An Unexpected Love (Complicated Love Series #2) (11 page)

A few days have passed and I haven’t seen or heard anything from Karl. I didn’t expect to, and I should be happy, but I’m not. I’m angry with the way he treated me, but I don’t hate him. Seeing him again was hard. All these feelings came rushing back from that night. Not the bad feelings, but the good feelings I experienced with him. He cherished and worshiped my body. He surprised me with his caresses and touches and the way he played with my hair. It was amazing, and I can’t help wanting it again…wanting him again.

I haven’t spoken to Brandon since he dropped me home after dinner that night. I’m really struggling with how to cope with this relationship between us or whatever this
thing
is. I need to sit down with him and talk properly. We’re not supposed to be together, and he doesn’t know that I know about his secret meetings with women for sex. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he has dropped me off and then hooked up with someone else. The big sign to me that we are not meant to be together is that I don’t actually care. I really need to meet with him and break it off.

Today I’m back at work, so I make myself some jam on toast and a coffee for breakfast and take a lovely hot shower before dressing in my pinstriped trouser suit. I’m just heading out the door when my cell rings. I rummage around in my bag and pull it out to see Annabelle calling. I haven’t spoken to her in a while.

“Hey, Annabelle.”

“Hey, you…how are you? It’s been so long since we last spoke. I miss you.” I shut and lock my door while talking to Annabelle and I decide to walk to work.

“I miss you too! How is my favorite girl?” She giggles and she knows who I’m talking about.

“Ella is doing fine. She’s growing up so fast and she’s a little terror now because she’s walking.” I laugh and smile. I really miss that cute, sweet girl so much. I miss a lot being here. I did go back when Ella was born, but lucky for me I managed to avoid Karl. I got to see Ella when she was first born and she was the most precious thing I’ve ever seen. It was really hard, as it was after my miscarriage. I remember how hard it was having to keep my composure around her. I didn’t want to have to tell Annabelle about the miscarriage because she would pester me about the father and I couldn’t have her finding out about me and Karl.

“I’m glad she’s doing well. How is Joshua and Aunt Sylvia doing?”

“Yeah, they are both good. Joshua is super busy with work so he’s hardly home at the moment. Aunt Sylvia has been over quite a bit, helping me with Ella, so it’s been good to have her here with me. Joshua is feeling guilty for being at work so much, but I keep telling him not to worry.” She laughs and asks the question I really didn’t want her asking.

“So…the last time I spoke to you, you told me that you thought you had found the one…”

Oh God! Why did I have to say that? In my defense, I did have a lot to drink when she phoned me. I didn’t want her worrying or telling me that I was being stupid being with someone that I didn’t want like that.

“I was drunk the last time I spoke to you.” I try to laugh it off, but Annabelle won’t let it go.

“Oh, no you don’t, lady. Who is he, and why don’t I know anything about him?”

I really don’t want to have this conversation now, as I’m not sure what to say to her. My love life is so confusing right now and fortunately for me, I reach QD fashion.

“Sorry Annabelle, I have to go. I’m at work. I’ll call you soon.”

“But…” I end the call before she can say anything more. I’m being mean, but I can’t speak to her about my love life because I’m scared about what I will end up telling her. I look at my watch while walking through reception and notice that I have a minute to get to my desk. Instead of waiting for the lift I hightail it up the stairs.

Finally making it to my floor, I check my watch. I knew what it was going to show…I’m late again. It doesn’t matter how late I am. I could be a minute late and Mrs. Davies would give me an earful. I race toward my desk feeling sweaty from running up the stairs and I must look a mess heavily panting. I have a stitch in my side that’s so painful, and it makes me think that I really should start exercising. I don’t think dancing at clubs actually qualifies as exercise. I see Mrs. Davies perched on my desk with her arms folded. She looks so pissed and I’m going to regret this.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Davies.” I skirt around her to put my bag under my desk.

“What is your excuse this time, Miss Campbell? I’m beginning to get really sick of you thinking you can waltz in when you feel like it.”

“My friend Annabelle phoned from London and we got talking. I haven’t spoken to her in a while and I completely lost track of time. I was talking to her on my way to work and I didn’t think I’d be late, but I must’ve left later than I thought—”

Mrs. Davies puts her hand up and I shut up straight away. “Okay, I don’t really care about your excuse. You will stay an hour later tonight to make up for the time you’ve lost.”

