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Chapter 1

Birthday Girl

“Old age comes on suddenly, and not gradually as is thought.” – Emily Dickinson

I can’t help that I’m beautiful. There – I’ve said it.

I’m not saying I’m God’s Gift or anything, I’m just being honest. I won big in the genetic lottery, so of course I’d try to make a career out of it. Why should I apologise to my sister for my success? Just because I scored a modelling contract with the city’s most prestigious agency, an apartment overlooking the park and the most gorgeous boyfriend in the world, does not make me a –

“… selfish, conceited cow!” as she put it, storming out of The Lava Bar during my pre-birthday speech about how good my life was turning out. I didn’t even get to finish!

Growing up as a teenager, all Kasey wanted was to fit in with my friends and be one of the gang, despite being two years younger and having more in common with the seven-year-old bug-collecting boy from next door. You wouldn’t know by looking at us that we’re sisters. I was tall, slim, with glossy black hair and a well-proportioned face, whereas she was vertically challenged, had an unruly mop on her head from an unfortunate perm and was… how could I say it? A little… pudgy… to put it nicely. I loved my sister of course, but sometimes her jealous outbursts drove me mad!

As Kasey stomped heavily out the door, I went to dash after her but a hand grasped my forearm.

“Forget it, Kelli, there’s no use going after her, it’ll only end in a huge fight as always,” said Selena, a fellow model with The Goldberg Agency, face of Mystique Cosmetics and my best friend for the past three years.

“She’s right. Just leave her be.” My boyfriend and highly sought-after photographer, Grant Mills, tucked an escaped strand of hair back behind my ear.

I sat on a chair and fiddled with the straw in my empty glass. “Okay, I’ll talk to her when she’s calmed down. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if she boycotts my birthday party tomorrow night.”

“Are you kidding?” A wide-eyed Selena plonked her almost empty margarita down on the table and a drop of liquid splashed on my hand. “I doubt she’d miss a chance to rub shoulders with Max Sheldon. She’ll be there, you wait and see.”

She was probably right. Kasey had been at me for weeks about Max, asking if he had a girlfriend and whether he liked going snorkelling or bird-watching in his spare time. I could be wrong, but something told me the Max I knew – the most popular underwear model in the country, who held no modesty about his blessed DNA – was more likely to be found working on his tan than going snorkelling, and watching different kinds of birds behind his two-thousand-dollar sunglasses.

Grant’s warm hand squeezed my shoulder. “Anyway, don’t let your sister ruin your birthday celebrations, how about another round of drinks? Champagne all round, I say.” Without waiting for our agreement, he walked up to the bar.

Selena leaned forward over the table and curled her finger in a ‘come here’ gesture. “I’m so glad I can finally speak to you alone,” she said.

“What is it?”

I leaned closer and she whispered in my ear. “I saw Grant go into DSJ yesterday.”

“DSJ, seriously?” They’re only the most expensive jewellers in the city, specialists in diamond rings.

“Uh-huh.” Selena nodded with a twinkle in her eye. “I couldn’t see what he was doing, but he did come out of the store with a small gold bag.”

My hand flew to my mouth and then rested on my friend’s arm. “Do you think it means…”

“That he’s going to propose – yes!” Selena bounced in her chair. “I bet he does it at your party!”

“Oh wow! I can’t believe it. I mean, of course I’ll say yes and…”

Selena leaned back in her chair as Grant returned, carrying a tray of champagne flutes with their bubbling gold liquid and I forced myself to act naturally, smiling as he handed me a drink. “Thanks, honey.”

“So, have you decided whether to go to your school reunion on Saturday?” Selena asked.

“No, didn’t I tell you? Grant’s taking me for a weekend away as a birthday present. Besides, I’d rather leave those old school days behind.” Grant draped his arm around me and I nestled myself into his side, revelling in the warm leathery scent and hint of citrus in his aftershave, Fahrenheit by Dior, which I bought him last Christmas.

“A weekend away is more enticing than a school reunion.” Selena winked. “Especially as it’ll be a good way to celebrate the…” she paused as my eyes warned her not to let the cat out of the bag. Her mouth was known to be as big as her paycheck. “… milestone of your twenty-fifth birthday!” She nodded briefly and downed a gulp of champagne.

After the third round of drinks and another hour of chatting and dancing, we called it a night. It wasn’t worth having a shocking hangover the day of the real party.

“Don’t forget this, babe.” Grant handed over my silk scarf that I’d taken off to fling around during an episode of enthusiastic dancing.

“Thanks, honey.” I hooked the scarf around his neck and pulled him in close, planting a hungry kiss on his lips.

We walked out of the bar and into the balmy night air, stained with the stench of inner city pollution. Car exhausts spat out their fumes and passers-by puffed cigarette smoke from their lungs. The eyes of a homeless woman pleaded with mine as we walked past her on the sidewalk, her petite frame encumbered by a worn-out men’s jacket from the seventies, her nipples visible through a thin fraying singlet. I diverted my eyes from her uncomfortable gaze but then glanced back. I took a few loose coins from my purse and walked over, placing them in her hands. As though unable to speak, she nodded her thanks and squeezed my hand.

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