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“Sorry about that.” Suzanne regarded Jen with a filthy smile. Itwasher fault that Jen was hungry all over again, but Suzanne wasn’t really sorry. If Jen needed refuelling, then Suzanne was clearly doing something right. “We had a lovely morning, though.”

“What can I say?” Jen lifted a shoulder as they entered the restaurant and waited to be seated. She nipped at Suzanne’s earlobe and whispered, “Making you come is my favourite activity.”

Oh, God. Suzanne shivered, gripping the wooden table that held the menus. “You have to stop that. Especially here when I’m about to meet your mother.”

“Maybe it’s time to testyourself-control.” Suzanne was finding it painfully hard to concentrate now that Jen’s hand had slid to her backside. “Or maybe I’ll just tie you up tonight and see how long it takes you to beg me for more.”

Oh, my…

“I’ll see how I’m feeling later. Depends what I’m in the mood for.”

Suzanne lifted a brow as she looked over her shoulder at Jen. “You do realise I’ll punish you in return, don’t you?”

“Oh, I wasn’t planning to punish you,” Jen said, frowning. “But now that I know I’ll be punished, maybe I’ll tease a little longer.”

Suzanne cleared her throat when a server approached them. “Hi. Reservation for Dixon. Two people.”

“Perfect. If you’d like to follow me.” The server picked up several menus and walked away.

Suzanne and Jen followed, the atmosphere in here just perfect for a spontaneous lunch. Suzanne loved trying new places, and with Jen by her side, she loved it even more. As they took a seat, she watched Jen from across the table. “Gorgeous place.”

“Italian. Mum has worked here since Dad died, so over ten years now. She doesn’t need the work, but it keeps her busy, and I think she enjoys waiting on people. She’s forever doing it with me.”

Suzanne lay a hand over Jen’s. “I think that’s different, baby. You’re her daughter.”

Jen fisted a hand under her chin and gazed back at Suzanne. When Jen looked at her that way—an incredible amount of love pouring from her eyes—Suzanne could promise her forever. “She’s just that type of person. She wants to do everything for everyone.”

“Then she clearly has a good heart. Just like her daughter.”

“Aw. Thanks, babe. That’s a lovely thing to say.”

“It’s true. I’ve never met anyone who is so switched on. Even though you’ve been through a lot, you still see the positives in the world. It takes a strong character to put everything else aside and just live. At least, I believe it does.”

“I think coming out of prison taught me that I have a whole entire life ahead of me. Ruby doesn’t have that chance, but I do. I have to make the most of life for us both. It’s only right.”

“She would be proud of you.”

Jen lifted a shoulder. “She wouldn’t. She’d kick my arse. But all I can do now is move forward and do what I can to be a better person. Not that her mum would agree.”

Suzanne frowned. What did that mean? “Her mum? I remember you telling me that you’d tried to reach out, but it came to nothing.”

“Yeah. When you and I were…not together, I went to Ruby’s grave. Lyn turned up and basically told me what she thought of me. Said I’d ruined my life.” Jen cleared her throat. “She wasn’t wrong.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“I could have done with someone to talk to about it, but I only really have myself to blame.”

Suzanne regarded Jen with a sympathetic smile. She couldn’t imagine what Jen had gone through when Ruby passed away, but she equally knew it must have been hard for Ruby’s mother to see Jen ruining her life in some way. “I’m sorry. I do hope you can work it out in the future.”

“I’m kinda hoping that Lizzie and the girls will have some thoughts on it. We were all really close before Ruby died. I’m sure they still see or speak to Lyn. I just want to know if it can ever be salvaged. Lyn was another mother to me until I fucked it all up.”

Suzanne nodded, hoping Jen would consider her friendship group again. Knowing Jendidhave friends out there who still cared about her warmed Suzanne. As for Suzanne’s brief worry when it came to Lizzie, well…Jen had reminded her of what they had this morning. She had no reason to be concerned. Not really. “I hope they can give you the advice you need.”

“Would you feel better if I didn’t see them?”

“What? No.” Suzanne needed Jen to do whatever she thought was best for her. “Why would you think that?”

“Honestly?” Jen lifted a brow. “I think it makes you feel uncomfortable when I mention Lizzie, and I don’t want you to feel that way. I’ll say hi in passing, but that’s all. I don’t want to do anything to harm what we have here. We’re only just getting it back, and I’m not prepared to risk it.”