An hour?
I look at my watch and see I’m only fifteen minutes late.
This is ridiculous.

“An hour? Come on, I’m only fifteen minutes late.”

She smirks at me before standing up and stepping back from my desk. “An hour, Miss Campbell.” She doesn’t say anything else but walks off quickly back to her office. I sit down in my chair and rest my head in my hands.
What a bitch!

“Hey, you’re in trouble again with Dragon Lady.” I raise my head and see Lily standing by my desk.

“Yeah…you know me. Late again.”

“Ouch! So how many hours extra do you have to work tonight?” Lily knows that this is Mrs. Davies only way of showing her authority.

“I have to stay behind and work for an extra hour.”

For some reason, Lily finds this amusing and bends over laughing. “Oh, poor, Tracy. I can’t remember the last time you didn’t stay behind.” She laughs again and I see tears at the corners of her eyes.

“Okay, I suck at time management. Maybe I should take a course.” Lily straightens up and snaps her fingers.

“Ah, what a great idea. I’ll suggest to Mrs. Davies that she should enroll you in a time management course.” She smirks and I’m suddenly deadly serious.

“You wouldn’t dare!”

She smirks again, turns on her heels and walks toward Mrs. Davies office.

“Lily, get back here!” I whisper shout. She giggles and walks back over.

“You should’ve seen your face. Classic!” She laughs. “I wouldn’t do that to you.” I rest my head in my hands again and let out a big sigh.

“Tell you what, let's go out tonight? After the hectic day you’re about to have, I say you’re going to need it.” She does make a good point and after that disastrous dinner a few nights ago, I’m willing to drink the night away and forget everything.

“Okay, sounds great. Meet at mine, say 8:00 p.m.?”

“Awesome…have a fun day!” she sarcastically says as she walks back to her own desk. I turn my computer on and start going through my work schedule. I really hope this day gets better.

My God, my whole day got a lot worse. Mrs. Davies didn’t like any of my designs, and I had to go over all of them again and make changes. She can be such a bitch, but I’m not quite sure why. When I first moved here I did try to befriend her, but she’s always closed off and once I did see Mrs. Davies arguing with her husband, Quinton Davies. He is the
‘actual’
boss of the company, but he never comes into the office much. When Quinton married Mrs. Davies, there was a company e-mail that said she was going to be the manager on my floor and would handle everything that happened here. Before Mrs. Davies, it was a lot easier going and the manager was in and out when he pleased. I do understand why he got fired, but I don’t like that Mrs. Davies replaced him because she can be such a dragon. I’ve never connected with her, and she doesn’t seem to want to get to know anyone in the building. She always keeps to herself and even eats alone in her office. She’s our boss, but there isn’t a written rule that says she can’t sit with us at break time or even lunch time. It doesn’t help that I’m awful with getting to work on time and even if I set an alarm, I can still be late. Maybe Lily is onto something, perhaps I do need to do a time management course.

The extra hour I had to do was terrible. It was only me and Mrs. Davies so it was silent and she didn’t even talk to me once. I was glad when my time was up, and I could gather my bag and leg it out of there.

Now I’m back in my apartment getting ready for my night out with Lily. I’m really looking forward to it and I just want to get out and get drunk. I’m slipping into my black knee high boots when my cell starts ringing and Brandon’s face is staring back at me.

“Hello.”

“Hey, baby. How are you?” I sigh because I need to speak to him about
us.

“I’m okay. Had a shit day at work, but I’m getting ready to head out with Lily to a club.”

“Oh, that sounds nice.” Brandon never asks to join me because he’s not the club type. He’s more a quiet night in, or a dinner and a movie kind of guy. “Well, have a good evening. Listen, I would like to talk…about us.”

I’m suddenly feeling anxious about this conversation and I’m wondering if he wants the same conversation that I want. “If you’re not too busy maybe we could meet up for a coffee tomorrow morning? It doesn’t need to be too early if you’re going out tonight.”

“Yeah, sounds good, Brandon. I’ll meet you tomorrow around 10.30 a.m.?”

