Page 11 of Life After

“May I ask what happened to your best friend?”

Jen lowered her eyes and chewed her lip. She hated talking about it. It always caught her unexpectedly when it came to emotion. Jen didn’t need that tonight. Not when she wanted Suzanne to show an interest in her. “Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.”

“Oh, Jen. I’m so sorry.”

Jen could only offer a wry smile. She still found it hard to believe Ruby was gone at times. Just the thought of hearing her voice kept Jen awake at night. But it was also Ruby’s voice that kept Jen going while she was inside. “Best friends since the age of six…and she just died on me without a goodbye.” Jen rubbed at the handle of her cup, determined to keep herself in check. “Went to sleep one night and never woke up again.”

“It’s no surprise you struggled to deal with it. Anyone with a heart would have a hard time understanding something like that.” Suzanne shifted closer and placed a hand on Jen’s shoulder. It only made everything feel worse, though. “Did you have people around for you?”

“To a point, yes.” Jen cleared her throat. “Most of the time, I didn’t want any help. I didn’t want to be around people. But that’s in the past now, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.” Jen didn’t want to talk about the demons she’d faced. If she did, she would end up coming clean right here, right now. She wanted to know Suzanne before she kicked her out of the house, never to see one another again.

“I like your attitude.” Suzanne looked at Jen with such softness that she almost melted into the couch.

“Can I ask what it is you’re looking for?” Jen sat forward and lowered her empty cup to the coffee table. “Dating? A fling?”

“I’m willing to take whatever I can get at this point in my life. I’m fifty and a widow. Some people would say I had my happy ending when I met John, but I believe I should be given the chance to find love again.”

“I love that. I really do.” Jen shifted closer to Suzanne, hoping she wasn’t being too forward here. She lifted a hand and brought it to Suzanne’s cheek. “And I think you’re right. You should be given the chance to find love again.”

“What about you?” Suzanne leaned into Jen’s touch, smiling as her eyes closed. “How do you feel about potentially dating a fifty-year-old widow?”

“Oh, I’m ready. If that’s what’s happening here. If it’s something you’d like to explore. Us…dating.” Jen ached to lean in and kiss Suzanne. She wanted to show her that being fifty meant nothing to her. Jen couldn’t give a fuck about this woman’s age. She just wanted to kiss her. “Isthat what’s happening here, Suzanne?”

Suzanne drew Jen in, their lips on one another’s in an instant. Suzanne moaned when Jen’s tongue ventured into her mouth, and then Jen heard a light gasp when she palmed Suzanne’s bare thigh. Fuck, she had the softest skin. And her moans? Oh, Jen had missed that very sound from a woman. Honestly, she wasn’t sure how long she’d last when she did eventually get Suzanne naked.

When they pulled apart, Jen’s hand beneath Suzanne’s dress, she stared deep into Jen’s eyes. “Yes. That’s precisely what’s happening here.”

“Then I’m ready if you are.” Jen knew there would likely be days when Suzanne reminisced about the past, about her marriage, but equally, Jen would have days when Ruby’s death hit her harder than others. Then there came the matter of her decision tonotopen up about prison. Because as she sat there and looked back at this woman, a woman who had made Jen feel grateful for life right now, she couldn’t do it. Her mum was right. Thirteen months inside didn’t define who Jen was. She wasn’t a rapist or a murderer or an abuser. She hadn’t hurt anyone other than herself. Suzanne didn’tneedto know.

Suzanne narrowed her eyes slightly. “I lost you for a moment then.”

“Just in my own head,” Jen said as she cast her gaze on the tiny space between them. But all she saw was Suzanne’s thighs.Fuck!“Can’t believe I’m here, to be honest.”

“Is there a reason why you don’t believe youshouldbe here?”

“N-no. Just not usually that lucky.” Jen lifted a shoulder as she inched towards Suzanne again, her hand slipping higher. “An evening out with a gorgeous woman? Nah, those things don’t usually happen to me.”

“Well, I can safely say that this is happening.” Suzanne trailed the tip of her tongue along Jen’s bottom lip.

That one movement had Jen soaked beyond comprehension. Suzanne was either going to make her insanely happy or break her heart. In this moment, she didn’t care which. She just knew she wanted to be here. Jen dragged her nails down Suzanne’s thigh, knowing she had to slow down. “The day I get you naked, I’m going to lose my fucking mind. I hope you know that.”

Suzanne’s hand fell to Jen’s knee, and then she squeezed as she whispered, “I can’t wait.”

Chapter 5

With a spring in her step,Jen took the stairs quickly and rushed into the living room. Today, she was feeling alive. Today, she was hopeful of life after prison. God, Suzanne had really been amazing last night, and Jen couldn’t wait until the next time they saw one another. She wouldn’t push a second date, but she was definitely ready for one. They’d hit it off far too well for any other outcome.

“Morning, love.” Jen’s mum crept up behind her and kissed her on the cheek. “How was last night?”

“It was great, Mum.” Jen knew she was wearing a ridiculously huge smile, but she didn’t care. She hadn’t had much to smile about for a long time. “She…wants to see me again.”

“Of course she does. I’d expect nothing less.” Denise busied herself in the kitchen, pottering about as she usually did first thing in the morning. “You have the day off, don’t you?”

“Yeah. Not sure what I’m going to do with myself yet. I thought I might go for a run.” Jen rested back against the counter, smiling when her mum handed her a cup of tea. “Thanks.”

“I’ll be leaving for work around midday. I’ll be home by nine, though.” Denise worked at a local restaurant. It was something to keep her busy since Jen’s dad had died ten years ago. “Maybe you could come in, and I’ll treat you to your dinner.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’ll sort myself out here. I thought maybe a quiet night in with the TV would be good for me. It’s been a busy week, and I’m back at work tomorrow. Only half day, but still.”

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