PROLOGUE

She looked at her watch and her heart sank at it only being 9pm. She still had 2 more hours at least of this. She knew it was all part of being a Broadway star, but her priorities had changed now. God she needed a drink! She impatiently made her way towards the bar only to immediately freeze on the spot when she spotted Michael Reidel no more than 6 feet away, sleazily interrogating a poor young actress. An encounter with him was the last thing she needed right now as she span around sharply in an attempt to make a swift getaway. Unfortunately she didn't count on a guy walking right into her path, as she slammed straight into him, causing his glass of red wine to go flying, mostly over him.

"Jesus Christ, watch wh ..."

"I'm so so sorry" interrupted Karen apologetically, looking at the guy she'd just understandably royally pissed off, when her heart skipped in shock at who was stood before her.

"Josh! What, are you ... I didn't think ... ummm, I'm really so sorry about your suit" she started to mumble.

"Karen!" was all he could muster, looking equally shocked at who was stood before him.

"Really, please let me get it dry cleaned for you."

"Karen it's fine" snapped Josh, unable to hide his irritation. "Just leave it."

"Okay" she said quietly. An awkward silence overcame them both, neither wanting or knowing what to say, but neither making any attempt to leave.

"You look well" Karen said eventually. "The Los Angeles sun looks good on you! And I read you and Sophie just got engaged! Congratulations Josh. I hope you're both very happy together" she said sincerely.

"Thank you" Josh replied, his features softening somewhat.

"And you're okay?"

"Fine. Good. You know!"

"And Henry?"

"He's great, thanks."

"Good. Well, I ummm, I better go and sort this out" he said suddenly, referring to his his ruined suit, as he started to walk away from her without so much as a goodbye.

"Josh?" Karen called after him, unable to stop herself.

"Yeah?" he said, stopping and turning to look back at her.

"Josh, ...I'm, I'm sorry for what was said between us. For how things were left. I think we both said things that we didn't mean."

"Speak for yourself!" he retorted bitterly.

"Fine, well I said things I didn't mean ... and well, I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"Yes it does matter. It matters to me ... Don't you want to know why it matters?" She continued as Josh made no response.

"Not really" he said. "Look I really have to go. Goodnight Karen."

And with that he was gone. She couldn't get him off her mind for the rest of the night. His words had hurt her, but she understood. He was engaged to be married, and here she was, trying to rake up the past. And for what?! She didn't even know. This night was going from bad to worse!

As soon as the clock struck 11 she made her excuses and said her goodbyes, and quietly headed for the exit and towards a waiting car.

"I lied before."

She spun around to see Josh standing there, hands in his pockets.

"About what?"

"About not wanting to know why it matters. Well I do want to know. It's all I've been thinking about these past couple of hours."

Karen smiled at Josh regretfully. "It matters because, because everything you said to me that day was the truth. I just wish I'd realised it earlier. ... "Goodnight Josh. Take care" she said, her voice breaking, as she made her way into the backseat and closed the door behind her.

As the car drove off she couldn't help but look back.

AN: guys I'm always forever #cartwills, but when writing my 'Heart Shaped Wreckage' story I was close to doing the unthinkable, and having Derek die, as tragic as that would have been! In the end I of course had to have my happy ending. However, I wanted to explore how Karen might move on from losing the love of her life, and how and if her friendship with Josh might develop. So think of this story as the alternative ending to HSW. I hope you enjoy! :)