Finding Him: Second Chance Billionaire Romance (Finding Love Book 1), page 25
“We should get it.” I stand and close the distance between us.
“It’s four-and-a-half-thousand-dollars,” she whispers so only I can hear. “I can’t afford that.”
“But I can.”
“No, you can’t.”
“I earn more than that in an hour.”
Her eyes slightly widen at my admission. “Irrelevant.”
I sigh. “Try one of the others then.”
“They’re just as expensive.”
“Just try them,” I demand, slapping her arse.
“It’s pointless.”
“Would you do it for me? Please.”
She blows out a puff of air before heading back into the fitting room.
Each dress looks just as beautiful as the next, but I’m pretty sure she’d look good in anything. “Which one was your favourite?” I ask once she’s changed back into her own clothes.
“I’m not telling,” she answers.
“Why?” I ask, chuckling.
“Because I know you too well, Mr. Cavanagh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re not fooling me. As soon as I tell you which dress is my favourite, you’ll buy it.”
“Actually, you’re wrong,” I say, taking the dresses out of her hand. She stands there watching me, as I walk towards the sales assistant.
“How did she do?” she asks.
“Great, we’ll take these.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
“No,” Brooke says, coming up behind me.
“Yes,” I reply, turning to face her.
“Logan!”
“Brooke!”
“I can’t believe you,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. Her actions only manage to push her perky tits further up, which gives me an even better view of my girls.
Averting my eyes away from her spectacular cleavage, they move back to her face. “Please let me do this for you.”
“But—”
I place my finger over her lips. “You’ll be coming with me to all my work functions from now on, so you’ll need these. Actually, you’ll probably need a few more.” My eyes move around the shop.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she says, placing her hands on either side of my face, turning it back towards her.
“I know your size; I can just come back another time.”
“Okay,” she says, sighing in defeat. “The black dress—that’s my favourite. You can get me that one, but that’s it.”
A triumphant smile breaks out on my face as I lean forward and brush my lips against hers. “Thank you.”
“You’re ruthless. I’d hate to go up against you in court.”
She’s not the first person to say that to me. I may be a nice guy, but when it comes to my job, that’s a totally different story.
Pulling my wallet out of my pocket, I head towards the counter. “We’ll take them all.”
When I feel Brooke pinch my side, I chuckle. I don’t even flinch when the sales assistant gives me the total, but I hear Brooke gasp beside me. I’ve paid more than that for one of my suits. Passing over my black American Express card, my eyes move in her direction. The scowl on her face tells me she’s pissed off, but I think that look is adorable on her.
“You’re such a scammer,” she says as we leave the store. “I’m going to pay you back. It’ll wipe out my savings, but if there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a charity case.”
“Hey.” I stop walking and face her. “Is that what you think this is?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I don’t want your money, Hot Stuff.” When I see the tears in her eyes, I feel bad for deceiving her.
“Come here,” I say, folding her in my arms. “I love that you don’t want my money—truly, I do—but I want to do nice things for you. It makes me happy.” I draw back and place my finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Is that such a crime?”
“I’m not used to this kind of thing.”
“Well, get used to it. I want to spoil you.”
“I don’t need material things to be happy. Don’t you understand that?”
“Yes, I understand. It’s just one of the many things I love about you.”
A smile tugs at her lips. “So, we can return the other two dresses then?”
“Nice try,” I say, draping my arm over her shoulder as we continue walking.
“You suck.” When she elbows me in the side, I laugh.
“I don’t suck half as well as you do, baby.”
“Oh my god,” she says as her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.
“What? It’s the truth.”
Chapter 40
Brooke
“How was your first day back at work?” Chris asks as I slide into the back of the limousine.
Although it is now safe for me to catch the bus, Logan insisted that Chris continue to drive me.
“It was amazing—it felt so good to be back.”
“You love it there, don’t you?”
“Dancing is my life.” He smiles at me in the rear-view mirror, before focusing back on the road. “Chris,” I say a few minutes later. “Could you drop me off at my terrace house in Waterloo?”
“Why?” I see a frown form on his forehead.
“I need to clean the place up.”
“Are you thinking of moving back there?”
“No. But I’ll need to get my bond money back if I’m going to be able to afford another place.”
