all in one go.”
He was mostly joking, but perhaps there was a bit of jealousy involved on his part just like it was for Emily when she was faced with all of Byron’s pretty assistants and employees.
“I promise,” Emily said, trying to keep a serious expression, “I will not run away with a man who is old enough to be my father.”
“Never underestimate the seductive abilities of an older man,” Byron advised, “He may be getting on in years, but he’s got a wealth of experience.”
“And I believe he’s also happily married,” Emily reminded him.
“I hope so,” Byron said. “Because he’s going to be dining with us tonight.”
Quinn Faines turned out to be just as witty and easy-going in real life as he seemed on camera. Although many of his songs were about heartache, he was a cheerful guy.
“This is just like being back home in Tennessee,” he said as Byron welcomed him into the beach house. “Only you have way more parrots here.”
Being in his early fifties, he still retained some traces of his former good looks, and Emily might have seen herself being charmed by him, if she weren’t attached already. But ever since she met Byron she had never been seriously tempted by any other man.
Emily was star struck at first on seeing him, but she quickly overcame her initial shyness. Quinn was polite and engaging with Emily without being too flirty, and dinner went by with a lot of fun and laughter.
After dinner, Byron suggested drinks on the patio, and Emily was pretty sure he was over his jealousy.
“What did you think of Mr. Faines?” Emily asked when they found themselves alone in the house again.
“He’s great,” Byron said, “I really liked having him over.”
“I thought so, since you invited him to stay for drinks!” Emily said, “He’s so awesome, but not in a way that makes me want to run away with him.”
“I know that.” Byron enfolded her in a tender embrace.
The next evening Quinn Faines sang a selection of his songs for them, including many of Emily’s favorites. He even took requests. Emily asked for him to sing “To Love Someone Like You,” which was one of her favorite love songs. She had often listened to it, imagining finding a love so amazing that it was worthy of being sung about. And now, sitting there with her hand in Byron’s, she believed she had found it.
Over the next few days, their vacation continued to be magical. They invited Quinn Faines to stay on the island the whole week and had dinner with him again. They swam in the ocean and looked for wild sea turtles. They enjoyed the most delicious fruits and drinks.
One night it all came crashing down when Emily saw an unexpected email from Katie. Over the last few months Katie had become a regular art student as well as a good friend for Emily, and she was still dating Emily’s brother. The message she sent related to Nick, and it was alarming:
Hi Emily,
I hope your vacation is good, and I’m really sorry to write this. I almost decided not to email you, but it’s probably better that you should know. I’m really worried about Nick. He’s been acting weird recently... I think he might be into some hard drugs. And he hasn’t been to school in ages. Maybe you could help, or contact your parents?
I just want what’s best for him, but he’s really a mess at the moment. Sorry I don’t have better news.
Katie
Suddenly feelings of guilt surfaced. Was it irresponsible of her to leave town when she was supposed to be watching over her brother? But he seemed to be doing so well lately, and Emily had no clue how things could have gotten so out of control. She decided to talk to Byron, and even though she hated the idea of ending their vacation, she probably needed to return to Vancouver.
