by Tania Joyce
Jasmine wasn’t in sight. Good.
“You needed to see me, Conrad?” Kara said with a lackluster tone.
Conrad stepped aside from the mannequin he’d been blocking from view. Kara’s heart lurched against her ribs. It was their dress—the one she’d designed with him before they broke up. A dark green Dutch silk gown, with abstract cutout cup-sleeves and hemline. They’d spent nights curled next to each other on his sofa in his loft apartment, drawing and sketching it. Discussing fabrics, the width of the box-pleats and the finishing details of the gown. He’d wanted royal elegance; Kara had wanted to jazz it up by adding some sexy flare with the delicate cut-outs.
Then he’d dumped her.
“You made it.” She dashed forward and examined the creation. “It’s beautiful.”
“Elise saw the mock-up when she was in here a few weeks ago and loved it. Ordered it then and there.”
Kara ran her hands over the bodice, the boning corseting the fine seamlines. But when she glanced at Conrad, the muscles in her neck stiffened. Black circles framed his eyes, his cheekbones had sunk, and his normal neatly combed hair was in desperate need of a cut. It seemed the stress of fashion week had taken its toll on everyone—especially him.
“This dress needs to go to Elise in three days, and it’s not finished,” he said. “I need your help. Please?”
“I don’t work on couture anymore. Get Jasmine to help you.” It was impossible to hide the coldness in her voice. While she didn’t want Jasmine’s hands on her design, she didn’t want to work in close confines with Conrad. He’d become more erratic and demanding. Made every day at work unpleasant. She didn’t know if it was because she was stressed, or hormonal, or whether Conrad had made it his mission to upset her. She had enough to worry about without adding him to her list.
“No. I need you.” Pleading and begging flashed in his eyes, but Kara ignored it. He ran his hand across the hipline of the skirt. “These box pleats are all wrong. Jasmine thinks they should be narrower and higher on the waistline. What do you think?”
How did this man achieve such success if he couldn’t see his own vision in the gown? He was the head of the fashion house. Not her. Not Jasmine. Since when did Conrad practice self-doubt?
Kara’s blood pressure spiked. She didn’t have time for this nonsense. “No. If you do that then it will stick out like a balloon. Elise will not want to look like a church bell.”
“Jasmine also suggested it might need something to enhance the cut-outs. Beads or rhinestones or something in bronze to work in with our urban-industrial look.”
“Conrad, Elise isn’t into bling. You should know that. She’s more conservative than a nun’s habit.” What had Jasmine done to Conrad? He was a genius when it came to classic, elegant designs.
Desperation and fear filled his voice. “Please help me, Kar?”
She groaned and snatched the pincushion off his desk. “There’s nothing wrong with the dress. My only suggestion would be to make the hemline shorter. Don’t have so much length below the abstract cutouts. It’s supposed to sit on the knee, not below.” She slid her hand over the skirt and turned the edge over. With her growing belly, she struggled to lower herself to her knees and pinned the skirt to her desired length. Luckily, she’d worn dress pants today; she hadn’t anticipated crawling around the floor.
Conrad squatted beside her. “You’re right. I couldn’t see it. I was worried about embellishments and not the simple elegance of the dress. Thank you. We’re such a good team.”
“Were,” Kara mumbled under her breath.
Conrad sat back on his heels, his eyes on her belly. “How’s everything going with the baby?”
“Okay. I had my check-up this morning.”
He stood and put out his hand to help her up. “Come and sit. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“What else do you need?” She took his offered hand. Maybe now would be a good time to ask about reducing her workload.
As she labored to her feet, a dull ache rippled across her lower abdomen. What had she eaten for lunch? A chicken salad with dressing. The indigestion was a bitch. She needed to go for a walk, not sit and chat.
“Kara, please?”
The concern on his face tugged at her heart. She did care for him—just not the way she used to. She lowered herself onto the sofa. “I’m listening.”
He sat beside her. His hands shook as he wiped his palms on his trousers. “Has anything developed between you and Hunter?”