“You’re not staying with Mr. Cavanagh indefinitely?”
“No. He’s been gracious enough to have me this long, but I think it’s time I find a place of my own.”
“He’s not going to like this, you know.”
“What? Me going back to clean the place up, or me moving out?”
“I’m guessing both.”
I lean back into the seat.
“He offered to pay someone to clean up the terrace house for me, but I don’t want that. It’s something I’m more than capable of doing myself.”
“I admire you for that,” he says, smiling at me through the mirror once more.
We travel the rest of the way in silence, and Chris’s words weigh heavily on my mind. Staying with Logan permanently is not something we ever discussed. It’s way too early in our relationship to think about moving in together. I’ve only been there as long as I have because of my exceptional circumstances.
I undo my seatbelt when we pull up outside the terrace house. It’s been weeks since I’ve been back here, and to say I’m feeling uneasy about going inside would be an understatement.
“Thank you.”
“I’m not leaving you here on your own, Miss Ryan.”
“Please call me Brooke, and you don’t need to stay. I’m sure you have more important things to do.”
“I’m already risking my job by bringing you here.”
“He’d never fire you, Chris.”
“I don’t know. He’s changed since he met you.”
“How?” I enquire as we walk up the front path.
“Let’s just say, you’re very important to him. Work was always his number one priority, but now that’s shifted to you.”
“I’m lucky to have him,” I say. “He’s a good man.”
“He is,” Chris agrees. “And I’d say he’s lucky to have you also.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I rest my hand on his arm briefly before fishing in my bag for the keys. I gasp when I open the front door and step inside. “I forgot what a mess this place was.” I can see the horror in Chris’s expression as he takes in the room. “There’s a lot to do here, but you really don’t have to stay.”
“Actually, I do.” He removes his suit jacket, placing it over the back of a chair before rolling up his sleeves. “Where do you want me to start?”
“I have some gloves in the kitchen drawer. I’ll go grab them and some rubbish bags.”
Within an hour, we manage to get some sort of order back into the front room. We carried all the broken and unrepairable furniture outside and swept up all the glass and debris.
“I’m going to grab some steel wool and try to scrub off this paint,” I say.
“You’re going to need more than that. Do you have any acetone?”
“No. I do have some leftover white paint, but probably not enough to cover all the red.”
“I’ve had my fence at home graffitied a few times, and acetone was the only thing to get it off.”
“Oh.”
“Why don’t you start on one of the other rooms, and I’ll run to the hardware store and get some.”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“It’s no bother. I’m happy to be of some help.”
Reaching for my bag, I pull out some money and pass it to him. “Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it.”
Taking the rubbish bags into my bedroom, I start sorting through my clothes. Like the rest of the house, this room is trashed too.
After gathering everything off the floor, I start placing items into piles on the bed. At least I’ll be able to salvage some of them, but what’s torn will need to go in the bin.
Chris takes longer than I expected, so when I’m finished, I carry the bags to the bin outside and place the ones I’m going to keep by the front door.
“What the hell, Brooke?” a voice says, startling me. Swinging around, I come face to face with an unimpressed Logan.
“Hot Stuff.” I notice Chris standing in the doorway with an apologetic look on his face.
“Let’s go,” he says, reaching for my hand.
“I’m not done here.”
“Yes, you are!”
“No, I’m not,” I snap crossing my arms over my chest.
“I told you I’d hire someone to clean this place for you.”
My hands now move to my hips. “And I told you, I’d do it myself.”
“Brooke!” I can tell he’s angry, but I’m not budging on this.
Ignoring him, I turn to Chris. “Did you get the acetone?”
“Yes.” He lifts the bottle in his hand before walking around Logan to hand it to me. “Mr. Cavanagh called to see if you’d gotten home safe,” he whispers. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t lie to him.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to.” I planned on telling him where I’d been, I was just hoping it would be after the fact. Turning, I go to walk further into the room, but Logan steps around me, blocking my path. “I don’t want to fight with you over this,” I say, “but it’s important to me that I get this done. I can’t afford to lose my bond.” His eyes scan my face, but he remains silent. “Are you going to let me pass, or do I have to hurt you?”
