Something Forever (16 page)

Chapter 2
1

Matthew

It had
only been less than a week, but I missed Becca like crazy. Feeling like there was something left unsaid, and like we weren’t together, didn’t give me any comfort either. Her messages, which were always short and to the point, didn’t help. Something was wrong. There was nothing I could do being so many miles away; I would have to wait until I got back.

It was strange to be
in a country that had the opposite weather. The memo I’d read before packing said that it would be cooler. Thank goodness I’d brought a thicker coat. Before I left Los Angeles the weather was warm, seventy-five degrees, but it was freezing cold here. I had to admit, their accent amused me and I purposely asked a lot of questions just to hear them speak. My co-workers and I were heading to dinner, but just before I left I texted Becca.

What are you doing?

I’m
in London now.

I
feel like I’ve been gone a long time.

We’ll see each other soon.

You’re not running away, are you?

No
.

You want to talk on the phone?

I have things to do.

Now?

Yes. We can talk when I get back.

Have
a safe flight back home.

You too.

I miss you.

Becca didn’t respond to my last message
, and it hurt like hell. It felt like she was trying to end our relationship. If she didn’t care for me anymore then I would have to let her go, but if it was because of the situation with Tessa, I would not let her. We’d just have to get through this.

One
of my male co-workers knocked at the door. “Ready boss?”

“I’ll be ri
ght there,” I replied, staring at my phone, waiting for Becca’s message. Fuck! Forget it. I was going to enjoy my friends, who I’d been turning down chances to go out with this week.

Everyone had gone to a nightclub after dinner except for me. Feeling like a ton of brick
s were on my shoulders, I didn’t want to damper my co-workers’ moods by sulking in front of them. Instead of going straight to my room, I swung my coat over my shoulder, loosened my tie, rolled up the sleeves of my dress shirt halfway, and took a detour to the bar near the lobby.

There were
a few couples at the tables and some people sitting at the bar. It was dark and nearly empty, just the way I liked it.

“Give me any hard liquor,” I said to the bartender.

“That bad?” The bartender poured the liquor into the glass.

“I guess it could be worse.” I took the bill and signed it. “Please, charge it to my room.”

“Thank you.” He sounded grateful, seeing that I left a good tip for him.

With a drink in m
y hand, I sat in the corner booth alone, thinking of Becca. A pretty brunette startled me when she brushed up against me.

“I hope you don’t mind. You looked so lonely. I thought you might want my company.
” Her tone was sultry and definitely flirty, but I was turned on by her accent. Having a closer look, I could see her beautiful hazel eyes with long eyelashes and lips that were full.

“Actually
…” My eyes fell to her low-cut dress. Leaning forward, she was practically throwing her boobs at me. And man, could she expose them even more? She was an attractive woman. It was too bad she lacked self-esteem and felt like she had to dress like that to get a man to notice her. She was the type of woman I could have a one-night stand with, but I had to get that thought out of my head.

“My name is Christina.” She licked her lips when she said her name. Then she tried to run her hands across my chest, but I stopped her. “Don’t be like that. Let me make you feel better. You look so sad. A handsome guy like
you shouldn’t be all by himself.” Her hand slid up my thigh so fast I jumped when her hand set on my crotch.

I don’t know why, but anger struck me. Not at her, but at Becca.
It came rolling so fast I had no idea how to process it. Maybe it was the way Becca was acting, or maybe it was the lack of communication between us. Maybe it was that last text I sent her, and that she’d never replied back with, “I miss you, too.” Maybe she was messing with me, trying to hold on to our friendship until after Jenna’s wedding and then she’d let me go.

Fuck this!

I stood up, forcing Christina to do the same when I scooted out of my seat. “Come with me.” She happily followed behind me.

What was I doing? I
couldn’t be doing this. Thoughts of Becca entered my mind: her smile, her smell, and her naked body on mine. If I did this, then for sure Becca and I would be over.

Just as we were about to get on the
elevator, I turned to Christina. “I can’t do this.” I raked my hair back with a heavy sigh. “Sorry. You’re an attractive woman, but I’m with someone.”

“You don’t look happy. I won’t tell her.”

I let out a chuckle. This woman was definitely a bimbo. “Of course you won’t tell her. You don’t know her. Sorry. Go find someone else that will be nice to you.”

