Page 44 of Quinton's Quest

We smiled.

The picture turned out great.

Chapter Twelve

Leo

“I’d thought Quinton’s New Year’s party couldn’t be beaten—what with Foster and Arnav getting engaged.” Dr. Lucia Maroni patted her dark hair as we sat across from each other in the cafeteria. “But I have to say Rayne proposing to Everett was pretty amazing. Or was that Everett proposing to Rayne? It got a little muddled at the end.”

“Rayne and Everett.”There can’t be two guys with the same names.“Everett Williams?”

“Yes. Rayne’s a private investigator in Mission City. He and Everett, a lawyer, teamed up on a big case. Made the papers. Real heroic stuff.” She eyed her egg salad sandwich with some skepticism.

Okay, well, that answers that question.I’d performed surgery on Everett early last month after he’d been in a bad car accident. Now he and Rayne were engaged.Go figure.“Two engagements?”

She nodded. “Quinton has a way of getting people together.” She leaned in. “Both couples hooked up at the Halloween party.I was Barbie and Quinton was Ken. We were super adorable. Meanwhile, two couples were upstairs getting on with things.” She toyed with the crust. “And I probably shouldn’t have said anything to you.”

“I don’t know any of these people—”Well.“—so you’re hardly breaking confidences. Well, unless they asked you to be silent about the matters.” I’d opted for a ham sandwich and, after three bites, had decided the thing was quite good.

“Nope.” She poked at her sandwich.

“Would you like half of mine?” I attempted to slide my plate toward her.

She shook her head. “I think I’m just a bit more tired than I expected. I wound up being called in yesterday for a complex referral. A young woman who couldn’t wait until today. I’m glad the ER doc made the call, and I was able to get in here.”

“Not hungover?” I dipped a carrot into some creamy dressing and bit it.

“I didn’t drink at the party. I knew I was on call this weekend. In fact, there’s never a ton of drinking at Quinton’s parties. He’s got wine and beer, but most people stick to some kind of soda. And eggnog at Christmas.”

I licked my lips. “I love eggnog.”

“Eggnog is the best.” Quinton slid into a chair next to Lucia. “How’s your patient doing?”

“Dialysis seems to be working. What she really needs is a new kidney.”

“Yikes.”

“Right?” She eyed his hot dog and fries. “How can you eat like that and still stay slender?”

“Twenty-six.” He patted his stomach. “Well, Mama’s still slender.” He nudged his plate toward her.

She grabbed a fry.

“Are you telling Leo about my party?” He grinned. “Another engagement.”

A pang resounded through me. “Yes, she was.”

Lucia grabbed another fry. “Hey, who were those two guys? I didn’t recognize them.”

Quinton’s gaze flew to me.

What the hell?No doubt in my mind—guilt. Plain and simple.

“Oh, you know…” He tried to meet Lucia’s gaze.

“No, I don’t know—that’s why I’m asking.” She nabbed another fry. “You need ketchup.”

“Right. Let me just go get that.” He leapt up and was gone in a heartbeat.