My empty threat has a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re incredibly stubborn. You know that, right?”
“Well, that makes two of us,” I say.
“I don’t want you to do this.”
“Tough. I’m not relenting, so you can either roll up your sleeves and help or move out of the way.” He raises his eyebrows in defiance, but I stand strong. He may be used to paying people to do his dirty work, but that’s not how my mother raised me. “I refuse to waste money paying someone to do a job I’m quite capable of doing myself.”
His nostrils flare slightly, and I’m expecting him to lose his cool, but instead, he blows out a frustrated breath before removing his jacket.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.” Stepping forward, I slide my arms around his waist.
“This isn’t the end. I plan on punishing you later,” he warns, softly enough that only I can hear. I yelp when he slaps my arse.
Drawing back, my eyes meet his. “I look forward to it.”
“Minx,” he mumbles under his breath as I walk away.
“Are you sure you can’t come with me?” Logan asks, gathering me in his arms.
He’s been unexpectedly called to Melbourne on business.
“I wish I could, but I’ve already had enough time off work. This job is important, and I have a lot of people counting on me. Our annual concert is coming up and there’s so much to do; I’m already behind.”
“I hate leaving you.”
“You’ll be back tomorrow.”
“I know,” he says, sighing. “But that’s a whole twenty-four hours away.”
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Mr. Cavanagh.”
“My heart couldn’t get any fonder if it tried, Miss Ryan.”
“I will miss you though.” He reaches out, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight without you beside me,” he confesses.
“I’m sure you’ll manage.”
He releases me when his phone chimes in his pocket. Pulling it out, he looks down at the screen. “Chris is downstairs. I need to go; otherwise, I’ll miss my flight.”
Raising my hand, my fingertips tenderly skim down the side of his face. “Be safe, and good luck today.”
“I love you,” he says, brushing my lips with his.
“I love you too.”
“I’ll call you when my plane touches down in Melbourne.”
“Please do.”
He gives me another hasty kiss before reaching for the handle of his suitcase. “Chris will be back in time to take you to work.”
“Okay.” I stand in the foyer as he steps into the lift. “Bye.”
“Bye, babe.”
He blows me a kiss as the doors close. It’s only a day, but I know it’s going to feel like an eternity while he is gone.
“Can I help?” I ask Jill as I enter the kitchen.
“If you like. Since it’s just you tonight, I thought I’d make your favourite.”
“Salmon?”
“Yes. You can get a start on the salad if you like.”
“I can make my own dinner,” I say, “if you’d like to get away early.”
“That’s fine, dear. I have nowhere else to be. I usually travel with Mr. Cavanagh, but he insisted I stay here and care for you.”
“That was sweet of him. Chris stayed behind also.”
“Mr. Cavanagh thinks the world of you.”
“I think the world of him too,” I say. “Do you have enough salmon for two?”
“Oh, are you expecting company?”
“No, I was hoping you could join me for dinner.”
“I’d like that,” she says, smiling.
After gathering the ingredients for the salad from the fridge, I place them on the counter.
“Tell me about your family, Jill?”
“If you mean kids, then there’s nothing to tell. I have a sister who lives in Perth. I don’t see her as often as I’d like, but we talk on the phone a few nights a week.”
“You never married?” She falls silent. “I’m sorry if I’m prying.”
“Not at all,” she says. “I guess the right man never came along.”
“That’s a shame.”
She shrugs. “I don’t have many regrets—not becoming a mother, maybe—but otherwise I’m happy with the life I’ve lived.”
Once the salad is made, I grab a bottle of wine from the fridge. “Would you like a glass?”
“I’m not sure how Mr. Cavanagh would feel about me drinking on the job.”
“I think he considers you more like family than an employee, Jill. Besides, you’re my dinner guest tonight and it’s no fun drinking on your own.”
“Okay, you twisted my arm.”
We no sooner sit down to eat when I hear the ding of the lift as it arrives at our floor. My heart starts to race. Did Logan change his mind and decide to fly back tonight? He didn’t mention anything when I spoke with him earlier.
Standing, I rush towards the foyer, but I’m filled with disappointment when I see an attractive older lady standing there. Her dark hair is cut into a sharp bob, and the resting bitch face she’s now sporting makes her appear far less attractive.
