Page 8 of Life After

Oh, you’re far more than out of practice.

“A few minutes. I thought I’d wait for you before I ordered.”

Jen nodded as she sat down and caught a server’s attention. “I’ll get this round. What are you having?”

“I invitedyouout for a drink, Jen.”

Suzanne looked back at her with a sexy brow quirked. Fuck, she was also a sucker for women like Suzanne. Older, experienced, confident. Jen had only been in one relationship with an older woman prior to Lizzie, but she would say it had been more of a fling. Perhaps that was what Suzanne was looking for here. Especially if she was a widow. Maybe Suzanne was simply testing the water when it came to moving on with her life.

“I know you did, but I’d like to buy you a drink.” Jen smiled as the server stopped at their table. “Can I get a 0% beer, please?”

He nodded as he tapped away on his iPad, then turned his attention to Suzanne. “Oh, I’ll have a gin and tonic, please.”

Once he’d taken their order and left the table, Jen turned to catch Suzanne watching her. “So, thanks for inviting me out tonight.”

“I’m surprised you agreed. Today has certainly been…interesting, shall we say?”

Jen laughed as she ruffled her hair a little. “Yeah, you can say that again. I didn’t expect you to even invite me into your place, let alone here for a drink.”

“As I said to you earlier, I was attracted to you the moment we met.” Suzanne smiled as she watched Jen intently. “I mentioned I was widowed. It’s only been very recently that I realised I’m in the right place to date again. Life has been…a lot to handle. I wouldn’t dream of dating if my heart wasn’t ready. But it is.”

God, Suzanne’s honesty and confidence were sexy.

But Jen was thrown by the mention of dating. Is that what this was supposed to be? Perhaps it would be best if Jen just came out and asked that. At least then, she would know what was going on here. “Isthis a date?”

Suzanne smiled as she shifted a little closer. “Would you run a mile if I told you I’d like it to be? And if not now, perhaps in the future?”

Wow. What the hell was going on today?

Don’t get carried away. She’ll hate you once she knows the truth.

“I mean, sure. It can be a date.” Jen sat back against her seat and rested her ankle on her knee. The first thing she noticed this evening was that she didn’t feel an ounce of nerves around Suzanne Dixon. That said a lot, considering Jen didn’t know what dating looked like anymore. “I can’t promise I’ll be any good at it, it’s been a long time since I went on a date, but I’d like that.”

“How long?”

Jen cleared her throat. She wouldn’t mention the fooling around she’d done since Lizzie left her. Suzanne didn’t need to know about the one-night stands. “Three years since my last relationship ended, so…nine years since I went on a first date.”

Suzanne may have tried to hide the look on her face, but Jen recognised the surprise right away. All she could pray for now was that Suzanne didn’t throw a tonne of questions at her. Jen may be a convicted criminal, but she wasn’t a liar.

“I’m quite surprised by that,” Suzanne said as the server arrived with their drinks. They thanked him, and then Jen’s attention was back on Suzanne in an instant. Honestly, she found it difficult to concentrate on anything else. Suzanne suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure you’re not fresh out of a relationship?”

“I’m sure.” Jen lifted her drink and sipped. “I just haven’t been in a position to date lately. I’ve also had some things—challenges—to contend with.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Suzanne said, laying a hand over Jen’s where it rested on her thigh. “I hope things are better now.”

“Oh, yeah. Much better.” Jen gazed into Suzanne’s eyes. “Can’t complain, can I? I’m sitting here with you.”

Suzanne blushed, surprising Jen. Just this afternoon, Suzanne had freely flirted, but the first hint of Jen doing the same and she was flustered. Huh. Maybe Suzanne wasn’t as confident as Jen thought after all. “You’re very sweet.”

“Honest. I’m very honest.”

“Even better. A woman’s honesty is incredibly sexy.” Suzanne dipped her eyes to Jen’s lips, then focused on her gin and tonic. “So, tell me a little about you. How did you end up being my courier?”

“Just lucky.” Jen lifted a shoulder, aware that Suzanne’s hand was still resting on her thigh. “I guess we’ll see more of one another regardless of what happens here tonight.”

“I’m very happy to hear that.” Suzanne palmed towards Jen’s knee, then placed her hand back in her own lap. “Do you live local?”

“I don’t. I’m not too far away, but my best friend’s mum lives a few streets away from you.” Jen should really call in to visit Lyn, but there had been no communication with one another since she went to prison. Jen had tried to reach out, and she had hoped Lyn would perhaps respond to one of the letters she’d sent, but nothing had come of it. Jen couldn’t blame people if they distanced themselves from her, but it still hurt. Especially when Lyn had been considered another mum to her at one time. “I…don’t visit, though.”

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