Page 39 of My Destiny

“Here you go, dear,” Jill says, sliding the mug of coffee towards me.

“Thank you.”

Raising the cup to my mouth, I take a sip before typing my message.

Morning,

Thank you for the phone. It was very thoughtful of you. Please let me know what it cost so I can reimburse you.

Brooke.

I was tempted to write Hot Stuff, but I don’t want him getting the wrong idea. A friendship is all we’ll ever have.

Placing the phone down on the counter, I reach for my coffee once more.

“What would you like for breakfast?” Jill asks.

“You don’t need to wait on me.”

“It’s my job. And Mr. Cavanagh left me with strict instructions to look after you. It’s not often he has house guests. Apart from family, you’re the first.”

That surprises me. I assumed women would be beating down his door. “Just a piece of toast will be fine,” I say.

My eyes move around the room. The kitchen is just as magnificent as the rest of the place. And though he appears to live an opulent life, it’s nothing like I imagined.

Butterflies churn in my stomach when the phone dings with a reply.

Good morning, beautiful,

It’s a gift, so there’s no need to repay me. I’m looking forward to seeing you this afternoon. We can go somewhere nice for dinner if you like.

Hot Stuff.

I ponder his message for the longest time. As much as I’m flattered that he called me beautiful, I’m not comfortable with where this is heading. My heart is at risk here, and my best bet is to cut all ties.

I plan to head home this morning, so I won’t be here. Thanks for letting me stay last night, and please let me know what I owe you for the phone. I insist!

I read over my reply numerous times before finally pressing send. It feels abrupt, and for that I feel bad. He’s been nothing but nice to me, and if it wasn’t for his occupation, I might even entertain the idea, but my track record with lawyers is less than stellar.

Only seconds pass before the phone starts ringing. Looking down at the screen I seeHot Stuff.I blow out a long breath before answering.

“Hey,” he says.

“Hey.”

There’s a brief pause before he finally speaks again. “Please don’t go.”

“I can’t stay here, Logan.”

“But it’s not safe for you to return to your place.”

“Well, I can stay at a hotel, but I need to go home and get some things. I have to work.”

I hear him sigh through the phone. “I have a few meetings this morning that I can’t get out of. I don’t want you going back there on your own. Promise me you’ll wait for me. If I shuffle a few things around, I should be able to get home around three.”

“Okay, I’ll wait,” I say, although it’s against my better judgment. But after everything he’s done for me, I at least owe him a proper goodbye.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN