Page 54 of My Destiny

We’re on the move.

As we get into the lift, his reply comes through.

The car’s downstairs.

“Mrs. Johnston,” Chris says, as I usher Brooke into the limousine first. I give him a look as I pass. I need to do something about changing her damn name. “Mr. Cavanagh.”

“Chris,” I say with a nod. “Can you take us to Pitt Street Mall?”

“No problem,” he replies.

I raise the privacy petition before settling back into my seat. “So,” I say, reaching for Brooke’s hand. “I was going to bring this up last night, but when I saw you in those short-shorts, all logical thoughts vanished.” She bumps her shoulder against mine and laughs, but I’m dead serious. “Have you given any thought to changing your last name?”

“Not really,” she shrugs. “Don’t I need to be divorced first?”

“You need to be living in a separate residence from your spouse for twelve months before you can apply for a divorce.”

“I didn’t know that,” she says.

“You can still change your name, though, but it needs to be done legally by deed pool.”

“Oh. That’s something I could look into, I guess.”

“I can get the paperwork for you.”

“Okay,” she says, a little unsure.

I pull her hand up to my mouth, placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles. “No pressure, of course. Just something to think about.” As much as I want her to lose his last name, the decision is ultimately hers.

“Thank you. It’s definitely something I should think about.”

“Have you given any thought to what we can buy Lara for her birthday?”

“I’ve never met her, so I have no idea what she likes,” she says.

“She’s a typical eight-year-old girl.”

She shrugs. “Maybe some jewellery? What female doesn’t like jewellery?” I make a mental note of that statement. Although, apart from her watch and the small gold studs in her ears, I’ve never seen her wear any other jewellery. “When I was around her age, or maybe a little older, I remember my mum bought me a silver ring for my birthday. It had a small pink tourmaline gem in the centre, which is my birthstone. It was the first piece of jewellery I ever owned. I loved that ring so much.” She sighs before continuing. “My mum wasn’t well off, so I knew it wouldn’t have much value, but I felt like the richest little girl in the world wearing it.” A huge smile graces her face, and that sentence says so much about her. I love how unspoilt she is.

“Do you still have it?” I ask.

“No, I lost it years later. I was devastated.”

“That’s a shame,” I say, squeezing her hand. “When is your birthday?”

“October eighteenth. I’m turning twenty-six this year.” Her birthday’s only a few months away. I also make a mental note to write that down.

“And you?” she asks.

“I’ll be thirty-three next January.” We sit in silence for a while before I speak again. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“Why?” she asks with a nervous laugh.

“I’m just trying to get to know you better.” I know her body inside and out after last night, but the important pieces that make her the person she is, are what interest me most. I know she’s a good cook, loves to dance, and plays a mean piano, but that’s about it.

“Yellow.”

“Why yellow?”