Page 74 of Life After

“No, Iknowshe would.” Jen gave Suzanne a knowing look. “You’d one hundred percent be the perfect pick for me if Ruby had things her way. She would have match made, then told me off for dragging my feet, then cheered me on when we eventually got together. She knew me better than I know myself.”

“I’m glad you had that friendship.” Suzanne often saw the pain in Jen’s eyes when she spoke about Ruby, but tonight, that pain wasn’t there. It seemed more of an…appreciation for ever having Ruby in her life. That, to Suzanne, was one hell of a special bond. “And that you still remember everything so fondly about her.”

“She had her faults, but to me, she was perfect. She couldn’t do any wrong in my eyes.”

“That’s all we can ask for in a best friend.”

“You’re right.” Jen exhaled a deep breath. “Now, what’s the plan?”

Suzanne kissed Jen, then got to her feet. “I’m going to finish clearing away from dinner, and then I’d like to enjoy a long hot shower…preferably with you.”

“You can count me in.” Jen smirked. “Hey, what will you do tomorrow while I’m not here?”

“I think I’ll invite Tracy over. We haven’t seen much of one another lately.” Suzanne would admit that she’d been giving Tracy a wide berth. To a point, anyway. While she was getting life back on track with Jen, Suzanne just felt it best to avoid any kind of situation that involved Tracy. She wasn’t quite sure how Jen felt about her being here. “I should try harder with her than I have lately.”

“You still blame her for coming clean about me, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say I blame her. I just wish she hadn’t come right out with it.” Suzanne carded a hand through her hair.

“I don’t think it’s her fault. Not at all. Tracy wouldn’t have felt as though she needed to come clean about anything if I’d spoken up when I should have.”

“Maybe not, but I still don’t like the way she dropped it on me. I’m almost certain that’s why I reacted the way I did.” Suzanne shouldn’t blame Tracy for her reaction, but it was true. If Tracy or Jen had come to her and explained everything calmly and from the beginning, then Suzanne wouldn’t have felt so betrayed by Jen’s lack of conversation surrounding it. “But it’s done now.”

Jen rose to her feet and followed Suzanne back into the kitchen. “I thought it was touch and go for a moment when Lizzie came back onto the scene, but you didn’t let it come between us, and that only makes me love you more.”

“I know what we have here. Reacting negatively would have been useless.” Suzanne turned to Jen. “And I’m sorry if you ever thought it was an issue. I promise you, it’s not.”

Jen tugged on Suzanne’s hand and pulled her closer. “This has been a whirlwind for both of us. And even though I’ve often wondered where I’m headed—it’s hard not to given where I was this time last year—I’ve never been uncertain about you. I’ve never once thought I couldn’t make you happy.”

“You make me very happy, Jen.”

“We got it right, okay?” Jen stroked the back of her hand along Suzanne’s jawline. “It may have been quick, and it may have come out of the blue, but we got it so right, babe.”

Suzanne leaned into Jen’s touch and closed her eyes. “We really did, didn’t we?”

Jen drew Suzanne in, their bodies pressed together as she captured her lips. These moments with Jen could have easily been lost forever just weeks ago, but they were here, and they were happier than before. Suzanne was sure of it.

“Jen,” Suzanne whispered against her lips. “Can you give me five minutes to finish up in the kitchen?”

Jen nodded as she took her bottom lip between her teeth. Suzanne could feel the fire building between them. She wanted to fan those flames until it was roaring out of control. Jen clearly felt it too, judging by the way she shifted uncomfortably, her eyes dark and intense. “If I must.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll be rewarded.” Suzanne drew her thumb across Jen’s bottom lip. “Maybe you could head up and turn the shower on.”

“I…wasn’t planning to shower just yet.”

Suzanne cocked her head and simpered. “Not even if I’m going to be in there with you?”

Jen released the arm around Suzanne’s waist, letting her go once she’d slid a hand to Suzanne’s arse and squeezed. “Better get to it, hadn’t I?”

“Mm. I think you’d better.”

Chapter 27

With a bunchof Ruby’s favourite flowers cradled in one arm—rich, colourful tulips—Jen knocked on Lyn’s front door and waited with bated breath. Even though Lyn had invited her over here, she’d also had time to sleep on the idea since, and Jen had to prepare herself for the possibility that she might be turned away. If that did happen, she would slowly slip off down the street, but Jen was hoping Lyn had meant it when she’d been here yesterday. If this came to something—and Jendesperatelyprayed it would—then she only had Dan left to contend with.

The front door opened, and Lyn smiled back at her. “Hi, Jen. Come on in.”

“Good to see you again, Lyn.” Jen stepped inside and pushed the familiar scent of her second home from her mind. Because that’s what this place had been. A second home where Jen had grown up feeling safe and loved. Her home life with her parents had been equally as amazing, but Jen had spent a lot of time here growing up. Potentially more so than with her mum and dad. She turned back as Lyn closed the door. “I…brought you some flowers. I hope you don’t mind.”

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