Page 29 of A Fighter’s Love

Stella steered them toward a small Italian restaurant down a cobbled side street. Inside it was cool and quiet and the lighting dim—which was a relief after the hot journey across London and the bustling crowds.

A waiter offered them a table at a booth set away from other diners, and Jenny slid into it happily, enjoying the aromas lacing her palate—oregano, basil, tomato and garlic.

Sian picked up a menu and sighed. “I’m really hungry. It’s been a busy week. I’ve barely stopped.”

“You’ve a busy household,” Stella said.

“Tell me about it.” She peered at the tasty offerings. “It’s going to have to be the seafood linguine, my favorite.”

“Good call, I’ll have that as well.”

Jenny scanned the dishes listed on the folded card before her, but didn’t really absorb them. “Make that three,” she said. Food wasn’t what she really wanted to talk about.

“Perfect.” Stella grinned then leaned forward, her hands clasped on the table. “So tell all, Jenny. Who is this date with tonight?”

Jenny cleared her throat and looked between the two women. “It’s err…” Hesitating, she tried to find the words. It wasn’t something she’d ever thought she’d say. “It’s actually with two guys, from the gym, the ones I mentioned.”

Stella glanced at Sian whose eyebrows raised a fraction, then they both turned back to Jenny.

“Twoguys,” Stella said slowly. “I remember you mentioning a drink, that they were both gay.” Again she glanced at Sian, but only briefly.

Sian kept her attention on Jenny, her expression serious.

“Gay,” Jenny repeated. She glanced around. There was only one thing for it, and that was to find out what these two women thought of it all. She had no one else to turn to, discuss it with, and from what she gathered if anyone was going to understand, give her some advice, it was Stella and Sian.

“Tell us,” Stella encouraged. “We won’t breathe a word of what you say to anyone else.”

“I believe you.” Jenny pulled in a breath. “I kissed him, Dale, the other night.”

There were no sharp intakes of breath, no expressions of surprise.

“What happened, with this kiss?” Sian asked.

“And he seemed to like it.” Jenny blew out a breath. “Hell, more than like it. He hoisted me into the air and pinned me to the wall. I could hardly breathe.” She giggled.

Stella grinned. “Go you.”

“Until…” Jenny said, becoming serious again. “I mentioned Jackson, that’s the other guy, then the whole situation flipped on its head and next thing he was gone.”

“Gone?” Sian sounded shocked.

“Yes, he freaked out and left the building.”

“Why? What did you say?” Stella leaned back as the waiter set down three glasses of iced water. Each had a slice of lemon floating on the surface.

Jenny waited until he was out of earshot. “I said I thought there was something between the two of them.”

“And he took offence to that?” Stella asked. “I can see how some guys would.”

“But you genuinely think these two have something, a spark?” Sian added.

“More than that,” Jenny said. “I think they’re a full on item.”

“What makes you suspect that?” Stella asked.

“They finish each other’s sentences. Whenever one is there, the other is too, they’re always together. And the way they look at each other, when they think no one else is taking any notice…fuck, there’s enough heat in those gazes to start a wild fire.”

“I think you have to trust your instincts on this one,” Sian said. “Why would your imagination be making it up? There’s no reason for it to.”

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