A Complicated Summer of Love (Complicated Love Series #3)
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Authors: D M Midgley
Complicated Love Series Book Three
D.M. Midgley
A Complicated Summer of Love
Complicated Love Series Book Three
D.M. Midgley
Copyright 2015 D.M. Midgley
All Rights Reserved
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, real people, and real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the Author’s imagination and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, organizations or places is entirely coincidental.
All rights are reserved. This book is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the express written permission of the Author. All songs, song titles and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.
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Swish Design & Editing
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Swish Design & Editing
Cover design by
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Cover Image Copyright 2015
To my amazing Mum and Dad who have always been supportive, loving and wonderful parents.
I’m so lucky to have you!
I can’t believe that I’m releasing my third book. I never thought that I could do this and without my support network helping and supporting me through, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love.
My awesome designer and wonderful editor, Kimberly E Osborn and Kaylene Osborn are two of those people. Thank you so much for everything you do. You go above and beyond for me and you both always give me advice that I treasure.
My family are the best family I could possibly ask for. They are always supportive and never afraid to give me their opinions. You encourage me to keep doing what I love. Thank you so much.
Thank you to my fan group. You guys are amazing and I couldn’t ask for anything better. You always make me feel loved and you all make me smile. You rock!
Thank you to you, the readers. You always make me smile when reading your reviews and messages that I have received about my books. It makes me want to continue on and I will always love you all for that. I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.
SATURDAY
The weather is gorgeous and I’m not exactly sure why I decided to bring any clothes because it’s sweltering. I’m constantly sweating, but I don’t care because it’s absolutely magical here. We are here for one week in the Maldives and I’m so excited. We’re staying at this gorgeous resort made up of straw thatched roof huts. They’re actually called water bungalows because they hover over the Indian Ocean with pylons running straight down into the water. There’s also a large deck that connects them to the island.
Annabelle and I squealed with excitement when we saw that there were Jacuzzis in each bungalow. It worked out that Annabelle and Joshua have their own, while Maddison, Lily and I share one, and Brandon and Karl share the other. They’re all next to one another, and we have our own private area because all the other bungalows are unoccupied. I don’t know if Annabelle arranged it like that, but I really do like the quiet, tranquil atmosphere.
It’s late afternoon on the first day and I’ve been sitting here for about two hours now on a white sun lounger with a book, facing the gorgeous sparkling blue ocean. I’m so glad that I bought loads of bikinis with me. It’s so hot, and I really want to go home with a tan. I usually find it hard to tan and usually just burn, but I’m determined, so hopefully lying here in the sun will pay off. Annabelle sits down beside me.
“Oh, this heat is killing me.” She fans herself with her hand. I chuckle thinking that her hand waving can’t be helping that much.
“But it’s beautiful here. You chose well.” She smiles.
“Yes, I did, didn’t I?” She seems rather pleased with herself. “Have you talked to Karl much?” She raises her eyebrow and has a wicked smirk on her face.
“We only got here yesterday. I can’t say we’ve had much time to talk. We had chatted a bit before we got on the plane, but we didn’t really discuss much.” I don’t want to tell Annabelle about the note or what Karl said to me because as far as I’m concerned it’s private and between us.
“Well, I reckon you’ll have plenty more chances.” She has that devilish smile on her face again.
“I know you planned that whole thing yesterday. You nipping to the bathroom, and Joshua taking a phone call. You knew that Karl was going to give me that gift.” I point my finger at her and she chuckles. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you knew what it was too.”
“Okay, okay, your right! But I knew you’d love it, and what a way to start your holiday. He really loves you…you know? I don’t understand why you can’t be together.”
I sigh feeling like no one listens to me. “Because it wouldn’t work. I don’t want a relationship, and you know why. Plus, Karl will get bored and move on. I’m just a passing phase to him.” I realize what I am to him. I can’t be anything else. As soon as he’s had enough he’ll move on and my heart will break. I’m just not sure if I’m strong enough to go through that.
“You’re being silly. Just because your parents’ marriage didn’t work doesn’t mean you’re going to end up like them. You two are entirely different and look at Karl now. He’s changed his ways
for you.
Joshua told me that Karl keeps saying that you
will
be his girl, and he doesn’t want anyone else.”
I know he keeps saying it, but I don’t know if I believe it. I’m scared it’s going to go wrong, and I love him too much that I know I won’t walk away from him. It would be a lot easier if he just wanted to be friends, but I doubt that will ever happen. I can’t talk about it anymore because these thoughts keep going round and round in my head all day every day as it is, so I change the subject.
“We haven’t seen each other in like forever, so tell me how you and Joshua are?” She frowns and looks anywhere but at me. “Annabelle…what’s wrong?” She sighs.
“Oh, it’s nothing…not really.” She bites her lip and I know she wants to say something.
“Come on, it’s me you’re talking to. I know you, and I know when you are down about something. You can tell me…you know you can.”
“It’s just so different since Ella was born.” She closes her eyes and leans her head back on the chair. “Joshua is working loads of hours now, and I know he’s doing it for us, but I miss him. He goes to work early in the morning and he doesn’t arrive back home until late in the evening. I keep trying to tell him that he doesn’t need to work all the time, but it always ends in an argument. I love him so much for wanting to take care of us, but he’s missing out on Ella growing up and we don’t…” She trails off and I’m confused as to what she was going to say.
