Page 61 of Life After

“Baby, I have no problems with you seeing any of them. Lizzie included.” Suzanne lay a hand over Jen’s, disappointed if she’d given off that impression to Jen. “Hey, I love you, and I trust you. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I just want to make sure you’re okay with it. Even though Lizzie is my friend, I understand if you’re wary because we were together at one time.”

“You’ve done nothing whatsoever for me to question your loyalty to me.” Suzanne squeezed Jen’s hand and then drew back. Her own stomach was beginning to rumble now. “If I had an issue, I’d tell you, okay?”

“Okay. Let’s enjoy lunch, yeah?” Jen picked up the menu and perused it. “The arancini is to die for, by the way.”

Noted. Suzanne loved all things Italian, and arancini was certainly right up her street.

And then she heard a gasp from the side of her. She looked up and to her left, instantly aware that Jen’s mum was about to join them. There was no denying the similarities.

“Jen! I didn’t know you were coming in today!”

Jen got to her feet and hugged her mum. “Hi, Mum. Thought I’d surprise you.”

“Well, you could have bloody warned me!”

Jen rolled her eyes as she turned to Suzanne. “Babe, this is my mum, Denise. Mum, this is Suzanne.”

“The woman my daughter isbesottedwith.” Denise leaned in and hugged Suzanne as she stood up. It was one of those strong embraces. Sometimes, you enjoyed it; other times, it felt as though the life was being squeezed right out of you. Denise’s was a bit of both, but it warmed Suzanne inside. “So lovely to meet you, Suzanne.”

“Likewise.” They pulled apart, but Denise still held Suzanne at arm’s length. “I was as surprised as you. Jen dropped it on us both.”

“Mm. She likes to do that sort of thing.” Denise eyed Jen, but then she winked. “Bagged yourself a bloody beauty here, didn’t you, love?”

“Mum.” Jen slid down in her seat. “Leave Suzanne alone and just take our order. You can tell me all about what you think the next time I’m home.”

“The next time you’re home?” Denise scoffed. “Does that mean I’m not going to see you for a few days?”

“Not sure yet. But you definitely won’t see me tonight. We’re having a night in with the TV and snacks.”

Were they? That was news to Suzanne. Still, it sounded perfect. Suzanne could take or leave nights out. She could enjoy a movie at the cinema, or she was equally as happy in the comfort of her own home. Right now, her heart was swelling purely because Jen wanted to have a night in with her. This day was certainly a huge improvement on dinner last night. Everything felt…normal.

“Well, that sounds perfect.” Denise took her pen and notepad from her jeans pocket and smiled. “What can I get you? I wouldn’t want to keep you too long.”

“We’re in no rush, Mum. I purposely decided to come at this time so we could all have coffee together when we’ve finished lunch.”

Denise grinned. “Wonderful. I’ll take your order, and then we can get this show on the road.”

Bracedfor whatever conversation was about to happen, Jen smiled at her mum as she took a seat at their table. Lunch had been great. Suzanne hadrepeatedlymoaned as she took a forkful of food into her mouth, and now she couldn’t wait to get Suzanne alone. She had a feeling Suzanne knew exactly what she was doing—she had spent ten minutes erotically licking the tiramisu from her spoon, her eyes locked on Jen—but she could handle it. Suzanne was a whole lot of woman, but Jen was a whole lot of lesbian who woulddevourher the moment it was possible.

“How was lunch?” Denise asked as she kept her attention on Suzanne. “No problems?”

“None whatsoever. Lunch was great.”

Jen watched their interaction, not surprised by how easy Suzanne and Denise found it to strike up a conversation. Her mum had always been easy-going, and Suzanne was hardly introverted.

“Jen says you live over in the Belmont area.” Denise added sugar to her coffee, then sipped. “Must be very fancy over there. It was back in the day.”

“It’s…a home. I don’t pay much attention to the area or my neighbours. Some of them can be a little intense, as I found out when I foolishly added myself to the neighbourhood group chat.”

“Mm. I can imagine.” Denise turned her attention to Jen. “I hope you don’t try to be someone else when you’re over that side of town, my love. You’re perfect as you are.”

“Me? Be someone else? I don’t think I could do that even if I tried.” Jen had always maintained that someone’s personality and compassion made them who they were. It didn’t matter what car you drove or how much you had in your bank account. Everyone went into the same ground when the time came to depart thissometimesdreadful earth. “And anyway, I’m used to being over that side. I spent enough time there when I was a kid with Ruby.”

“That’s a fair point.” Denise nodded. “So, what plans do you have now? Doreen texted me while I was working earlier. She’s invited me out tonight for a meal with some of her friends from work.”

“I hope you said yes.” Jen gave her mum a knowing look.

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