A Different Kind of Forever(76)

Quinn let out a short laugh. “Yes.” He glanced at Derek again. “I met her two years ago. We fell in love. I thought it would be easy, getting the divorce. Who knew there’d be such a fight? And now it appears I’ve returned too late.”

“Ah, yes. She and I were talking about him. I’ve met him, you see.”

“He’s younger, apparently.”

“Much. And quite charming. Rather attractive too, if you like the Drop-Dead-Gorgeous-Blue-Eyes type.” He stubbed out his cigarette. “Is she in love with him?”

Quinn thought. “She never said. He’s in love with her, apparently.”

“Well, that’s not the same thing at all, is it? You’ve got the upper hand here, my friend.”

“Really? And what’s that?”

“Well, you’re here and he’s not, and you know what they say about love. Location, location, location.”

Quinn chuckled. “I thought that was real estate.”

“It’s all the same, isn’t it? Every time you take the plunge, you hope it will be a perfect fit and you’ll stay forever. With real estate you pay up front, of course. With love, you pay for the rest of your life.”

“Ah, there’s that old cynicism. I thought for a moment you were getting romantic on me.”

“If you want her, make her remember. Don’t be such a bloody gentleman.”

Derek walked back into the hotel. Quinn stood outside for a long time, looking into the darkness.



Angela stopped her in the hallway on Monday. Diane was hurrying to Sam’s office, her mind racing, and she went right past Angela, only stopping at the sound of her name being called. She turned, saw who it was, and broke into a tired smile.

“Angela. I’m so sorry. I’m in another world.” She kissed Angela’s cheek. “How are you?”

“I’m great, but you look so tired. Is everything okay?”

Diane shrugged. “The play. It’s taking up a lot of time.”

“Yes, I’m sure it is. I hear that Quinn Harris has taken an interest.”

Diane raised her eyebrows and looked at Angela in surprise. “What?”

“In the play.” Angela said quickly. Then she tightened her lips. “But of course, there are all sorts of other things flying around.” Angela shrugged. “You know Merriweather. It’s like a small town. Rumors, you know?”

Diane looked at her closely. “What kind of rumors, Angela?”

“About you and Quinn. About why he’s spending so much time here.” Angela was looking at Diane steadily. Diane swallowed a rising anger.

“Don’t believe everything you hear, Angela. Quinn and I have had dinner a couple of times. That’s all.”

Angela threw up her hands. “Okay. I believe you. But you should know what’s going around.”

“Well, it’s not true.”

“Fine. I didn’t mean to upset you, Diane.”

Diane sighed. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t heard, but then, I wouldn’t, right? Thanks for telling me.” Diane squeezed Angela’s arm. “I’ve got to go. Tell everyone I said hello.”

“Okay. I will. I’ll see you later.”

Angela went back down the hall, and Diane stood, staring after her. Rumors about her and Quinn? Sam would know.

But Sam claimed ignorance. He hadn’t heard a thing, and he was in the thick of it all. Besides, why pay attention to all that anyway? He patted Diane’s shoulder and urged her to sit. There was going to be a champagne reception after the first performance. He had just found out. Since most tickets for the first performance were usually given away to faculty, important alumni, press and guests of the cast and crew, he was able to talk the hospitality committee into springing for a rather lavish spread.

Diane tried to get excited, but she was feeling uneasy about what Angela had said. She left his office determined not to see Quinn again.



Rachel called her a few days later. “Mom,” she said cautiously, “did you ever tell Emily or Meg that you and Michael were, well, together?”

Diane was startled. “No. He left for England before they came back up from the shore. Why?”

Rachel sighed. “There was a thing - on the Internet.”

“What kind of thing?” Diane asked, concerned.

“On one of the sites. Do you know who Moira MacCauley is?”