Her head shook, “Nope,” completely perplexed.
“Well, then I’ll have to take you when we’re not working.” I smiled easily. She seemed to have an effect on me, I had no idea why, though.
A shy smile graced her perfectly shaped mouth. “I’d love that.” A blush crept into her cheeks. God, that whole innocence thing was killing me. Was she really that innocent? I didn’t understand, she was a total opposite to Nikki. Was that the pull? All these thoughts in my head confused the fuck out of me.
“You know, I better get going.” I said and looked away. But I didn’t want to.
My toe kicked the gravel on the ground as I gave her a tight-lipped smile and turned to leave.
“You know, if you’re up for it,” her voice had me stopping in my tracks and turning back to her, “we could grab coffee sometime.”
“You asking me out?” My head lifted just enough to see her face, as my mouth pulled into a smirk and I lifted an eyebrow. I would never have taken her for being forward.
“Well… it’s just coffee, you know, we work together in a sense.” She dipped her head and stared at the ground; it was her turn to kick the bricks now. I’d embarrassed her, and that wasn’t cool.
I took two steps towards her and tilted my head, “Karen?” She lifted her head partially, and looked at me from under her light brows, “I’d like that.” Her lips formed a real smile this time. “Why don’t you give me your number, and I’ll give you a call later.”
She nodded, I pulled out my phone and opened my contacts for her to put her number in. She quickly added it and handed it back. “Give me a couple of hours.”
“Okay.” The smile hadn’t shifted from her face as she turned from me and unlocked her car. I went to my own car, unlockingit with the fob, and waited for her to get inside hers. The engine started and she slowly pulled away, lifting her hand in a wave as she passed me.
I got inside my own and turned on the ignition. The engine rumbled as I put her into first gear and pulled away from the house.
That was a turn-up for the books.
The letting agent was waiting with more paperwork to sign when I got there. I quickly signed on the dotted line and she handed over the keys.
Before I went back to Roman’s house to tell him I had the keys, I made my way to my new apartment, let myself in and had another look around. Only it felt different this time. It held a whole new meaning. Maybe it was because it was now mine. And as much as I hated the silence, I knew this would be good for me.
It was what I needed.
I needed this responsibility again.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Karen
When I was a teenager and became interested in boys, I always vowed I wouldn’t bethat girl,the one that waited for the phone to ring. You know, Girl Power, and all that… I saw how my brother used to blow off girls, and how upset they’d be. There was no way I would end up like that. I’d heard the term, ‘treat them mean, keep them keen.’ Well, the first time a guy was mean to me for no reason, there was no way I’d be falling into their arms because they decided to give me the time of day. No freaking chance. But even as I told myself that, there was one little problem, even I knew that there was always one guy that made you see things differently. They were the dealbreaker, and already, I knew in my own heart that Gav was going to bethatguy. He was a bad boy, and not even ashamed of it. His cheeky smirk, sharp jaw and those dark, sexy eyes already had me wanting to fall at his feet. And now, after I’d done everything I needed to, I waited forthe phone to ring. I could smack myself.God, I’m desperate.Get a grip, Kaz.
All the way through my meeting I’d thought about Gav. Why? He hadn’t touched me, he hadn’t kissed me even, but I felt this pull to him. Then he said yes to coffee, and I almost fainted. I mean what could he see in me? I didn’t want to think negatively, so I decided to pull my big girl panties up and be a grown up. I wanted to get to know him better, and this was the start of that. Since I moved out of home and came here, I hadn’t really met anyone. I was the careful one. I didn’t give my number out - strike one. I didn’t get too close, and I didn’t sleep around. Photography can be a lonely job if you want it to be, and for me, I was okay with that. It was why Holly had to push me into freelance.
My thoughts were manic as I parked outside my apartment block. I exhaled a heavy breath and shook my head at myself. I had nothing else to do. I wasn’t riding around, and I definitely wasn’t going to find a diner to sit in and message him to tell him where I was. That was way too presumptuous, and a little sad on my part, if he stood me up.
As I was getting myself out of the car my phone pinged with a message.
Gav: Meet me in Griffith Park.
Griffith Park? Okay...That’s it. No particular place to meet or even what time. I didn’t question it, instead I got back in my car and typed a message back.
Cool. I’m on my way.
I knew the lunchtime traffic would be a bitch to get through, I could get there quicker on foot. So, I grabbed my purse and got out of my car. I took my camera from the trunk and locked up my car. It was a beautiful day for a walk, so why not enjoy it. What a place to get some shots. They’d be good for my now, more extensive portfolio.
As I walked through the main entrance, I looked around but couldn’t see him anywhere, so I found a bench and sat myself down. Taking the lens cap from the front of my camera, I slid it into my pocket, and lifted the camera to my face. With a quick adjustment of the lens, I snapped some photos of the amazing greenery that lined the park.
It was a beautiful summer’s day, and the different flowers and shrubs were in full bloom. The colours popped as I spied through my lens, my finger pressed again and again as I captured the different colours and angles around me, and as I stood and turned with my lens in front of my eye, I moved it a little to the right and Gav appeared in my eyeline. I almost jumped at the sudden change in focus, but a grin automatically tugged at my mouth at first sight. I moved the camera away to say hi, and saw the two Starbucks take-out cups in his hands. “Hey.” I greeted with a smile.
“Hello yourself.” Gav said as he passed a cup to me, I let my camera hang loosely around my neck and took it from him.