“That sounds great, see you at Café Luma. Bye.” He ends the call before I can reply. I do love Café Luma. He sounded really nervous on the phone and now I’m suddenly nervous about what he wants to talk to me about. Surely it can’t be anything to do with taking any steps forward or committing more.

Oh my God, what if he wants me to move in with him?
No that can’t be it surely.

Shaking my head, I decide not to worry about it tonight. I go back into my bedroom and find my black strappy sandals that always go perfectly with my black dress. Twisting my hair up into a bun, I pull a few strands out to frame around my face. I look in the mirror and I’m looking pretty hot, so I apply a bit of makeup just to make my face look flawless, or as perfect as I can make it look, before rummaging around to find my bright red clutch. I hear a knock on my door and I know it’s Lily when she shouts through the door.

“Come on, girl, let’s get going.” I roll my eyes and shake my head while shoving my purse and cell inside my clutch and cram some lippy and mascara in too.

“What are you doing in there? Come on! The cab is waiting.” I rush out of my bedroom and open my apartment door.

“Okay, I’m ready.” Lily puts her arm in mine and drags me toward the taxi. Having no idea where we’re going, and Lily won’t tell me, so I settle in the taxi and look forward to our night out.

The taxi pulls up outside Club Nokia and I’m buzzing with excitement. We have to get in line and I’m bouncing up and down with pure elation. Lily is already chatting to a guy in front of us who’s looking anywhere but into Lily’s eyes. I’m sure he was looking at her breasts for a solid ten minutes. He’s a good looking guy, but he’s too cute. I don’t think Lily really cares as she’s completely forgotten about me and is wrapped around him. Shaking my head at her as she’s always like this when we’re out, I wait patiently.

Once upon a time I used to be like her. Annabelle used to get annoyed with me ditching her for a guy, and in the end she was used to it. In some ways, I envy her because she’s so carefree and loves her life. She’s a good friend to me and I love how she is. I really wish I could tell Lily everything that’s happened since I moved here. Lily knows I’ve been through something, but she doesn’t know the facts and it makes me guilty that I haven’t opened up to her about my past or about Karl and Brandon. I’ve kept my whole life, since moving to Los Angeles, from my best friend. It plagues me every day, but I don’t want them worrying about me and I certainly don’t want Karl finding out about my secret.

“Well, well, well, look who’s here.” I close my eyes when I hear the husky, masculine voice. Glancing to my side, Karl is beside me. He grins and I hate my body for reacting to his gorgeous smile.

“What are you doing here?” I can’t believe I’ve run into him here.

“I’m guessing doing what you are. I’m here to have fun. Brandon was boring the pants off me watching some stupid comedy film, so I decided to get in a taxi and see what the nightlife has to offer.”

“Why this club? Did you know I was here?” It’s the only explanation, but I don’t remember telling Brandon I’d be at this particular club tonight.

“Maybe it was fate,” he whispers in my ear and I shiver from his warm breath.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t know you’d be here…I just came to have a good time.”

“I’m definitely up for a good time!”

Lily appears beside Karl and drapes her arm around his shoulders. “Who may I ask are you?” Karl seems very amused by Lily and I can’t help but glare at her.

“I’m Karl, beautiful, and you are?” He doesn’t seem to mind Lily having her arm around him, but it’s definitely bothering me.

“I’m Lily. I work with Tracy at QD Fashion.” She bats her eyelashes.

“Well, Lily, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He kisses her cheek and she goes a light shade of red. Before anything else can be said the line starts moving forward. I can’t wait to get inside and have a drink, and it especially isn’t helping that Karl has wrapped his arm around Lily and is guiding her into the club. We stop at the cloakroom to check in our jackets before making our way inside the club.

The thing about LA clubs is they’re always packed to the brim and this club is no different. Karl turns around and asks us both what we’d like to drink. I order a double vodka and lemonade and Lily goes for a Blue Lagoon cocktail. We see him make his way to the bar and we grab onto each other and look for a place to sit, stand or whatever we can do in this cramped place. I notice some tall tables and stools dotted around the outside of the room and one becomes available, so I tap Lily on the shoulder and point at it. She nods her head and drags me along to the table. We hoist ourselves up on to the stools. I like being higher up so I can see a little bit better.

