Chasing Heartbreak (Dark Love #6) - Kat T. Masen Page 0,53
a good thing, Kate. This could be the moment that changes your soul forever.”
***
Charlie’s black SUV pulls up along the curb, followed by an excited wave. I hate LAX with a passion. The traffic jam of cars to the impatient people pushing through and knocking you with their suitcases. It’s been three years since I last stepped foot in California, and boy, do the awful memories come crashing like a tidal wave.
“How was the flight?” Charlie asks after loading my things into the car and giving me a tight hug.
“Exhausting.”
“You better find some energy because I’ve got three girls at home dying to suck the rest of your life away.”
Charlie isn’t exaggerating. The girls are nonstop. They have to show me everything under the sun, and on occasion, I get an “Aunty Kate, watch me!” only to watch Ava do some random jump or hop. I have no clue how both Lex and Charlie do it full-time. I’m utterly exhausted in their presence.
By dinner, I can see their faces grow tired. Amelia wants to stay up to finish watching some television show which Charlie agrees to while Lex sorts out Ava and Addison for bed.
I check my phone for what feels like the millionth time today. Still, nothing from Noah, assuming Charlie or Lex told him I was coming. I equally play my stubborn part, not contacting him because, frankly, I don’t know what to say or even how I feel. After my dinner with Emile, I thought my sentiments came out clearer. It turns out, when the champagne wore off, I was back to square one of feeling confused.
“You know, he’s home if you want to see him?” Charlie raises her eyes to meet mine.
“See who?”
Charlie’s smile fades from wary to pensive. “Noah. He texted me about some movie, asking me if it was a chick flick.”
“Oh… does he live far from here?”
“About fifteen minutes, I can give you his address?”
“No.” I grimace hopelessly. “I’m good.”
We work silently at the kitchen table putting party favors together until the pressure mounts, frustration seeps into every crevice, and I can’t take it anymore. I need closure, finality, something to make me sleep tonight.
“You know what? I’d like that address. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back soon.”
Charlie doesn’t say a word, texting me the address which appears promptly on my phone and hands me the keys to her car.
I type the address into the GPS, then remember that I’m on the other side of the road. My mind is scattered, reverting back to my English driving, giving myself a heart attack as headlights come straight at me. The road to Malibu feels longer than the fifteen minutes Charlie implied, only adding to the anxiety of it all.
The car is parked in front of his place. I hop out immediately, not giving myself time to back out, and my fist bangs on the door, louder than I should’ve allowed it to. Tapping my foot impatiently, I cross my arms until the lights come on. Noah opens the door dressed in his gray sweats and no shirt.
Shit—I’m screwed.
The direction of my eyes falls upon his perfectly sculpted chest to the six-pack of abs cut to perfection. Why does he have to be so sexy? Was he always like this?
“Kate?” His eyes widen in shock. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk.”
“You flew over here to talk?”
“No, I flew over here for Amelia’s birthday. After all, she is my goddaughter. Can I come in?”
He leans against the door in all his glory, extending his hand to welcome me in.
“Isn’t it too early for gray sweatpants season?” I mumble, averting my gaze from the noticeable bulge demanding my attention. Count to ten, take deep breaths. You can get through this.
“Gray sweatpants season?”
“Never mind,” I say while stepping into the foyer.
The condo is nothing short of stunning—a contemporary, modern space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and, of course, the most breathtaking view of the ocean. It’s not overly large but decorated with simple furniture creating a cozy feel.
“Nice place you have here.” I draw my attention back to him, though keeping my distance. “Why did you choose Malibu?”
“I wanted something near the beach, but close to Jessa. The commute to work is painful but doable.”
Inside the living room, his laptop is open to what appears to be work emails. There’s a beer on the coffee table and some movie on the screen, which is paused on a shooting scene.