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While he talked business with a couple of friends of his, I took a seat at the bar.
“What can I get you?” the polite bartender asked.
“Tequila with a splash of lime, please.”
“Coming right up.” He smiled.
As I was sipping on my drink, I noticed a man take the seat next to me.
“I’ll have what the pretty lady is having,” he spoke with a French accent to the bartender. “May I buy you another?” A grin crossed his lips.
I studied him. Mid-forties, stylish blonde hair, which he obviously dyed, and short on the sides with a shag on top. Green eyes that had a shady look about them. Wealthy and slick. French. A player. A definite player.
“Sure. Why not.” I smiled.
“My name is Marcel Mathieu.” He extended his hand.
“Kate.” I placed mine in his and gave it a light shake.
“Why is a beautiful woman such as yourself sitting at the bar alone? If you were my wife, I would never let you out of my sight.”
Ah, he’s trying to find out if I’m single and making himself sound like a stalker.
“I’m not married.” I smiled.
“Well then, if I was your boyfriend, I would never let you out of my sight.” He gave his head a light nod.
“No boyfriend either.” I took a sip of my drink.
“I find that hard to believe.” He smirked.
“Well, believe it.” I arched my brow.
“Whom are you here with? Don’t tell me you’re at this beautiful hotel alone.”
“I’m here with Gabriel Quinn.”
“I see. Well, it was nice to meet you, Kate.” He got up from his stool.
“Nice to meet you too, Marcel. Thanks for the drink.” I held up my glass.
Was it something I said?Gabriel walked over and placed his hand on my back.
“What was that all about?” he asked.
“Marcel?” I turned my head and looked at him.
“Yes.”
“He was hitting on me, bought me a drink, and then when he found out I was here with you, he bolted. What’s going on there?”
Gabriel took the seat Marcel had sat in and asked the bartender for a bourbon.
“His father and mine were rivals. Had been for years. It started with our grandfathers.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“When my grandfather first had the idea to open a hotel, he was short the funds to do it. He and Marcel’s grandfather had been friends for years at that time. He offered to loan my grandfather the additional money he needed to open the hotel in exchange for being his business partner. My grandfather agreed and, soon after, QM Quarters was opened. At first, it didn’t do so well and was almost forced into bankruptcy after the first year.”
