An Unexpected Love (Complicated Love Series #2) (20 page)

ONE MONTH LATER

This past month as been hard. When I got back from Los Angeles, I finally confessed to Joshua about what happened with Tracy and about my feelings for her. Joshua knew I was dating her, but he was shocked to discover that I had fallen in love with her. It pissed me off when he laughed and looked completely shocked that I could actually have finally fallen for someone. I didn’t think it was such a big deal, but I guess I understand why they would believe that.

I’ve finally sold the company and the downside is I’m not really sure what I’m going to do next. I have enough money to tide me over for now. Annabelle is obsessing over this damn holiday she wants us to have. She reckons it will be good for all of us, especially since Joshua told her about Tracy and me. She thinks it will be a great way for us to get together and talk shit out, but I’m not sure any more talking will do much good. She’s roped me into inviting Brandon, and he was happy about being asked. Apparently Joshua’s PA is coming too. She’s good friends with Annabelle, so she invited her along. I’ve spent most of the month drowning my sorrows and checking my phone every five minutes for missed calls or texts, but there’s nothing. I’m trying to accept that it’s over, but my heart won’t let me. I love her, and I want to be with her. I miss her so much. Maybe this holiday will be good…maybe this is how I make Tracy realize that she’s mine and will always be mine.

This last month was such a disaster. I miss him so much, and I know it’s stupid because I sent him away and said I didn’t want a relationship. The last day that I saw him was heartbreaking and I felt like such a bitch for walking away like I did. He looked so hurt and crushed. He said he wouldn’t give up on me, but I’m convincing myself that he has probably moved on. I know he’s told Annabelle and Joshua because I had an infuriated Annabelle on the phone telling me off for not telling her anything about what went on between us. We spent ages on the phone talking about everything including the miscarriage that I’d kept from her. She started crying when she thought I couldn’t trust her enough to tell her something so important and I felt so guilty. I should’ve gone to her when it happened, but I think she understood when I told her why I couldn’t tell her.

She’s so excited about this holiday she wants to have. I told her about Lily, and she wanted me to invite her. I had a massive bust-up with Lily regarding her telling Karl about the miscarriage, but I realized that it was my fault for not telling him originally. He had a right to know, and if I’d told him then, there wouldn’t have been a lie hanging over us. We had a heart to heart and I love Lily, so before too long we were back to normal.

Lily was thrilled to be included in the group holiday and she’s already buying new clothes. I’m nervous about going because I know Karl will be there, but I have to accept that he’s going to be at events from time to time. I’m looking forward to finally laying eyes on little Ella again. She’s absolutely gorgeous in the pictures that Annabelle keeps sending and I can’t wait to finally give her a cuddle after all this time. It’s hard to believe she was just a baby when I last saw her.

Since Karl left, I’ve plowed head first into work, and some nights I’ve been so tired that I have just gone straight home and straight to bed. My dreams are filled with him and the days we spent together. I can’t stop thinking about him, that’s why I have to work to occupy my mind with other things. Lily hates me for letting him leave, and she loves reminding me that I’m being stupid.

I love Karl…I really do, but that doesn’t mean a relationship would work between us. I can’t take that chance that something will go wrong and I’ll be crushed. My heart won’t take it, and I refuse to stay in a relationship like my parents, so I plaster on a smile and live my life how I always did before Karl came into it.

Work hard and party harder!

ANOTHER MONTH LATER

The holiday has finally arrived and I’m giddy with excitement. I’m packed and on my way to Heathrow. I’m meeting everyone there as Annabelle and Joshua left earlier. Joshua was getting pissed that I was taking too long and they both wanted to get there before everyone else. I flew over to stay with them before heading to wherever we are going. Annabelle has kept it a secret as she thought it would be fun. I never understand her logic. Brandon and Lily already know because they both decided to fly from Los Angeles. I’m not sure why, but they seemed to be happy doing that so we will see them when we arrive at our holiday destination.

I’m dying to know where we are going, but as long as it’s hot and sunny I’m not really bothered. I know Karl is back in the London. Joshua mentioned that he was staying with a friend. I felt a bit annoyed that he didn’t come and stay at Annabelle and Joshua’s, but I guess under the circumstances it might have been a bit awkward. The taxi pulls up outside Heathrow airport and I make my way inside. Annabelle told me to meet them at the Costa Coffee Shop so I head straight there and spot them sitting down talking. I don’t see Karl, and I’m slightly happy about that. I’m not sure what it’s going to be like seeing him again. It’s been two months since I last saw him.