“What?”
Her eyes become glassy and I know she’s trying to stop herself from crying.
“We don’t have sex anymore!” I stare at her wide-eyed. “We never have time now, and I’m frustrated beyond belief. I try to seduce him, but he’s always tired and cranky. I’m scared he doesn’t want me anymore and that we’re losing our spark.”
“Don’t think that. You know Joshua loves you, and I know that he wants you and Ella.” A few tears fall from her eyes and she quickly wipes them away.
“I know he does, but I just want us to get our spark back. I know we aren’t newlyweds anymore. This is why I wanted to book this holiday, to get everyone together and hopefully to finally put Joshua and I back on track and to have some time to ourselves.”
I smile. “Well, you definitely have a beautiful and romantic setting surrounding you for your little mission.” She giggles and I’m glad that I made her smile.
“Yeah, it’s like a mission, isn’t it?” She giggles again. “Maybe you and a certain somebody will use the romantic setting to their advantage—”
“Oh, don’t start.” I put my book down and stare out across the ocean.
“Okay, fine…I’m shutting up.”
It’s so obvious that she’s on Karl’s side, and I reckon I’ll be getting these little talks regularly throughout this holiday.
“Look who’s on his way to us.”
I look over toward the water bungalows and spot Karl making his way to us in a pair of board shorts and no top. My God, my mouth as gone instantly dry. I notice he’s carrying two cocktails in his hands. My eyes lock with his and he gives me the most charming smile that makes my heart flutter. He still has that uncanny knack where he gives me one look and I immediately feel hot all over.
“Hey, ladies. I’ve bought you both a cocktail.” He gives one to Annabelle and explains that it’s called a Blue Maldives and contains White Rum, Blue Curacao, Baileys and pineapple juice. It’s pale blue in color and decorated with a slice of pineapple and a cherry on top. It looks absolutely delicious, but I notice I have a different one. Mine is bright pink in color starting at the bottom of the glass and the pink fades to white at the top. It has a small piece of pineapple wedged on the side of the glass with a green cocktail cherry. Karl smiles before handing it to me.
“And for you, My Lady, this is called a Maldivian Lady. It’s made with Bacardi, Apricot, Grenadine syrup, orange and pineapple juice.”
“Sounds delicious, thanks.” I take a sip and it’s gorgeous. So sweet and very refreshing. “Thank you.” Karl smiles his most charming smile.
“Anything for you, My Lady.” He always makes me blush and I hate it. He notices too and gives me a wink before walking back toward the bungalow. I can’t help noticing his tight ass and his muscular back that’s glistening in the sunshine. He’s so hot, and I’m lost in thoughts of us being together. The memories are so vivid, and I wish I were back there in his arms. But I can’t knowing that he wants more than I’m willing to give. It’s stupid to think like this when I love him. My parents have me anxious about any sort of relationship, and I do wish that I was strong enough to just say
“screw it”
and commit to him. Annabelle clears her throat and snaps her fingers in front of my face. I look at her and she’s smirking.
“Welcome back, I wondered where you’d gotten to. I can’t believe you’re sitting here checking him out without him knowing!” She giggles at my embarrassed expression. “Clearly you love him, and obviously he loves you, so I don’t get why you can’t be together?”
“It’s complicated…” She knows about my parents’ marriage, but she doesn’t get why it should make a difference to my life.
“Well, it’s going to happen one way or another. I can see that you two belong together.” She stands up and drinks the rest of her cocktail. “I’m going for a swim, do you want to come?”
I shake my head. “Nah, it’s okay. I want to stay here and read the rest of my book.”
“Okay, suit yourself.” She runs toward the water and I watch her trying to swim lengths. I’m not really keen on swimming in the ocean. I love how beautiful it is, and I find the ocean very calming, but that’s as long as I don’t have to get in it. I glance around, and I don’t see anyone else. I have no idea where Brandon, Lily, or even Maddison are. I saw them last night and at breakfast this morning and then they all disappeared.
I continue reading my book until I hear a shout, so I look up to see Joshua and Karl racing toward the water. They’re like a couple of kids at times. I giggle when Karl slips and falls face first into the sand. He looks funny sprawled out on his front. He scrambles up, but Joshua is already in the water cheering about winning. He grabs Annabelle, who’s laughing at their antics and crushes his lips to hers. I smile at their display of affection. Maybe Annabelle will get that itch scratched that she so desperately desires. I laugh at that thought before noticing that Karl is looking over at me. He gives me a little wave before making his way into the water and splashing Annabelle and Joshua while they’re making out. I laugh when they spring apart. Annabelle looks furious, but she soon relaxes when Joshua starts splashing Karl. It becomes a full on water fight when Annabelle joins in. I shake my head at their antics and continue reading my book.
I’m nearing the end of my book when I hear my name being called. I look up to see Annabelle waving me over.
“Tracy, come on! We’re going to play beach volleyball.” Karl and Joshua have raced off, and I assume they’re off to find a net and a ball. “Let’s do girls versus boys.”
I guess a game wouldn’t hurt, so I close and place my book down on my chair before making my way across to Annabelle. It’s day one and it’s about time we start this holiday.
“Come on then. Let’s show these boys what we’ve got!”