“Developed?” A breathy laugh burst from her lips. “Yes, Conrad, something has developed between us. We’re now civil to each other. I give him updates on the baby. He lets me know where in the world he is.”
“I need you to be honest with me.” The severity in his tone caught her off guard.
“Why?”
“Because I want you back.”
Pain shot through her chest, it was as if he’d rammed his pincushion, sharp ends first, into her heart. “You what?”
“I mean it. I haven’t stopped thinking about you for weeks. On New Year’s, you were right. I always run away when things get tough. I don’t want to do that anymore. We were good together. I left because I failed you. We couldn’t get pregnant after we tried for so long. I wasn’t prepared to face months of IVF or surrogacy.”
“Stop.” She closed her eyes and shuddered. Nausea flooded her aching gut. How could he want her when he was with Jasmine? “You have a girlfriend.”
“Don’t worry about Jazzy. My work is suffering without you. You’re my muse.”
“No.” Her head spun faster than a cotton bobbin being wound with thread.
He inched closer and took her hand in his. “Come back to me, Kar. Move in with me. Marry me. Let’s be the family you always wanted.”
The ringing in her ears was deafening. She struggled to draw breath. “Are you for real? It’s not your baby. It’s not your responsibility.”
“But it’s your baby. I’ve thought about it. I will love your baby as my own. You know I will.”
Holy. Shit.
Conrad was offering her everything she’d ever dreamed of. Marriage. Family. All her dreams could come true. She could picture herself walking down the aisle in the beautiful white dress she’d designed for herself years ago and see him waiting for her at the altar with their friends and family gathered in the pews.
But she stopped at the seat near the front of the church. Hunter was there. Staring at her. She couldn’t take the next step toward Conrad.
Hunter wanted nothing to do with her romantically, but he had changed her life forever. He’d changed her view of the world, the course of her dreams, and her future direction.
She had to move forward for her baby. There was no going back. Everything was clear. There were too many wrong elements in Conrad’s equation. It wasn’t about love or mistakes or regret. It was about him. He needed her for work, for inspiration. Nothing else.
“You can’t say things like that. Not ever.” Tears stung her eyes. “You’re involved with another woman.” Kara’s hand shot over her mouth. “Oh . . . you haven’t even broken up with her, have you? You were waiting to see my reaction before you told her. You bastard. If I say no, she would have been none the wiser. You self-centered prick.”
“Kar, it’s not like that.” He squeezed her hand, but she pulled free.
“Yes, it is. I know I’m better off without you. I was blinded by how much I loved you. You were my world. But you drowned me. It was all work and no play. I forgot who I was. I stopped going out, stopped playing sport, stopped hanging out with my friends. I stopped having fun. I won’t let that happen again.”
“You can’t do those things now. You’re having a child. It needs a father. I’m here for you.”
Fire scorched through her veins. “Ryan has a father. Hunter. We all have to live with the choices we’ve made, and you made yours when you left. So if there is nothing else, I have work to do.” She rubbed at the ache in her
tummy. The pain was getting worse.
“Take some time to think about it.”
“I don’t need time. My answer is no. I don’t love you anymore.”
Hunter filled her mind. The way he protected his family, his caring nature, the fun they’d had together, his good heart—they were what she needed for Ryan.
Conrad gaped. “You will. I know you can.”
“No.” What had he expected? Her to fall into his arms and cry with happiness? Maybe a few months ago, she would have been that girl. But not anymore. Her belly grumbled and ached. “I needed to talk to you about reducing my hours because my doctor has concerns with my health. Can I schedule a meeting with you for tomorrow? I’m not feeling well.” Kara’s brow broke out in a clammy sweat. “I’m going to work from home for the rest of the day.”
“Okay. Sure. No worries. I’ve put too much pressure on you. I’m sorry.” He wrung his hands together. “My offer is still valid. Just say the word.”
She stood and circled her hands over her tummy. “The answer will always be no.” With her head held high, she strode out of the room.
“Kar, what’s wrong?” Jon rushed to her side with Tim.
