Surprised by Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 4) by Jessica Gray Page A
Authors: Jessica Gray
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for him. And she’d also be perfect for his company. She’d be the best CFO ever back home in Chicago. I want her. Not only in my bed, but also in my office.
He argued with himself, if he should even take the risk and ask her. She’s leading such a glitzy life, travelling all over Asia, what he has to offer would probably be boring for her. And he didn’t want her to get bored at his side.
His thoughts kept going around in circles and at one point, he even considered asking his father if he could relocate to Asia for good. Just the mere thought of relocating had his stomach churning painfully. He would miss his family and friends so much.
He enjoyed travelling, he really did. But even after two weeks, he was already missing his family. But I would do it to be with Toni. If that’s what it takes. Even as he prepared himself to make such a huge sacrifice, doubts crept in. What if she doesn’t even want me? Then you need to try harder.
Kendra found him hours later and noticed his confused state of mind. She offered a listening ear, but Douglas wasn’t ready to voice his thoughts.
She figured it had to do with the young woman she’d met the night before and decided to give him some advice, whether he wanted it or not.
“Douglas, if this woman is important to you, you need to stop playing games and do whatever it takes to gain her trust and her love. Don’t be an idiot like Ryan and I. We lost ten years of happiness by not talking to each other. Ten years, Douglas! We got a second chance, but most people don’t. This might be your only chance with her. Don’t blow it.”
When he didn’t answer, she grinned before she took off. “You can thank me later.”
Douglas couldn’t get Kendra’s words out of his head. He thought about them most of Saturday night, and finally, near dawn he saw the truth. As soon as lunch was over, he announced that he was returning to Kuala Lumpur. His brothers had offered to return with him, but he declined their offer.
“You guys stay here with Kendra and enjoy the beach. This is just something I have to do. See you Monday night, okay?”
Kendra shot him a glance of understanding. “You won’t regret it.”
Then he hurried right back to find Toni and tell her how much he loved her.
***
Toni returned from her shopping spree with Tricia, having mustered up the courage to tell him she wanted to give their relationship a shot. She stopped by Douglas’ apartment, with sweating palms and a pounding heart only to find him gone.
When he didn’t come home several hours later, she finally gave up and went to bed. Disheartened. First thing Sunday morning, she rushed over to his apartment door, knocking again. This time when he didn’t answer, she went down to the lobby with sagged shoulders to see if the concierge had seen him leave.
“They left for the weekend, miss. They won’t be back until Monday night.”
Gone? He’d abandoned her? Gosh, she missed him and before she knew it, tears sprung from her eyes and she hurried up to her apartment to scream out her soul. I should be happy. I wanted to cut him out of my life and my heart.
But now that she was alone, she was miserable. She even missed the arguments they’d had. They seemed to disagree on almost everything - business wise that is. At first, she had been very annoyed about that, but then found that his disagreements always challenged her to find an even better solution. They made a great team. She had even started to envision what it would be like to work with him always.
And then there was the kiss on the rooftop. It was fantastic! At least, she had thought so. But he’d taken off for the weekend without telling her. For him, it probably was just a kiss like any other kiss in the world and he was already off chasing the next woman.
No, it would be best for everyone involved if I resigned from my job and stayed away from him. Being near him is only going to lead to more heartache.
Trying not to wallow in
He argued with himself, if he should even take the risk and ask her. She’s leading such a glitzy life, travelling all over Asia, what he has to offer would probably be boring for her. And he didn’t want her to get bored at his side.
His thoughts kept going around in circles and at one point, he even considered asking his father if he could relocate to Asia for good. Just the mere thought of relocating had his stomach churning painfully. He would miss his family and friends so much.
He enjoyed travelling, he really did. But even after two weeks, he was already missing his family. But I would do it to be with Toni. If that’s what it takes. Even as he prepared himself to make such a huge sacrifice, doubts crept in. What if she doesn’t even want me? Then you need to try harder.
Kendra found him hours later and noticed his confused state of mind. She offered a listening ear, but Douglas wasn’t ready to voice his thoughts.
She figured it had to do with the young woman she’d met the night before and decided to give him some advice, whether he wanted it or not.
“Douglas, if this woman is important to you, you need to stop playing games and do whatever it takes to gain her trust and her love. Don’t be an idiot like Ryan and I. We lost ten years of happiness by not talking to each other. Ten years, Douglas! We got a second chance, but most people don’t. This might be your only chance with her. Don’t blow it.”
When he didn’t answer, she grinned before she took off. “You can thank me later.”
Douglas couldn’t get Kendra’s words out of his head. He thought about them most of Saturday night, and finally, near dawn he saw the truth. As soon as lunch was over, he announced that he was returning to Kuala Lumpur. His brothers had offered to return with him, but he declined their offer.
“You guys stay here with Kendra and enjoy the beach. This is just something I have to do. See you Monday night, okay?”
Kendra shot him a glance of understanding. “You won’t regret it.”
Then he hurried right back to find Toni and tell her how much he loved her.
***
Toni returned from her shopping spree with Tricia, having mustered up the courage to tell him she wanted to give their relationship a shot. She stopped by Douglas’ apartment, with sweating palms and a pounding heart only to find him gone.
When he didn’t come home several hours later, she finally gave up and went to bed. Disheartened. First thing Sunday morning, she rushed over to his apartment door, knocking again. This time when he didn’t answer, she went down to the lobby with sagged shoulders to see if the concierge had seen him leave.
“They left for the weekend, miss. They won’t be back until Monday night.”
Gone? He’d abandoned her? Gosh, she missed him and before she knew it, tears sprung from her eyes and she hurried up to her apartment to scream out her soul. I should be happy. I wanted to cut him out of my life and my heart.
But now that she was alone, she was miserable. She even missed the arguments they’d had. They seemed to disagree on almost everything - business wise that is. At first, she had been very annoyed about that, but then found that his disagreements always challenged her to find an even better solution. They made a great team. She had even started to envision what it would be like to work with him always.
And then there was the kiss on the rooftop. It was fantastic! At least, she had thought so. But he’d taken off for the weekend without telling her. For him, it probably was just a kiss like any other kiss in the world and he was already off chasing the next woman.
No, it would be best for everyone involved if I resigned from my job and stayed away from him. Being near him is only going to lead to more heartache.
Trying not to wallow in
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