Page 4 of Life After

“I know…a bit about broadband.”

“Wonderful.” Suzanne inched to the side a little, offering Jen access to her property.

As Jen rubbed the back of her neck and glanced over at her van, she had to consider her next step. She was still working, and technically, shewason a clock. “Is it urgent?”

“It could be if that would encourage you to come inside.” Suzanne winked, that playful smile still present. God, this woman was out of this world…and her mind, to be flirting with Jen. The differences between them were obvious for anyone to see.

Stall. Then decide what to do. Jen threw a thumb over her shoulder. “I’m on a bit of a tight schedule but I’d be happy to come back once I’ve finished the last of my deliveries.” Jen had no idea why she was humouring this woman, they didn’t know a thing about one another, but she could take a look at Suzanne’s internet if shereallyhad nobody else. “Would that work for you?”

Suzanne nodded. “Thatwouldwork for me.”

“Great. Um, I’ll probably be around an hour or so.” Jen swallowed, aware that she would absolutely be playing with fire if she came back here. The woman was married, for fuck’s sake.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Jen backed away and smiled. If nothing else, maybe Suzanne would leave her a great review for her service today. She lifted her hand and offered a small wave. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Chapter 2

Suzanne stoodin the living room, looking out through the window at the garden gate. The moment she had met her new courier several weeks ago, her mind had gone into overdrive. She couldn’t saywhathad possessed her to flirt with the lovely Jen, but over the last few months, Suzanne had found the strength to move on with her life. It may have taken three years and several failed attempts at ‘getting back on the horse’, so to speak, but there was something captivating about Jen. Perhaps it had been her cool, calm demeanour. Maybe it had been her appearance as she had stood so boldly in Suzanne’s garden. Confident, sexy…a little more on the masculine side.

Oh, you know exactly what it was.

Jen reminded Suzanne of the few relationships she’d had prior to her marriage.

Relationships with women.

The years before she’d laid eyes on her husband, the life she had before they’d met and fallen hopelessly in love, a different time. Another existence. Suzanne smiled, looking back on her past with fondness. She couldn’t change how her life had unfolded with John Dixon, and she couldn’t bring him back. But after a lot of therapy, Suzanne knew what she wanted. For fifteen years, she had dedicated her life to John and their work with one another, and now Suzanne was ready to try her hand at dating women again. She didn’t know what that looked like anymore, and yes, she felt unprepared, but Jen had caught her eye the moment she’d arrived on her doorstep…and Suzanne found herself waiting—impatiently at times—for each Thursday to arrive.

Jen.

Women like Jen had always been on Suzanne’s radar back in the day. Before John, she’d had a five-year-long relationship with Jay. Before that, a two-year relationship with Kat. Suzanne hadalwaysloved women—she had always been open and honest about that—and that would never change.

She cleared her throat as she looked over her shoulder and towards her office in the corner of the huge living room. Jen would be coming over soon, and Suzanne had to question whether she was making a mistake or not. Yes, harmless flirting had been something Suzanne enjoyed a long time ago, but the bravery she’d found as she stood out on her front step each time they met was unexpected.

Jen seemed lovely; she had to be to offer to come back after work. But mostly, Suzanne was focused on just how attractive she found Jen. Perhaps that was why Suzanne was now having second thoughts. Jen was likely to be involved, and Suzanne knew better than to assume she wouldn’t be. She’d done that before and only ended up disappointed.She thinks you’re married!Still, Jen had flirted back with Suzanne, so there wassomethingbetween them. Suzanne now had to decide if that something was worth looking into. Perhaps via a drink or dinner.

It wouldn’t hurt to ask…

Suzanne briefly reminded herself of the terrible date she’d subjected herself to recently. God, dating these days was painful.That’s over and done with. Suzanne focused back on courier Jen. Handsome Jen. Muscular Jen. She bit her lip as she smiled, fully aware of what was happening here. Suzanne couldn’t backtrack now.

Are you sure that’s what you want to do?

Yes. She was sure. Still, Suzanne would get some advice from her best friend. She took her phone from the arm of the couch and pressed the call button.

The call connected quickly, surprising Suzanne. “I was just about to call you.”

Suzanne’s brows rose. “Oh. Is everything okay?”

“Of course. I was thinking about coming over after my shift. Maybe with a bottle of wine?” Suzanne would love to have her best friend Tracy over, but she was hoping to be unavailable before the end of the day. “Unless you had plans?”

“Imayhave plans, actually.” Suzanne’s hands grew clammy when she saw Jen’s van pull up across the road. “I may be out having a drink with someone.”

“I’m sorry, w-what?” Tracy asked, confused. “This is a new development.”

“It’s not a definite, but I’m hoping it’ll happen when I ask her.” Suzanne was aware of just how ridiculous she sounded. In a matter of a few months, she had gone from never wanting to find love again to it beingallshe thought about. But Tracy had been her friend for a long time. She could be entirely honest with her about anything.

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