Who is this woman? A key is required to get up to this floor, and I’m gathering after his uncle’s impromptu arrival last week that Logan isn’t the only person who holds one.
“Oh, hi,” I say, coming to an abrupt halt. “Are you looking for Logan? I’m Brooke, his girlfriend.”
“I know exactly who you are,” she bites.
“And you are?” I ask, taken aback by her rudeness.
“I’m Kathleen, Logan’s aunt … Johnathan’s wife.”
Although she speaks poshly, I don’t miss the disdain in her voice, or the disgust in her eyes as she looks me up and down.
“I see.”
John must have told her about me, so I gather this isn’t a friendly visit.
“I presume you’ve heard of me or is that a question I should be asking your whore of a mother?”
“Excuse me?” I say, taking a step towards her. “How dare you.”
“How dare I?” She laughs before taking the final stride that separates us. “You listen here, you little gold digger,” she sneers, getting up in my face, “I’ll say this once and once only: stay away from my husband.”
“For your information, it was your husband who approached me, not the other way around.”
I can tell my reply catches her off guard. “From what I remember of your mother, Johnathan was one of many, so I wouldn’t bank on him being your father.”
My hand’s fist by my sides. As far as I know, this woman never met my mother, but if she makes one more remark about my mum or her character, I don’t know how I will react.
“It takes more than just sperm to make someone a parent, so it’s safe to say biological or not, he’s not deserving of the title of father.”
“Well, I never,” she gasps, placing her hand on her chest. “But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything better from you. You’re trash, just like I knew you would be. It won’t take my nephew long to figure that out. A pretty face with no substance is his usual modus operandi. It’s only a matter of time before someone else catches his attention.”
“I can see why your husband looked for love outside his marriage. You’re just as cold and vindictive as I was led to believe.”
I don’t even see her hand rise until it connects with the side of my face.
“Oh, my goodness,” Jill says, hastily appearing at my side. “Are you okay, dear?” I nod instead of replying because I’m still shocked that she hit me. Jill gently moves me behind her, shielding me. “Leave,” she screams at Kathleen, pointing towards the lift.
“It’s four-and-a-half-thousand-dollars,” she whispers so only I can hear. “I can’t afford that.”
“But I can.”
“No, you can’t.”
“I earn more than that in an hour.”
Her eyes slightly widen at my admission. “Irrelevant.”
I sigh. “Try one of the others then.”
“They’re just as expensive.”
“Just try them,” I demand, slapping her arse.
“It’s pointless.”
“Would you do it for me? Please.”
She blows out a puff of air before heading back into the fitting room.
Each dress looks just as beautiful as the next, but I’m pretty sure she’d look good in anything. “Which one was your favourite?” I ask once she’s changed back into her own clothes.
“I’m not telling,” she answers.
“Why?” I ask, chuckling.
“Because I know you too well, Mr. Cavanagh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re not fooling me. As soon as I tell you which dress is my favourite, you’ll buy it.”
“Actually, you’re wrong,” I say, taking the dresses out of her hand. She stands there watching me, as I walk towards the sales assistant.
“How did she do?” she asks.
“Great, we’ll take these.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
“No,” Brooke says, coming up behind me.
“Yes,” I reply, turning to face her.
“Logan!”
“Brooke!”
“I can’t believe you,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. Her actions only manage to push her perky tits further up, which gives me an even better view of my girls.
Averting my eyes away from her spectacular cleavage, they move back to her face. “Please let me do this for you.”
“But—”
I place my finger over her lips. “You’ll be coming with me to all my work functions from now on, so you’ll need these. Actually, you’ll probably need a few more.” My eyes move around the shop.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she says, placing her hands on either side of my face, turning it back towards her.
“I know your size; I can just come back another time.”
“Okay,” she says, sighing in defeat. “The black dress—that’s my favourite. You can get me that one, but that’s it.”
A triumphant smile breaks out on my face as I lean forward and brush my lips against hers. “Thank you.”
“You’re ruthless. I’d hate to go up against you in court.”
She’s not the first person to say that to me. I may be a nice guy, but when it comes to my job, that’s a totally different story.
