Page 63 of Life After

“Thanks, babe. For being here with me, for being you, for…everything, really.”

Suzanne sighed contentedly as she sat back in her seat. “Trust me, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Chapter 22

With her backto the entrance of the coffee shop, Jen tapped her bank card against the contactless reader and smiled at the barista. This place was new, and the smell of coffee coming from it had enticed Jen from the moment she turned the corner onto the high street. Judging by the food orders coming out from the kitchen, it looked like a good place to try for lunch with Suzanne.

Jen had a rare afternoon off today. She hadn’t known anything about it until she’d got into work this morning, and the manager of her depot had asked if anyone wanted to finish early. Jen had been the first to raise her hand, knowing where she would rather be right now. Curled up in Suzanne’s living room while her girlfriend enjoyed reading a book. Jen was more than happy to sit in the quietness of Suzanne’s home. It gave her the perfect opportunity to watch the woman she was so in love with. When Suzanne had told Jen she’d felt distant at dinner, she genuinely hadn’t intended to come across that way. Jen wouldn’t make that mistake again. Sheneverwanted Suzanne to feel any distance.

You couldn’t distance yourself if you tried.

Jen took her takeout coffee cup as they called her name and left the coffee shop before she could convince herself to sit down and have lunch. Ideally, she would surprise Suzanne in the next hour or so, and then they could have lunch together. She stopped outside the coffee shop and took her phone from her pocket. Maybe she should see if Suzanne was even available today.

Hey! How’s your day going so far?

Jen locked her phone and crossed the street, keeping the device in her hand. The moment it buzzed, she lifted it again.

My day would have been better if you were here. Can I see you tonight?

There wasn’t a single scenario that would keep Jen from being with Suzanne tonight. Still, she was sticking with the idea of turning up at Suzanne’s and surprising her.

Of course you can. Hopefully I’ll get off work on time. I’ll text you later.

As Jen stopped at the entrance to one of the local parks, she heard someone calling her name. That wasn’t common around here anymore. People preferred to avoid her rather than draw attention to the fact they wanted to speak to Jen.

She turned and scanned the street, smiling when Lizzie rushed across the road. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Not bad. It’s lovely to see you again.” Lizzie blew out a breath as she stopped in front of Jen. “Going anywhere nice?”

“Just thought I’d cut through the park to head back to Mum’s. Got plans and need to grab some stuff. You on your lunch break?” Jen didn’t know if Lizzie even had the same job anymore. “Are you still working at the bank?”

“I am. Today is my day off. If I’d known you’d be around the area, I would have called to meet up with you.” Lizzie bumped shoulders with Jen. “Maybe I could join you on your walk.”

Jen shrugged and sipped her coffee. “I mean, I won’t be walking for long or very far…”

“That’ll do me. I’ve already done ninety minutes in the gym this morning.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” She cleared her throat as they landed on the path that circled around the park, side-eyeing Lizzie. “How’ve you been?”

“Yeah, not bad, I guess.” Lizzie held onto the strap of the satchel resting across her body. “Life is pretty much the same as usual, you know? I work, go home to an empty flat, eat, sleep…and do it all over again the next day.”

Jen shoved her free hand in her pocket and shook her head. She knew Lizzie didn’t live at the house they’d shared together anymore. She’d let it go within a few months of splitting up with Jen. “I can’t believe you’re not married. Your Reecedefinitelytold a few people that you were married and pregnant.”

“As you can see, I’m definitely not pregnant. She was. And yes, therewastalk of us getting engaged, but you know when something just doesn’t feel right in your gut? Well, my gut feeling was right on the money.”

“I’m sorry she fucked you over, Lizzie. You didn’t deserve that. After everything I put you through, I really hoped you’d gone on to find someone ten times better.” Jen could never fault Lizzie when it came to their relationship. Until Jen lost her head, and even during those moments, for the most part, they’d had the most amazing relationship with one another. Lizzie really was the dream partner.

Lizzie linked an arm through Jen’s, surprising her. “I don’t think it’s possible to find someone better than you. Yes, you had a rough time, and I couldn’t be what you needed, but it was never about not wanting you anymore. I hope you believe me when I say that.” Lizzie squeezed Jen’s bicep. “I had to walk away so you could find the help you needed. God knew you didn’t want it from me.”

Lizzie wasn’t wrong. Not at all. “You’d think losing you would have kicked me up the arse, but nope. Good old me just kept on spiralling.”

“I know.” Lizzie held onto Jen’s arm and guided her towards a park bench. Jen turned to her, her brows drawn once they’d sat down. She couldn’t put her finger on Lizzie’s mood or the reason she’d sat Jen down, but the least Jen could do was give Lizzie the space she needed to talk. There certainly hadn’t been any talking back when she left. Jen was out of it most of the time. “I am sorry for leaving you to fend for yourself.”

“Honestly, it was the best thing you could have done. I was a waste of space, and you deserved so much more than that. But look, I’m out of it on the other side now, and all I can do is move on and live my life.”

“You…look great, Jen.” Lizzie lay a hand on Jen’s knee.

Jen narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. Was Lizzie flirting with her? No, she couldn’t be. This woman had left Jenyearsago now. “I had a lot of time to work on myself during prison and after it. I’m back at the gym, I don’t drink anymore, and on the whole, my life is looking pretty good.”

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