“Karl is an absolute hottie, Tracy. He let me into a secret that you haven’t told me about. Why have you been holding out on me?” I feel dread creeping through me.

Evidently he hasn’t told her that we slept together?

Oh no!

What if he has?

My palms feel sweaty and my heart rate has increased. I know we only slept together the one time, but if he has told her about it, then it will lead to questions that only Lily would think to ask. She would want all the details, and I hate that night and how I felt when I found him gone.

“I…d…don’t k…know what y…you m…mean,” I stutter. Lily frowns at me and I really wish I had my drink right about now. She stares at me like she’s assessing my reaction to her question. I try to keep composed.

“Oh come on, Tracy. Karl told me that he knows you from London. You never said that he was Joshua’s best friend.” I feel relieved that that’s all she knows.

“I’m sorry. I only just found out that he was over here a few nights ago when he turned up with a date to dinner with me and Brandon.”

“Hang on a minute. Why was he meeting you for dinner if you didn’t know he was over here?” I knew she was going to ask questions.

“Um…He’s Brandon’s stepbrother.”

She gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. “No freaking way! Well, I didn’t see that coming.”

“Yeah, it was a shock to me too.” Karl appears in front of us with our drinks and places them down on the table. He has what appears to be a beer for himself.

“So, what have I missed ladies?” He has his charming smile plastered all over his face, and I feel the butterflies taking flight in my stomach.

“We were talking about you two knowing each other...” He glances at me and I see a smirk pass across his lip.

“Yep, we’ve known each other a while, haven’t we Tracy? We met each other at Annabelle and Joshua’s wedding.” I sip my drink and watch as Lily and Karl talk about Karl’s business in Oxford and about Brandon. I’m slightly uncomfortable with the way Lily keeps touching Karl’s arm every chance she gets. I know she’s a flirty person, but it’s rubbing me up the wrong way. I hate feeling like this toward Karl, but as soon as I saw him at dinner that night those feelings resurfaced with a vengeance. I don’t know what it is about Karl, but he certainly does something to me.

“Why isn’t Brandon out tonight?”

“It’s not really his scene.”

“Oh, how boring! I really need to meet this guy sometime.” She tips her head back and takes a massive gulp of her cocktail.

“I’m sure you will sometime. He’s really great and a very caring guy. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t like this scene, it’s good to like different things. He’s so romantic, and I like being with him. He makes me laugh with his funny impressions.”

“Whoa, okay there. I was only saying…” She laughs and takes another gulp of her cocktail.

She definitely wants to get hammered tonight. Karl is sitting quietly beside Lily. He doesn’t look very happy, and he hasn’t looked in my direction. I turn to ask him if he is okay, but he stands up.

“I’m just going to the restroom. Be back in a minute, ladies.” He quickly walks away and I’m left wondering what’s up with him.

“Tracy?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you mind if I asked Karl to dance?”

I don’t understand why she’s asking me.
I’m not really sure what my answer is, but something in me doesn’t like the idea. I can’t tell her that because I shouldn’t care. I plaster on a fake smile.

“Go for it! Why would I mind? It’s none of my business.”

I’m feeling sick to my stomach and I’m not enjoying feeling like this.
What is wrong with me?
Lily squeals beside me and I smile back at her when she takes another gulp of her drink. I sip my drink while Lily dances around in her seat. Karl is back with more drinks. He got us the same as before but also a bright pink shot each too. It looks really yummy. We all raise them in the air and shout cheers before necking the shots.

“Come on, Stud Muffin, you’re coming to dance with me.” Karl looks at me before Lily grabs his hand and drags him to the dance floor. I told her that this was fine and I’m trying not to be bothered by it. Watching Lily pull Karl to the middle of the dance floor, she wraps her hands around his neck. I watch her lean in and whisper something in his ear. He laughs and smiles that panting dropping smile he masters so well. Pulling her closer to him, I suddenly feel morbid. His hands are on her ass and he is squeezing and grinding against her. Lily is doing her flirty hair flip as she turns around so her ass is against his crotch. They both look like they are enjoying themselves and all I can do is stare at them. I don’t want to see this, but my eyes won’t move from the scene playing out in front of me.