Pulling my wallet out of my pocket, I head towards the counter. “We’ll take them all.”
When I feel Brooke pinch my side, I chuckle. I don’t even flinch when the sales assistant gives me the total, but I hear Brooke gasp beside me. I’ve paid more than that for one of my suits. Passing over my black American Express card, my eyes move in her direction. The scowl on her face tells me she’s pissed off, but I think that look is adorable on her.
“You’re such a scammer,” she says as we leave the store. “I’m going to pay you back. It’ll wipe out my savings, but if there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a charity case.”
“Hey.” I stop walking and face her. “Is that what you think this is?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I don’t want your money, Hot Stuff.” When I see the tears in her eyes, I feel bad for deceiving her.
“Come here,” I say, folding her in my arms. “I love that you don’t want my money—truly, I do—but I want to do nice things for you. It makes me happy.” I draw back and place my finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Is that such a crime?”
“I’m not used to this kind of thing.”
“Well, get used to it. I want to spoil you.”
“I don’t need material things to be happy. Don’t you understand that?”
“Yes, I understand. It’s just one of the many things I love about you.”
A smile tugs at her lips. “So, we can return the other two dresses then?”
“Nice try,” I say, draping my arm over her shoulder as we continue walking.
“You suck.” When she elbows me in the side, I laugh.
“I don’t suck half as well as you do, baby.”
“Oh my god,” she says as her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.
“What? It’s the truth.”
Chapter 40
Brooke
“How was your first day back at work?” Chris asks as I slide into the back of the limousine.
Although it is now safe for me to catch the bus, Logan insisted that Chris continue to drive me.
“It was amazing—it felt so good to be back.”
“You love it there, don’t you?”
“Dancing is my life.” He smiles at me in the rear-view mirror, before focusing back on the road. “Chris,” I say a few minutes later. “Could you drop me off at my terrace house in Waterloo?”
“Why?” I see a frown form on his forehead.
“I need to clean the place up.”
“Are you thinking of moving back there?”
“No. But I’ll need to get my bond money back if I’m going to be able to afford another place.”
“You’re not staying with Mr. Cavanagh indefinitely?”
“No. He’s been gracious enough to have me this long, but I think it’s time I find a place of my own.”
“He’s not going to like this, you know.”
“What? Me going back to clean the place up, or me moving out?”
“I’m guessing both.”
I lean back into the seat.
“He offered to pay someone to clean up the terrace house for me, but I don’t want that. It’s something I’m more than capable of doing myself.”
“I admire you for that,” he says, smiling at me through the mirror once more.
We travel the rest of the way in silence, and Chris’s words weigh heavily on my mind. Staying with Logan permanently is not something we ever discussed. It’s way too early in our relationship to think about moving in together. I’ve only been there as long as I have because of my exceptional circumstances.
I undo my seatbelt when we pull up outside the terrace house. It’s been weeks since I’ve been back here, and to say I’m feeling uneasy about going inside would be an understatement.
“Thank you.”
“I’m not leaving you here on your own, Miss Ryan.”
“Please call me Brooke, and you don’t need to stay. I’m sure you have more important things to do.”
“I’m already risking my job by bringing you here.”
“He’d never fire you, Chris.”
“I don’t know. He’s changed since he met you.”
“How?” I enquire as we walk up the front path.
“Let’s just say, you’re very important to him. Work was always his number one priority, but now that’s shifted to you.”
“I’m lucky to have him,” I say. “He’s a good man.”
“He is,” Chris agrees. “And I’d say he’s lucky to have you also.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I rest my hand on his arm briefly before fishing in my bag for the keys. I gasp when I open the front door and step inside. “I forgot what a mess this place was.” I can see the horror in Chris’s expression as he takes in the room. “There’s a lot to do here, but you really don’t have to stay.”
“Actually, I do.” He removes his suit jacket, placing it over the back of a chair before rolling up his sleeves. “Where do you want me to start?”
“I have some gloves in the kitchen drawer. I’ll go grab them and some rubbish bags.”
Within an hour, we manage to get some sort of order back into the front room. We carried all the broken and unrepairable furniture outside and swept up all the glass and debris.
“I’m going to grab some steel wool and try to scrub off this paint,” I say.