“I don’t need nice. I like it rough and hard.
You can fuck me anywhere. I just want one night with your delicious body. I’m lonely just like you.”

Shit! Her words,
her gorgeous body and face were hard to turn down, but I had to. “Sorry, doll. If circumstances were different we would be up in my room, but not today.”

She looked pissed off. “Your loss.” That was all she had to say before she stormed off.

What the hell was I thinking? I ran my hand down my face in frustration. I missed home. I missed Becca. Just a few more nights.

Becky

I was always short and to the point when messaging back to Matthew. It wasn’t lack of words, but rather I was afraid I would break down. I missed him so much that it hurt like hell.

The London
Book Fair was a huge distraction. I loved being lost in books, and being surrounded by people who loved them. You could feel the excitement in the air and see it in people’s eyes. It never failed...every time I went to a book convention, I always spotted the person who brought rolling luggage. This way, they could purchase as many books as possible, and not have to carry them in their hands. Now that was love for books.

My jo
b for today was done. I’d met a lot of potential authors, passed out my cards to publisher reps, and made international contacts. Just as I was about to head back to the hotel, I got a message from Tanner.

Becky,
stopping by to see you.

I’m about to go back to my hotel.

Have dinner with me.

Okay.

I’ll text you the address of the restaurant.

I arrived at the
restaurant to see Tanner waiting by the door. His dark hair was slicked back and he was smoking. His green eyes sparkled underneath the light when he saw me. He wore dark slacks and a buttoned long-sleeved shirt. Lean and nicely toned, he was about six feet tall.

“You smoke? You’re a doctor and you smoke
?” I teased, as if to scold him playfully.

“Hey
, beautiful. Don’t tell my clients.” He flashed a nervous smile and crushed the cigarette with his foot. Then he gave me a warm hug and kissed my cheek. Sliding his hand behind my back, he opened the door and led me to our seats. He had arrived earlier than me and reserved them. There were two glasses of water on the table, and I graciously started drinking mine.

“
Did you have a productive weekend?” Tanner asked, flagging the waitress.

“Yes, I did. Thank you for asking.”

When the waitress came, we ordered, and Tanner started asking questions again. “How are things with Matthew?”

Tanner knew I was
with Matthew, but he also knew things weren’t going well between us at the time of Nicole’s wedding. “Why do you ask?” I tried to sound as polite as possible. After all, he was only making friendly conversation.

“You look a little out of it
, and your eyes tell me that there is trouble in paradise.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Not only are you a doctor, you’re also a psychologist
?”

“I can be whatever you want. Just as long as I can bring back that pretty smile of yours.”

“There is only one thing that will make me smile, but according to how it’s looking, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to smile again.”

“That bad?”

“From my perspective, yes, that bad.”

Tanner took a sip of his water.
“Why don’t you tell me about it? I can give you a diagnosis. No charge. Free on me,” he snorted.

“But you don’t specialize. You’re a family doctor.”

“We had to learn the general aspects of all health situations and conditions. I may not specialize in a specific field, but I know enough. If I don’t, I’ll let you know.” He winked.

“Okay
.” I nodded. After all, he was a doctor and I needed a second opinion.

“Before you tell me w
hat it is, my place is a short train ride from here. Would you like to talk there? I promise this isn’t a pick up line. And I promise I won’t try anything.” He lifted his hands to surrender. “I swear.”

When I didn’t answer fast enough
, he continued, “My place is all yours. I have two bedrooms. You are welcome to stay. I told you before you could stay during the book fair, but you are so stubborn.” He laughed. “Any friend of Nicole and Keith is a friend of mine.”

“I would love to see Paris.” I was pretty sure my eyes sparkled from excitement.

“Do you have to fly out soon?”

“Actually, I left the ticket open ended. After all, I was coming to Lo
ndon, and confession time...I thought about visiting you in Paris.” A part of me felt guilty toward Matthew. I didn’t tell him that I might visit a friend. This would keep me from going home for several days, and I knew he was expecting us to talk as soon as we both got back. I also didn’t think he would be keen on my visit, especially since Tanner was a guy he’d never met.

“
That’s great. Let me take you back to your hotel so we can get your luggage.”

“I can only stay for
a few days. I need to go back and settle things with Matthew.” Tanner started texting. “What are you doing?”