The Unexpected First (The Unexpected Series Book 2)

Chapter Forty-Four

The police and EMT finally left the shop with Shaun’s body after what felt like hours. I’m relieved that it feels like it’s finally over and that things make more sense, even if I still don’t understand why Ingrid set her sights on me to begin with. When they questioned me this time, they asked if I had any idea that Ingrid or Travis were under the influence. They didn’t think it was an important factor to share prior to Shaun’s appearance here today.

Grey hasn’t left my side since this all went down and I couldn’t be more thankful to have this amazing man by my side.

“Kitten.” He pauses, dropping my hand to walk to the door and lock it now that we’re alone. Once he returns to the couch, he sits down next to me. Pulling my legs into his lap, he begins absentmindedly massaging my calves, instantly melting away the stress of the day.

“Grey,” I say his name, teasingly. I stare at his face for some sort of clue as to what’s coming.

“Kitten,” he repeats, his expression giving nothing away. “How would you feel about opening a studio attached to the shop here?”

“I mean, I would love it, but how would we even manage that?” I ask, looking around the space.

“Jack has plans drawn up that he will go over with you. But if you want it, I will make it happen.” He grins at me. “Selfishly, I don’t want to be far from you.”

“Oh my god,” I shriek and wrap myself around him.

I have been wanting so badly to get back into photography, to be behind a lens again. I’m not sure if I want to continue doing boudoir, but I need to be back behind the camera in a more constant capacity. As much as I enjoy helping Grey with his social media, I need to do something more with my passion.

Our tongues tangle together as I grind against his length, ready to thank him with my body for this gesture, when a loud knock sounds on the front door.

With all of the commotion this afternoon, I completely forgot about his surprise.

“Oh my god,” I squeal, jumping to my feet and scrambling to the door.

Grey groans on the couch, adjusting himself.

“Hi! Come on in, he’s right over there.” I grin at the three guests and motion for them to walk into where Grey is sitting.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Grey’s smile is brighter than I’ve seen outside of the bedroom in awhile.

“Surprise, bossman!” Loki giggles as they wrap their arms around his neck.

I stand back, watching the reunion. Niall and C both bring him in for an awkward man hug. You know, the one where they barely clap each other”s shoulder.

“This is why you asked who worked at Urban a few weeks ago?” Grey shoots me a wicked grin and I nod shyly at him.

With as much as I went through, he never faltered in his support and stayed by my side the entire time. He needs this reunion and the family he found in Miami as much as I need him here.

Hadley, Kat, and I sit around a table inside Mud House sipping our heavenly bean juice when Kayleigh struts over and takes up the fourth seat, joining us.

“This is the first time I think you’ve ever stopped working while we’ve been here,” Hadley teases.

“What can I say? I needed some girl time. They’ve got it under control today.” Her warm smile brightens the room.

“So, what’s new?” Kat asks, looking around at each of us expectantly.

“Grey and Jack are working out how to build a studio for me that’s somehow connected to the tattoo shop. Our next step is finding a place so we can move out of Jack’s.” I smirk at them. “Now that we’re going at it like rabbits once again, it’s safer for everyone involved if my brother isn’t within earshot.”

Hadley and Kat start giggling at that while I take a long swig of my coffee.

“Joel can help you find a place if you’d like.” Kayleigh smiles, placing her hand on mine.

“That would be amazing! I don’t even know what we want or need,” I sigh.

“Don’t worry, he’s great at that. He tolerated not only house hunting with me after the divorce but also when we found each of the Mud House locations.” She laughs aloud at the memory.

Kayleigh picks up her phone, tapping on the screen for a moment before putting it back down.

“He’ll text you soon.” She grins.

The four of us chat for quite a while, Hadley sharing her concern about Connor acting strange. My best friend has been through a shit show in the past year and a half too, so I know she’s struggling. We do our best to reassure her that everything is fine. I remind her to talk to Amy. I will forever credit that woman for how she’s helped me so much.

“Amy has been helpful for Liam and me too. Immediately after my abduction, Liam had a hell of a time processing his guilt. Amy was phenomenal in helping us through that.” Kayleigh’s admission takes me off guard. “Plus, she was integral in Joel and I being able to get to where we are now.”

“Amy has treated all of us?” I arch a brow and snort. “We are quite the friend group, aren’t we?”

“Cheers to trauma.” Hadley raises her mug. We all laugh and click our mugs together.

Kayleigh eventually ends up returning to the counter, finishing her work day. Hadley leaves to meet Connor for some corporate event, which leaves Kat and I alone.

“If he doesn’t do it soon, she’s going to have an aneurysm,” Kat snorts.

“I know, she looks like she’s about to burst from the anxiety. I’ll text him.” I shake my head.

[text message]

Ryan

Time is running out, dude. She’s spiraling.

Several minutes go by with no response, but I can see he’s read the message. I smile, knowing he’s probably with her and he’s already been panicking himself.

When my phone does go off, it’s from a number I don’t have saved. I’m relieved to see it’s Joel; he has availability this afternoon.