Page 12 of Life After

“That sounds like a wonderful evening. Wish I could join you.” Denise patted Jen’s cheek as she passed her by and moved into the living room.

“Hey, Mum?” Jen followed, clearing her throat as Denise turned to her. “Could I borrow some cash? I’ll pay you back when I get paid next week.”

“Jen.” Denise gave her a knowing look. “You don’t need to borrow cash from me. The money from your dad is still there. I haven’t touched it.”

Jen shook her head. “I told you that’s yours. After everything I put you through, I don’t deserve it.”

“Are you alive and healthy? Are you in a better place than you were?” Jen nodded in response. “Then you do deserve it. You lost your way, you’ve done your time, and now you’re home. The money is there. It belongs to you. He left itto you.”

When Jen’s dad had passed away, he’d left them all a chunk of money each via his life insurance policy and will. When Jen hit the bottom, her mum convinced her to transfer it out of her account. The twenty-five grand still sat in one of Denise’s savings accounts five years on.

“I probably owe you more than what’s even in the account. I told you to keep it for yourself. It’s all I can offer you.”

“I’d rather you used it to set up your future. I’d rather you spent it on yourself.” Denise motioned for Jen to sit down on the couch beside her. “Punishing yourself forever isn’t going to help you move on, Jen. Treat yourself to a new wardrobe. Buy yourself a little runaround car. Go on bloody holiday. Dosomethingwith it, please.”

“It wouldn’t feel right.” Jen cast her gaze on the carpet. “I don’t feel like I deserve it.”

“Okay. What did you want to borrow money for?”

Jen wasn’t sure if it would be too much, but she wanted to thank Suzanne in some way for last night. “I wanted to send my date some flowers.”

“Well then, I’m going to transfer some of your own money to you. Maybe you could arrange dinner with her sometime. Treat her and yourself. You do deserve it, Jen. You’re picking yourself back up. Don’t deprive yourself of happiness.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Jen leaned in and hugged her mum. Deep down, Jen knew she would have to allow herself some happiness eventually. Her punishment had been and gone. Jen just wanted to live again. “And if you’re sure, I’ll accept the money.”

“No need to accept it, love. It’s yours, and it always was.”

Jen nodded as she sat back and sipped her cuppa. Maybe if she could show Suzanne that she was financially stable-ish, then when the truth came to light, it wouldn’t be so bad. “Any idea if or when I should tell her yet?”

“Just enjoy yourself with her. I wouldn’t be hasty in any decisions right now. Be yourself, and I’m sure she’ll love everything she sees.”

Jen was capable of finding love. She was capable of being the perfect partner for someone. That would never change, no matter what her past involved. She had always been a romantic at heart, and if she had her way, she was going to romance Suzanne hard. “I do really like her. She’s older, but maybe that’s exactly what I need. Someone who isn’t going to lead me astray, you know?”

“If you’re happy, I’m happy.” Denise squeezed Jen’s knee and then rose to her feet. “I’ll take care of that bank transfer while you pick some gorgeous flowers.”

As Denise left the room, Jen sighed. Was that a hint of contentment she felt?Huh.

While she didn’t need someone else to complete her, Jen would admit to feeling on top of the world today. Wasn’t life a funny thing? Just yesterday, Jen couldn’t be bothered to leave her bed. But this morning? Oh, this morning, she felt like an entirely different person.

As she sighed contentedly, her phone buzzed in the middle pocket of her hoodie. It wasn’t often her phone alerted her to anything. Not many people had her new number.

Thank you for the perfect date. I’d love to see you again x

Jen grinned to herself as she reread the message over and over again. Suzanne had initiated contact, and now, Jen didn’t know how to respond. Maybe she would take those flowers over there herself instead of sending them.

Thank you for being the perfect date. You let me know when you want that second date. Dinner is on me x

With the strangest sense of peace, Jen lowered her phone to her knee and rested her head back on the couch. Maybe she would rejoin the gym and get herself back in shape. If she was going to use the money her dad had left her, she should use it for her wellbeing first and foremost.

Suzanne loweredher pruning shears to the floor and took a seat on the doorstep. She hadn’t expected such good weather today, but it was certainly helping her garden early this year. Spring seemed to have appeared out of the blue.Your focus has been elsewhere. Suzanne smiled. She should have been doing this at the weekend, today was supposed to be a working day, but she couldn’t focus on work. Whenever she sat down at her desk, all she could think about was Jen’s hand high up on her thigh. Those delicate fingers stroking her skin. Jen’s lips as they reminded Suzanne of happier times. Jesus, that woman could kiss.

She sipped from her water bottle and allowed herself a moment to feel content. Everything seemed brighter today. Life was certainly looking up. She hoped Jen felt the same way. It was unusual for Suzanne to find a connection so suddenly, but she meant what she’d said to Jen last night. She deserved to find love again. It always helped when the woman you were on a date with was so easy to be around. Suzanne wasn’t the type to become anxious at the idea of a date, but she hadn’t known it could be so easy. She also hadn’t imagined that Jen would be looking for something a little more serious than a fling.

She’s not fling material, and neither are you.

Suzanne knew that without a doubt. There was something about Jen that made Suzanne want to sit up and listen. When she gave over her attention, Suzanne found it hard to look away from Jen. Tracy may suggest that Suzanne needed to explore and date for a while, but she knew what she wanted. And it was Jen. Why deprive herself of that? Why push down the feeling she had around her when it was so good? No, it was time to focus on what she wanted. Not everyone else.

Suzanne took her phone from her pocket and brought up Jen’s response from earlier. Was tonight too soon for those dinner plans? Probably.

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