“You’re going to need more than that. Do you have any acetone?”
“No. I do have some leftover white paint, but probably not enough to cover all the red.”
“I’ve had my fence at home graffitied a few times, and acetone was the only thing to get it off.”
“Oh.”
“Why don’t you start on one of the other rooms, and I’ll run to the hardware store and get some.”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“It’s no bother. I’m happy to be of some help.”
Reaching for my bag, I pull out some money and pass it to him. “Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it.”
Taking the rubbish bags into my bedroom, I start sorting through my clothes. Like the rest of the house, this room is trashed too.
After gathering everything off the floor, I start placing items into piles on the bed. At least I’ll be able to salvage some of them, but what’s torn will need to go in the bin.
Chris takes longer than I expected, so when I’m finished, I carry the bags to the bin outside and place the ones I’m going to keep by the front door.
“What the hell, Brooke?” a voice says, startling me. Swinging around, I come face to face with an unimpressed Logan.
“Hot Stuff.” I notice Chris standing in the doorway with an apologetic look on his face.
“Let’s go,” he says, reaching for my hand.
“I’m not done here.”
“Yes, you are!”
“No, I’m not,” I snap crossing my arms over my chest.
“I told you I’d hire someone to clean this place for you.”
My hands now move to my hips. “And I told you, I’d do it myself.”
“Brooke!” I can tell he’s angry, but I’m not budging on this.
Ignoring him, I turn to Chris. “Did you get the acetone?”
“Yes.” He lifts the bottle in his hand before walking around Logan to hand it to me. “Mr. Cavanagh called to see if you’d gotten home safe,” he whispers. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t lie to him.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to.” I planned on telling him where I’d been, I was just hoping it would be after the fact. Turning, I go to walk further into the room, but Logan steps around me, blocking my path. “I don’t want to fight with you over this,” I say, “but it’s important to me that I get this done. I can’t afford to lose my bond.” His eyes scan my face, but he remains silent. “Are you going to let me pass, or do I have to hurt you?”
My empty threat has a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re incredibly stubborn. You know that, right?”
“Well, that makes two of us,” I say.
“I don’t want you to do this.”
“Tough. I’m not relenting, so you can either roll up your sleeves and help or move out of the way.” He raises his eyebrows in defiance, but I stand strong. He may be used to paying people to do his dirty work, but that’s not how my mother raised me. “I refuse to waste money paying someone to do a job I’m quite capable of doing myself.”
His nostrils flare slightly, and I’m expecting him to lose his cool, but instead, he blows out a frustrated breath before removing his jacket.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.” Stepping forward, I slide my arms around his waist.
“This isn’t the end. I plan on punishing you later,” he warns, softly enough that only I can hear. I yelp when he slaps my arse.
Drawing back, my eyes meet his. “I look forward to it.”
“Minx,” he mumbles under his breath as I walk away.
“Are you sure you can’t come with me?” Logan asks, gathering me in his arms.
He’s been unexpectedly called to Melbourne on business.
“I wish I could, but I’ve already had enough time off work. This job is important, and I have a lot of people counting on me. Our annual concert is coming up and there’s so much to do; I’m already behind.”
“I hate leaving you.”
“You’ll be back tomorrow.”
“I know,” he says, sighing. “But that’s a whole twenty-four hours away.”
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Mr. Cavanagh.”
“My heart couldn’t get any fonder if it tried, Miss Ryan.”
“I will miss you though.” He reaches out, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight without you beside me,” he confesses.
“I’m sure you’ll manage.”
He releases me when his phone chimes in his pocket. Pulling it out, he looks down at the screen. “Chris is downstairs. I need to go; otherwise, I’ll miss my flight.”
Raising my hand, my fingertips tenderly skim down the side of his face. “Be safe, and good luck today.”
“I love you,” he says, brushing my lips with his.
“I love you too.”
“I’ll call you when my plane touches down in Melbourne.”
“Please do.”
He gives me another hasty kiss before reaching for the handle of his suitcase. “Chris will be back in time to take you to work.”
“Okay.” I stand in the foyer as he steps into the lift. “Bye.”
“Bye, babe.”
