Page 77 of Life After

“And stupidly happy.” Suzanne laughed as she shook her head. “I feel like a teenager sometimes. It’s just…the way she looks at me. God, I could melt over and over again.”

“I won’t lie. I am jealous of you.”

Suzanne wished Tracy could have the happiness she had. She wished they could both have the most beautiful happy ending. And one day, Tracywouldhave that. Suzanne was just impatient and wanted it all right this second. “I know you work long hours, but you do need to find time for yourself, Trace. It’s not healthy to work yourself into the ground and go home to an empty house every night. You need some excitement.” Tracy opened her mouth to respond, most likely to defend herself, but Suzanne held up a hand. “And I don’t mean the excitement that comes with your job. Breaking up fights isnotexciting. It’s dangerous, and I worry about you every bloody day!”

“It’s the only excitement I can find, but you’re right. I don’t enjoy seeing the women fighting with one another. I’d prefer them all to live in harmony. Or, better yet, never find themselves in prison in the first place.”

“Well, yes. Living on the outside is always a much nicer way of life.” Suzanne smiled as she leaned forward and squeezed Tracy’s knee. “Please, try to find time for yourself. It’s important to me to know that you have what I have.”

Tracy settled a hand over Suzanne’s. “Maybe one day, I don’t know.”

“I do. I can feel it.” Suzanne’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, a sudden wave of nerves hitting her deep in her belly as she reached for it and placed it in her lap. She wasn’t sure she wanted to open the message for fear of it being the opposite of what Suzanne had hoped for. All she wanted was for Jen to reconnect in the best way possible with those from her past. “It’s Jen. I really hope everything is going okay with her and…Lyn, I think it is.”

“It is.” Tracy cleared her throat. “She really did cut Jen off completely when she was inside. The number of times I waited by the phone with her while she tried to contact Ruby’s mum… Well, it was several times a week.”

“I wish she’d had support while she was inside. And I know she did from her mum, but just more support, you know?” Suzanne couldn’t bear to think about the year or so Jen served in prison. To feel so alone, after already hitting rock bottom… Part of Suzanne wished she’d known Jen back then so she could have been a friend to her at least. “But I’m proud of the way she’s turned her life around. I know I’m probably not entitled to feel proud of her, but I am. I feel so blessed to have her in my life.”

“Of course you’re entitled to be proud of her. Regardless of when you met, sheisyour girlfriend, love.”

“I know.” Suzanne eyed the device in her lap and lifted it. “I’ll just make sure everything is going well.”

Suzanne braced herself as she opened the message but immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Hi, gorgeous. Just dropping in to say I miss you and I’ll be over in a couple of hours. Lyn made dinner for us and now we’re watching some old videos of me and Ruby when we were kids. Say hi to Tracy for me. I love you x

Suzanne’s heart swelled as she reread the message. Jen’s evening was going perfectly well, so she would allow her anxiety surrounding the situation to settle and fully enjoy her own night with Tracy.

I’m so happy it’s working out for you, baby. Don’t rush back. I’ll be here waiting and there is no need to cut the night short with Lyn. You have a lot of time to make up for with one another. I love you, too x

Suzanne exhaled a deep breath and looked up at Tracy. “It’s going well.”

“Ah, brilliant. I’m really happy they’ve reconnected.”

“Me too.” Suzanne narrowed her eyes when she spied her laptop on the shelf beneath the coffee table. “So, since I’m free for the time being, I think it’s about time we got you on some dating sites.” Suzanne reached for her laptop and opened the lid. “Get your best picture up and send it over to me. We need to find you a woman.”

“Suzanne.”

“No! I’m not listening to it. Best picture. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Chapter 28

Another Friday.

Another glorious day spent with Jen.

Suzanne watched her as Jen brought two drinks out into the garden, that devilish smile bright. They hadn’t done much today, they’d mostly lazed around and taken things at their own pace, but the sun had made an appearance late this afternoon, and Suzanne had known where she wanted to spend the remainder of the light. Here, on the outside furniture, mulling over her future.

The only certainty right now was that Jen would be in it. But when it came to work and where she saw herself moving forward, Suzanne was ready to throw herself back into what she’d always loved. Interior design…within John’s company. Well, her company, but she would leave the big stuff to the architects John had employed long before his passing. If it hadn’t been for them, Suzanne would have probably sold it off and moved to a remote island far away.

“I know you insist on not drinking when I’m here, but I’ve poured you a G&T.” Jen lowered Suzanne’s glass to the table and took a seat facing her. She sipped her own drink and smiled. “I’m really impressed by this alcohol-free gin. Remind me to pick another bottle up next time we’re at the supermarket.”

Suzanne nodded and enjoyed a sip of her drink. “I’ve had a lovely day with you.”

“Back at you, babe. What do you feel like for dinner?” Jen got comfortable, her ankle resting on her knee as she sat back in her seat. “Since the weather is gorgeous, I’m thinking maybe a chicken salad. But if you want something a bit more filling, say the word, and I’ll pop out to the shops.”

“A chicken salad sounds perfect. Nothing too heavy.”

Suzanne felt Jen’s eyes on her as she picked up the romance novel she’d been reading before she came out into the garden. “You okay? I know we’ve been relaxing today, but you seem…in your head a bit.”

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