Page 94 of Life After

Jen drew back a little. “Set up?”

“Mmhmm.”

What did that mean? Jen narrowed her eyes. “What are they setting up? It’s just a buffet, isn’t it?”

“Not…quite,” Suzanne said, hesitantly. “I thought a buffet was too predictable.”

“Right.”

“So, we have a hog roast with all the bells and whistles, a pizza company who will make them to order, an ice cream van, and a Korean street food van.”

Completely shocked, Jen stared at Suzanne, unsure what her hands were capable of if she dared to touch her right now. This woman was so amazing that Jen wanted to push her up against the nearest wall and lavish her skin for the rest of the night. In this moment, that wasn’t ideal. People were due to walk through the door in the next thirty minutes or so.

Right on cue, the DJ strolled into the venue, his equipment already set up prior to Jen arriving. He regarded them both with a nod in acknowledgement and walked towards the area he would be working from tonight.

Jen took that as her opportunity to guide Suzanne out of the room and towards a separate empty bar area. “Babe, I don’t know what to say. You’ve done so much here, and I can never repay you for that.”

“Are you happy with the outcome of it all?”

Jen smiled. “Of course I am.”

“Then that is repayment enough.” Suzanne glanced at her watch. “Now we wait.” She pulled out a chair and sat down, then offered Jen the one next to her. “I hope you’ll dance with me later.”

Jen rested her elbows on her knees as she took Suzanne’s hands and held them tight. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life dancing with you.” Jen lowered her head and kissed Suzanne’s knuckles. “But most of all, I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you unconditionally.”

Suzanne gazed lovingly into Jen’s eyes, but it seemed she had something on her mind.

“What is it?”

Suzanne smiled as she looked down at their hands. “I…want more for us.”

“More?” Jen had been content with what they had so far. She was working within Suzanne’s business, she was earning one hell of a wage, and she spent practically every hour of the day with her. “Are you not happy, babe?”

“Oh, I’m far more than happy, Jen. I’ve been happy with you since the moment you walked back through my door all those months ago. I just…” Suzanne paused and shook her head. “I want you to move in with me.”

Jen’s brows rose. She wasn’t necessarily surprised; Suzanne had mentioned in the past that she saw them living together one day. Jen just hadn’t thought it would be one day soon. “You think you could tolerate me and my stuff there?”

“I’ve never once felt as though I was tolerating you.” Suzanne cocked her head and smiled. “For someone who has been in the position you have in the past, you’re the least problematic person I know. Please, don’t ever think I’m tolerating you.”

“I’m just worried that I’ll agree and move in, and then you’ll wish you’d never asked me.” Jen was fully on board with the whole ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, but she would have to come to terms with what her life was now at some point in the future. Why not here and now, in this moment with Suzanne? “If you’re sure that you’re ready for something so big, then okay.”

“I’ve wanted you to be at my place permanently for some time now, baby.”

Jen allowed the smile that was quickly spreading on her mouth. “You really think about the day when I move in?”

“Lately, it’s all I think about.”

Then it was decided. Jen would pack up her life and move it into Suzanne’s. It seemed silly to wait a moment longer if Suzanne was sure she wanted this. Jen, well, she’d never turn down such an offer given how incredible life had been lately. For the last three months, she enjoyed waking up and going to work. She enjoyed knowing that she was doing something that Suzanne was proud of her for. While Suzanne would never judge Jen for her career choices, it did feel good splurging and enjoying the finer things in life now that she was bringing in a decent and respectable wage. “When do you want me there?”

“Not tonight,” Suzanne said.

“Oh. I thought I was coming back with you when this has finished?”

Suzanne shook her head. “No. I have one more surprise for you.”

Jen wasn’t sure she could handle any more surprises. She was already overwhelmed by everything Suzanne had done so far. “Another surprise?”

“We’re staying here tonight. In the main suite.”

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