JULIAN'S POV

"I got her engaged because I saw how much she wanted it. I love her, but marriage is not just in the cards for me right now. Or even till the end of this year." I answered honestly.

Yes I had a fiancèe. A rich one at that. Way richer than me. Since I met her, she had been nothing but good to me. And she had helped me a lot. To also clear my debts.

I was duped and lost a lot of money and she helped me cover them.

I still hadn't found a new job and she was willing to help me start afresh again.

She had a themed five star cafe she had inherited from her deceased uncle here in San Diego and was also planning to buy a beach resort and run it as well. Hence, the move.

She was a face model and also engaged in advertising. But she was going to lay low for a while and set that life aside as she had been into that for years and was getting tired.

I used to be a real estate agent and I was going to start up again here. But this time around, I was gonna be my own boss and choose my working hours.

We both wanted something new. New jobs change of scenery and somehow she chose San Diego. And I had said, why not? It was a great place.

She was finishing up her last jobs in Paris at the moment and she was to relocate here in about a week. We planned to move into a new house together. Being in a new city and not knowing how anything worked there , I decided to stay with Joey for the time being.

Just until Mandy got back from the city of France.

"Are you sure she's gonna wait that long?" Joey asked me.

"I don't even wanna think about that, " I answered. "We already got a good thing going on. I hope she doesn't get desperate. By the way, how's your work going for you?"

"Its my dream job so even though it gets pretty hectic, I don't really mind."

I nodded. "Hey, I'd need a tour. I really wanna see this new city."

"Sure thing bro. Only that I'm afraid I won't be able to help with that unless you wanna wait till the weekend."

"Nah. Its Monday, man. Too fucking far" I shook my head.

"Okay then, Kara would take you if you don't mind. I'll speak to her about it.I guess I'd have to sacrifice my car again tomorrow. I'm only doing this because I haven't seen you in three years," he pushed my shoulder a little.

I gave a lopsided grin. "Nah, its because you love me too much."

"Yuck. Fuck you, man" he said giving me the finger and we both laughed.

*****

KARA'S POV

I was applying some facial cream after my bath while I stood in front of the mirror when Joey hugged me from behind.

"Hmm, you smell so good, I wanna eat you up" he said sniffing into my neck.

I laughed softly and turned to him. "Eat me up then,"

"Don't tempt me," he gave a small smile and let me go. "I'm actually very tired right now and wanna sleep for a hundred years."

I watched him collapsing on his side of the bed and I went to lie beside him.

"Yeah you need lots of sleep," I said in a low voice.

"Babe?" He called as he turned to me. "You can help Joey with a tour around town tomorrow can't you?"

"What? Why does it have to be me?"

"I would have loved to but you know my busy schedule. I'll leave my car again so you can help take him, please?"

As if I also didn't get busy. All because I worked from home 80% of the time. But, even so. So I was gonna get trapped with that Julian in a car for God knows how long. I was definitely not allowing him play his loud stupid music.

"I will, don't worry about it," I replied touching his cheek briefly. "By the way, how long is he gonna stay?"

"A week I guess. Just until his fiancèe arrives and they move into a new house."

Wait. He had a fiancèe? Wow. He looked like a flirt. The type that had five girlfriends at a time.

I nodded silently and watched Joey drift to sleep. I fell into a deep sleep not too long after as well.

<<<

The next morning was just like every other morning. I had to get up by 5:45am to prepare some breakfast. Thankfully, he ate it this time before leaving hurriedly for work.

I went back to bed after he had left and woke up two hours later to start my morning routines.

While I was vacuuming the floor, I saw Julian stroll in from his room. Wait, was he.. Shirtless?

I just stood there, gaping at him. His toned muscles and abs. Christ.

He had a little tattoo on his chest that made him look sexier. I forced my eyes forward to his face and found my voice, clearing my throat a little at first.

His bed head was so cute and I watched him stifle a yawn.

"Why are you half naked?" I asked him.

"Half naked?" He arched a brow. "Is this your definition of half nakedness? I'm fucking wearing pajama pants now, aren't I?"

"Where's your shirt?"

"I don't sleep with a shirt," he shrugged.

"You can't walk around the house without a shirt." I said, patiently. "This isn't your house,"

"Its my brother's house." He replied almost immediately and went ahead to grab an apple from the fruit basket on the table.

Kara, calm your nerves, I told myself.

"What's for breakfast? I'm kinda hungry please"

I wanted to punch him in the face but I was able to restrain myself.

"You can help yourself with some food in the kitchen. I'm sorta busy right now." I told him. He didn't reply and headed straight for the kitchen.