Page 89 of Life After

Jen was grateful for Dan’s apology, it meant life wouldn’t be so awkward now, but she wasn’t sure she could truly forgive him just yet. She wasn’t convinced that he didn’t hate her anymore. It had been so severe as it was happening that she found it hard to believe he wasn’t just doing this for the sake of Grace. “Yeah, thanks.”

“I’ve, uh…I’ve cut them off.” Dan looked down at his boots as he wrapped a hand around the back of his neck. “It was for the best.”

Jen’s brows drew together. “Cut who off?”

“The family. My dad and brother.”

“Why?” Jen knew why, but she was also almost certain that Dan knew who his brother and father were long before Jen told him. Most of the town did, so how could he be so oblivious?

“I don’t want Toby in that environment. I don’t want him to grow up being known as a Pritchard.”

“Well, that’s going to be difficult given the fact he has your surname, Dan.” He clearly hadn’t thought about that, but really, none of this was Jen’s business. So long as Toby was happy and healthy, that was her sole concern. “And not all of the Pritchard family are terrible people. I mean, you’re not.”

Dan laughed. “Didn’t think I’d hear that coming from you.”

“I may not quite like you yet, but I do have to admire the fact that you wanted to protect your son. It means you have a good heart. Your opinion of me may be bullshit, and I don’t like that you’ve kept my nephew from me for all this time, but I plan to make up for that.”

“I went too far, I realise that.” Dan held up his hands, a genuine look of remorse in his eyes. “I’m surprised Grace even wanted me here today. Or you and Suzanne.”

“This was Suzanne’s idea. It’s her home, and who she chooses to invite into it is entirely up to her.” Jen probably would have suggested Dan stay at home if she’d had things her way, but Suzanne had asked her to try, to see how Jen and Dan shared a space with one another, and so far…she didn’t hate it. “And like I said, I plan to make up for the time I’ve lost with Toby. That starts right here, right now.”

Dan smiled. “I know. And I won’t stop that from happening. I swear to you, I won’t.”

“I know you won’t.” Even if Dan tried to, Jen was so over him dictating their lives. She wasn’t putting up with it any longer. She had a woman she loved by her side, a mother who had kept her going, and a sister who wanted everyone to get along. If Dan thought for one second that he could stop that, he was sadly mistaken. Jen may have been playing the game up until now—keeping everyone happy except for herself—but no more. Andneveragain.

“I would like it if we could try to be cool with one another, though. You know, for Grace and that.”

“So, not becauseyouwant us to be cool with one another?”

Dan scrubbed a hand down his face. “No, that’s not what I meant. But like…for now. Until you’re feeling more comfortable with me.”

Jen narrowed her eyes as she stared back at Dan. She knew Grace had given him an ultimatum before they’d all met at Denise’s, but had she been on his back since then, too? Huh. Maybe her sisterwasfinally coming through for her. “That works for me.”

“Good. That’s good.” Dan nodded as he hitched a thumb towards the throws and cushions on the grass. “I’ll get back over there. Take it easy, Jen.”

As Dan turned, Jen cleared her throat. “Hey, Dan?”

“Yeah?” Dan looked back over his shoulder.

“Just for the record. I would have been cool with you from the moment I came home. I’ve never had an issue with you. So, maybe you should tell yourself the very same thing you’ve just told me because, honestly, you don’t look like you wanted to say anything of the kind.”

“No, I did want to say it. I just feel a bit shit about it all, to be honest. Ashamed.” Dan sighed as his shoulders slumped. “Grace is still being really off with me since she found out about our thing in the street. I’m hoping she can forgive me at some point, but I know she’s hurt. You’re her sister, though, and I get it. I really do.”

Jen extended a hand. All she wanted was peace and quiet. Was that too much to ask for? “Quits, okay?”

Dan eventually smiled when he took Jen’s hand and shook it. “Definitely. Quits.”

“Auntie Jen?” Suzanne’s gentle voice pierced the air as Dan turned and walked away. He briefly stopped in front of Suzanne, and then he was gone. Suzanne watched Jen from the edge of the decking, studying her. “Everything okay, baby?”

“Yeah, fine. Dan was just apologising for everything that happened.”

“He…didn’t apologise when he came to your mum’s that day?” Suzanne frowned, bouncing Toby in her arms as she approached Jen. “I thought he had.”

“He sort of did. This one was a little more heartfelt…I think.” Jen waved a hand. “Anyway, enough about him. How are you two getting on?”

“Oh, perfect. We’re best friends.” Suzanne grinned when she dipped her head and kissed Toby’s hair. “He’s adorable, and now that I’ve spent some uninterrupted time with him, I see that he looksa lotlike you.”

Jen pushed out her bottom lip. “Poor child.”

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