Page 65 of Life After

“It’s serious between you and her?”

Jen nodded. “Very serious.”

Lizzie stood and wrapped her hand around Jen’s. “If it ever doesn’t work out, find me, okay? I don’t know about you, but I feel as though we’re not done yet.” Lizzie leaned in and kissed Jen’s cheek. “Iwillalways love you, Jen. We lost what we had, but you’re back, and you’re like a different person. I just…I hope you do the right thing and come back to me.”

Jen stood open-mouthed as Lizzie turned and walked away. As far as she was concerned, Lizzie had been done with her a long time ago. Still, her admission didn’t change anything for Jen. Her life was with Suzanne now, and it was a life she looked forward to every morning when she woke up.

Chapter 23

Excited to surprise Suzanne,Jen curled her hand into a fist and knocked loudly on the front door. She had rushed home to change, pick up some fresh clothes for tomorrow, and now she wanted to be safely inside Suzanne’s gorgeous, cosy home. It had taken everything within Jen not to tell Suzanne she was coming over; she just prayed she was actually home. When the lock on the back of the door disengaged, Jen breathed a sigh of relief.

The door opened, and Suzanne stared back at her with a frown. “What are you doing here?” Her gaze swept up Jen’s body. “Have you even been to work?”

“I have. The boss gave me the afternoon off. Quiet day today.” Jen shrugged. “Well, quieter than it’s been in a while, at least.”

Suzanne grinned, fisted her hand in Jen’s jacket, and dragged her through the door. “Does that mean I get to spend the rest of the day with you?”

“No, I only called in for a sec. Got somewhere to be.”

Suzanne’s smile quickly faded, but Jen was only playing. “Oh. Well, I guess a few minutes is better than nothing. But I hope you know I hate it when you leave.”

“Babe, I’m joking. Lock the door.”

Suzanne reached around Jen and flicked the lock. She took her hold-all from her, shoved it halfway up the stairs, and guided Jen into the back living room. “I’ve been bored out of my mind without you here.”

“I’m notthatexciting.” Jen snorted. “But I’ll take it.”

Suzanne sighed as she rested back against the edge of the dining table and pulled Jen between her legs. “I can’t believe you got the afternoon off, and now you’re here.”

“Where else would I be?” Jen leaned in and kissed Suzanne slowly. “I can’t believe you think Iwouldn’tcome here.”

“And you brought a bag.” Suzanne wiggled her eyebrows.

Jen burst out laughing. It wasn’t often Suzanne did those quirky things, but when she did, Jen found it adorable. “You make it sound like I’m rarely here. I spend more time in this place than I do at home.”

“And you don’t know how grateful I am for that,” Suzanne said, wrapping her arms around Jen’s waist. “Anything exciting happen while you were working this morning?”

Jen knew she would have to have the Lizzie conversation with Suzanne, and this would be the perfect time to have it. “Nope. But I was in town picking coffee up and bumped into Lizzie.”

“Is she okay?”

“I…think so. I’m not quite sure.” Jen hadn’t enjoyed turning Lizzie down, but she couldn’t change how she felt in her heart. “Could we talk? It won’t take long.”

Suzanne visibly swallowed as her arms loosened around Jen’s waist. “Sure.”

“Please don’t worry. There isnothingto worry about.” Jen took Suzanne’s hand and guided her into the living room. They both fell down with an oomph, the fire dwindling in front of them. She turned to Suzanne. “Are you okay?”

“I hope I will be.” Suzanne puffed out her cheeks and shook her head. “So?”

Jen held onto Suzanne’s hand, hoping Suzanne could feel how calm she was. “Okay, I’m just going to come right out and say it, and then we can move on with our lives, yeah?”

Suzanne nodded as she chewed her lip. “Mmhmm.”

“She…asked me to go back to her.”

The thumb stroking Jen’s knuckles suddenly stilled. “I’m sorry?”

“Lizzie,” Jen began. “She asked for another chance with me now that I’ve turned my life around.”

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