Fighting back the tears, she clutched onto Jon’s shoulder for support. “I need to go home.”
She never wanted to repeat what had happened to anyone in the office. But she felt sorry for Jasmine. Hopefully it wouldn’t take her as long as it had taken Kara to realize that Conrad was a jerk.
“Is there anything we can do?” Jon picked up her shopping and her purse and handed it to her.
“Thanks, guys. But no. We’ll meet tomorrow about the sampling, okay?” She plucked a couple of tissues from the box, called Giles, and headed home.
In her apartment, she dropped her gear on the floor and collapsed on the sofa. The floodgates opened once again. Maybe she should’ve taken Conrad back. It would have made things easier. He would’ve stuck around for a while. But it wouldn’t have been for long. He would have rushed back to Jasmine or the next intern who walked through his door.
Her cell phone buzzed, and her heart skipped a beat. Hunter. A message from London. Through teary eyes, she gazed at the picture. It was of him, Gemma, and Kyle hugging each other in front of London’s Tower Bridge and making funny faces. The caption read,
We’re working hard today. You? UK done.
Off to Japan tomorrow. H.
She giggled and wiped her tear-streaked cheeks. He certainly brightened her mood. She circled her hand over the gentle kick fluttering in her belly and smiled. Life had sent her down one rocky road. She’d lost a lover in Conrad but gained a good friend in Hunter—something she’d never expected.
She turned to look at the pile of baby wares she’d ordered lying in the corner. The flat-packed cot and dressing table, the clothes, mobile, and rocker had all arrived. She didn’t feel like doing work for Conrad; she’d rather clean her spare bedroom for the nursery.
Ryan was her future. It was time to prepare.
She sat up.
Arrrgggh!
She screamed. Violent cramps charged through her abdomen. She keeled over and clutched her tummy. Her eyes widened, and she struggled to breathe.
She fell to her knees on the floor and cried.
Owwww!
Her stomach contracted again. A warm dampness flooded between her legs. Horror swept across her skin. Scrambling to her feet, she dashed into the bathroom. She stripped her dress pants off and checked her panties.
Her hands trembled. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
There was blood.
Everywhere.
Chapter 17
“Kara’s in hospital,” Lexi blurted. “She’s just gone in to surgery.”
“What?” Hunter leapt from his hotel bed and glanced at the clock. Two a.m. His heart jarred like a jackhammer. “What’s . . . what’s happened?”
“It’s the baby. Kara started bleeding and cramping. Her mom didn’t have your number, so I called you.” Lexi’s voice quivered as she spoke at breakneck speed. “Hunt, I’m so scared. Kara has to have an emergency cesarean.”
“Oh shit. Is she okay? What about the baby?” Tears burned his eyes. Horror clawed at his brain. It was too early for Ryan to be born. “Lex, I’m coming. I don’t know how, but I’m coming home.”
Storming out of his room, his mind swirled. He crossed the suite’s living room, and bashed on Kyle and Gemma’s bedroom door.
“Go away,” Kyle bellowed.
Taking no notice, Hunter flung the door open.
“It’s Kara.” His whole body trembled. “She’s in hospital. I have to go.”
Gemma swiped her shirt off the floor, and ripped it on. “What’s happened?”
“Emergency. Cesarean. I have to go. Now.” Fear gripped his throat and squeezed.
“All right. All right.” Kyle swung out of bed and grabbed his boxer shorts. “Calm the fuck down. We’ll sort it out.”
Ten minutes later, a bleary-eyed Kate, Bec, Sophie, and their tour manager, Olsen, were in their suite sorting out the details. Hunter paced the length of the window that looked over the glittering London skyline. His mind on Kara and Ryan. They had to be okay. Had to be. Bec was booking flights for him to New York. Kate, Sophie, and their tour manager were going over the schedule and writing urgent press releases to cancel their scheduled concerts in Tokyo. The cursing and yelling were nothing but white noise in his ears.