“Hey, guys.” I drop down beside them and then smile.

“Are you excited about this as much as I am?” Annabelle is grinning from ear to ear and she looks happy. I was gutted when she told me that Ella wasn’t coming. She’s staying with Aunt Sylvia for the week. Annabelle never said why, but I guess it’s good for them to be together on their own for a change.

“Uh…I guess.” I plaster on a smile. “I’m going to get a drink.” Making my way to the counter, I order a pineapple smoothie. I look back at our table and notice that Annabelle has gotten up and is heading to the restroom. Joshua catches my eye and holds up his phone telling me he needs to make a call, so I nod my head.

“Here you go, Miss.” The girl behind the counter gives me my drink and I thank her before making my way back to the table. I’m suddenly really confused when I spot a white box on the table wrapped with a pink bow. I look around, but no one is paying me any attention. Placing my drink down on the table, I notice a card on the top with my name written on it.

What the hell is this?

I open the envelope and pull out the card and read the note.

My beautiful Tracy,

I have missed you so much these past two months. You’ve been on my mind constantly and I can’t stop thinking about the times we shared in Los Angeles, especially when we went to Universal Studios. I loved spending that time with you, and it made me fall in love with you even more than I already was. I do love you, and I know we’re meant to be together even though you may not think so. I vow that I will show you that there is no one else for me and that you are who I want to be with. You are mine and I am yours…forever Tracy.

Karl <3 x

P.S I hope you like your present.

P.S.S No, I’m not taking it back, and you are not allowed to give it back to me because I won’t take it.

Wow! I can’t help but smile at his message. Shakily, I unwrap the box and open the lid. My eyes nearly bug out of my head when I see what’s inside the box. I can’t believe what I’m seeing, it’s the
Guess
bag that I was fawning all over when Karl took me to Universal Studios. I can’t believe he went back and got it for me. My heart swells with the love I have for him, and I’m not sure what to do with these feelings. I’m so overwhelmed that he did this, and I know that this bag wasn’t cheap. I couldn’t afford it when I saw it, and I’m gob smacked that I’m standing here touching it.

“Do you like it?” I spin around to see Karl standing there. He smiles at me, my heart flutters just from seeing him after being away from him for two months.

“I love it, Karl…thank you.”

He smiles his charming smile and I feel like my knees could buckle at any minute.

“This is too much, I can’t accept it.”

“Of course you can, and anyway I’m not taking it back.” He closes the distance between us and I stop breathing. “You look so beautiful, Tracy.” He brushes his fingertips along my cheek and I try and let out a breath before he can say anymore. Annabelle and Joshua come barreling back.

“It’s time to go, guys. Do you want to know where we are going?”

“Of course, we do,” I reply while Annabelle squeals and bounces around, she can be such a kid sometimes.

“We are going…to the Maldives,” she squeals and claps her hands.

Well, that was not what I was expecting.

“Isn’t that an island?”

“Yeah, it is, and it’s so beautiful and romantic!”

Oh great, just what I need, to be stuck on an idyllic, romantic island with Karl. I glance at Karl and he’s looking straight at me with a smirk all over his face. It seems he’s happy with our destination. A flight number is called and Annabelle says that’s us, so we gather our things and make our way out of the Costa Coffee shop. Before I can make it very far, Karl grabs my arm.

“Hey, beautiful…what do you think about this holiday? It’s going to be good, don’t you think?”

“Sure, I guess it will be fun.”

He smiles and leans closer to me. “An island is the best place for me to show you that we are meant to be. Nowhere for you to run.”

“Can’t we just have fun…as friends?”

He chuckles and I don’t see what’s so funny. “Babe, we are more than just friends and you know it. I’m going to prove to you that we are meant to be, and we will be together, Tracy. I love you.” He grazes his lips across mine and I try really hard not to swoon and moan out loud. I don’t have time to enjoy it because he pulls away with a smirk on his face. He grabs his cases and walks out leaving me panting for more.