He blows me a kiss as the doors close. It’s only a day, but I know it’s going to feel like an eternity while he is gone.
“Can I help?” I ask Jill as I enter the kitchen.
“If you like. Since it’s just you tonight, I thought I’d make your favourite.”
“Salmon?”
“Yes. You can get a start on the salad if you like.”
“I can make my own dinner,” I say, “if you’d like to get away early.”
“That’s fine, dear. I have nowhere else to be. I usually travel with Mr. Cavanagh, but he insisted I stay here and care for you.”
“That was sweet of him. Chris stayed behind also.”
“Mr. Cavanagh thinks the world of you.”
“I think the world of him too,” I say. “Do you have enough salmon for two?”
“Oh, are you expecting company?”
“No, I was hoping you could join me for dinner.”
“I’d like that,” she says, smiling.
After gathering the ingredients for the salad from the fridge, I place them on the counter.
“Tell me about your family, Jill?”
“If you mean kids, then there’s nothing to tell. I have a sister who lives in Perth. I don’t see her as often as I’d like, but we talk on the phone a few nights a week.”
“You never married?” She falls silent. “I’m sorry if I’m prying.”
“Not at all,” she says. “I guess the right man never came along.”
“That’s a shame.”
She shrugs. “I don’t have many regrets—not becoming a mother, maybe—but otherwise I’m happy with the life I’ve lived.”
Once the salad is made, I grab a bottle of wine from the fridge. “Would you like a glass?”
“I’m not sure how Mr. Cavanagh would feel about me drinking on the job.”
“I think he considers you more like family than an employee, Jill. Besides, you’re my dinner guest tonight and it’s no fun drinking on your own.”
“Okay, you twisted my arm.”
We no sooner sit down to eat when I hear the ding of the lift as it arrives at our floor. My heart starts to race. Did Logan change his mind and decide to fly back tonight? He didn’t mention anything when I spoke with him earlier.
Standing, I rush towards the foyer, but I’m filled with disappointment when I see an attractive older lady standing there. Her dark hair is cut into a sharp bob, and the resting bitch face she’s now sporting makes her appear far less attractive.
Who is this woman? A key is required to get up to this floor, and I’m gathering after his uncle’s impromptu arrival last week that Logan isn’t the only person who holds one.
“Oh, hi,” I say, coming to an abrupt halt. “Are you looking for Logan? I’m Brooke, his girlfriend.”
“I know exactly who you are,” she bites.
“And you are?” I ask, taken aback by her rudeness.
“I’m Kathleen, Logan’s aunt … Johnathan’s wife.”
Although she speaks poshly, I don’t miss the disdain in her voice, or the disgust in her eyes as she looks me up and down.
“I see.”
John must have told her about me, so I gather this isn’t a friendly visit.
“I presume you’ve heard of me or is that a question I should be asking your whore of a mother?”
“Excuse me?” I say, taking a step towards her. “How dare you.”
“How dare I?” She laughs before taking the final stride that separates us. “You listen here, you little gold digger,” she sneers, getting up in my face, “I’ll say this once and once only: stay away from my husband.”
“For your information, it was your husband who approached me, not the other way around.”
I can tell my reply catches her off guard. “From what I remember of your mother, Johnathan was one of many, so I wouldn’t bank on him being your father.”
My hand’s fist by my sides. As far as I know, this woman never met my mother, but if she makes one more remark about my mum or her character, I don’t know how I will react.
“It takes more than just sperm to make someone a parent, so it’s safe to say biological or not, he’s not deserving of the title of father.”
“Well, I never,” she gasps, placing her hand on her chest. “But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything better from you. You’re trash, just like I knew you would be. It won’t take my nephew long to figure that out. A pretty face with no substance is his usual modus operandi. It’s only a matter of time before someone else catches his attention.”
“I can see why your husband looked for love outside his marriage. You’re just as cold and vindictive as I was led to believe.”
I don’t even see her hand rise until it connects with the side of my face.
“Oh, my goodness,” Jill says, hastily appearing at my side. “Are you okay, dear?” I nod instead of replying because I’m still shocked that she hit me. Jill gently moves me behind her, shielding me. “Leave,” she screams at Kathleen, pointing towards the lift.