“We’ll come with you.” Gemma handed him a cup of steaming hot coffee. “Kyle and I want to be there.”
Hunter’s hands shook as he took the cup and nodded.
“I talked to Lexi. There’s no update yet. Kara’s still in surgery.” Gemma placed her hand on his shoulder. “They’ll be okay.”
Her words of comfort had no impact. He had to get to Kara.
“Right,” Bec said, throwing her cell phone onto the coffee table. She looked up from her laptop. “The quickest way I can get you all there is on a commercial flight that leaves in a few hours. You’ll get to New York around lunchtime. Drivers and security are on their way.”
Sophie came over and rubbed his arm. “We’ll deal with everything else. Don’t worry. You get to Kara and your baby. Let us know what’s happening as soon as you get there.”
“I hate canceling shows,” Olsen grumbled, stabbing his pen on the tabletop. “I know it’s an emergency, but sorting out logistics is a nightmare.”
“Fuck you.” Hunter charged past Sophie toward Olsen, but Kyle stopped him.
“Hey, bud. It’s okay. Go pack your shit, and let’s get going.” Kyle slapped him on the shoulder. “Focus on Kara and Ryan. They need you.”
Ryan. I’m coming.
His pulse drummed in his ears as he stuffed his belongings into his suitcase. During the long eight-hour flight home, he chewed at his fingernails. He’d tried to call Kara several times since he landed, but she hadn’t answered. His legs didn’t stop jiggling for the entire traffic-jammed car ride to the hospital.
Please let them be okay.
Mid-afternoon, security ushered him, Gemma, and Kyle into the maternity ward at Lenox Hill Hospital. Hunter’s feet couldn’t carry him fast enough. Checking in at the nurse’s station, every nerve stood on edge. He hooked his overnight duffel bag on his shoulder and dashed down the hallway. Kyle and Gemma following close behind.
Hunter hesitated outside of Kara’s room. His heart hammered hard against his ribcage.
“We’ll wait here.” Gemma stepped forward and squeezed his arm.
Kyle gave him a hug. “Let us know if you need anything.”
Hunter rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. “I’ve got this . . . I think.” Taking a shaky step forward, he swung the door open and entered the darkened room.
His heart ached at the sight of Kara lying on the bed with an IV in her arm. He met her gaze and she burst into tears. Dropping his bag on the floor, he rushed into her open arms, sat beside her and hugged her tight. He buried his face into he
r neck and absorbed her in. “I came as fast as I could. Is Ryan okay? Please tell me he’s okay. Where is he?”
She wiped her cheek with her palm. “He’s in neonatal intensive care.” She sniffled and clutched his hands on his lap. “He’s so tiny, Hunt. They have him in a humidicrib, covered in tubes and monitors. But he’s alive.”
“What happened?” His throat was so dry it was hard to talk. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head, and tears glassed her cheeks. “My uterus gave up. The doctors couldn’t stop the hemorrhaging. I had to have a hysterectomy. It’s all gone. There’s nothing left of me.”
“Shh.” He stroked her hair and brushed her tears with his thumb. “That’s not true. We’ve got our son. We’ve got our baby boy. That’s all that matters. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”
“Lexi and Hayden were here. Mom, Dad and Naomi came after my surgery.”
But he hadn’t been around. And he hated that. “I tried to call, but you didn’t answer.” He still trembled all over as he held her hands.
“Once my catheter was removed after lunch, I turned my phone on silent so I could get some rest. Lexi told me you were coming. I didn’t think you’d get here so soon. I can’t believe you’ve left tour.”
“I had to come for Ryan. There was never any question I wouldn’t. Kyle and Gem came too. They’re outside waiting.” He stroked her hair. “Are you allowed out of bed? Can we go and see Ryan?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
He carefully helped Kara into her wheelchair, clipped her IV pole into place, and pushed her out of the room. Kyle and Gemma greeted her with hugs and followed him as he wheeled Kara along the corridor and weaved around the odd person walking by. Trying to control his racing heart, he gripped the handles tighter and tighter. I’m going to meet my son.