Page 50 of My Destiny

Chris’ eyes widen the moment he notices me crossing the street. “Couldn’t stay away?” he remarks, smirking as I approach. He seems amused by watching me lose my nuts over a woman.

“Four eyes are better than two, fucker,” I retort, passing him and entering the studio. I shake my head when I hear him chuckle. He’s seeing a side of me that even I don’t recognise. This woman has me tied up in knots.

All eyes are on me when I enter the reception area. “Can I help you?” the young girl behind the desk asks.

“Hi. I’m here for Brooke.”

“Brooke Johnston?”

“Yes,” I say, inwardly cringing at the use of her last name. She needs to divorce Jake, or at the very least change her name.

“She’s in the middle of a class, but if you’d like to take a seat, I’ll let her know you’re here.”

“Thank you.” I look over towards the line of seats along the wall. Half of them are occupied, and I seem to be the main attraction for the assembled dance mum’s. Surely I’m not the first man to enter these premises.

Loosening my tie, I take a seat. When music starts playing in the other room, it vibrates through the floorboards. Through the large viewing window on the far wall, I see the dancers scramble to get into place. Brooke walks into the frame, and my heart instantly starts to beat out of my chest. She looks beautiful. She’s dressed in a black leotard and tights, with a sheer, flowing skirt hanging from her waist. Her hair is pulled back into a tight bun, and she looks every bit the dancer.

She stops in the centre of the window, facing towards me. She’s looking straight at me, but her face is void of emotion. Is she upset that I’m here?

Raising my hand, I give her a small wave, and the two ladies beside me giggle. My head snaps in their direction. I’m about to ask them what’s so funny, when one of them speaks. “It’s a one-way mirror. We can see in, but they can’t see out.”

“Right,” I say, running my hand through my hair, feeling like a fool. Thank Christ Chris is still outside and didn’t see me do that.

Clearing my throat, I settle back into the chair and cross my arms over my chest. I’m going to sit here and not move.

I find myself smiling as I watch her. Her movements are so graceful; she looks like she’s swept away in the music. I’ve noticed her face light up whenever she talks about dancing, and I can see firsthand why. There’s no denying her talent.

I don’t dance. I even hid away in the restroom for close to an hour at my sister’s wedding, just so I didn’t have to participate in the bridle waltz. If someone had told me a few a weeks ago that I’d be sitting in a dance studio in the middle of a work day, I would’ve called bullshit, but fuck me if I couldn’t sit here all day and watch her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Brooke

When the class is finished, I gather all my stuff. I’ve only missed a few days, but it feels so good to be back.

“Psst, Brooke.” I turn around to see Laura, the receptionist, coming towards me. “There’s a guy out there wanting to see you,” she whispers.

“A guy?” My heart drops. Please don’t tell me Jake has showed up here. “Did he give you a name?” I haven’t mentioned anything about what’s going on in my personal life, not even to Ellen, the owner of the studio.

“Crap, I forgot to ask.”

“What’s he look like?”

“He looks like my future husband,” she says. “Talk about hot. He makes all my lady parts tingle.”

“Oh my god,” I reply, playfully slapping her arm. Only one man I know could evoke that kind of reaction. “Dark hair, green eyes?”

“Ah-huh. And dressed in a suit. Is he your boyfriend? If not, can you introduce me?” She holds her hands up in front of her in a praying motion. My first reaction is to say no, he’s mine. But the truth is, he isn’t. When I don’t reply, she doesn’t push it. “You want me to send him in?”

“Sure. Thanks.” The butterflies are instant. This man makes me feel way more than I’m comfortable with.

“Hey,” I say when he enters the room. He looks as gorgeous as ever. I can see exactly where Laura was coming from.

“Hey.”

“I’m surprised to see you here.”

“I was in the neighbourhood, so I thought I’d drop in and say hi.”