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Chapter 25

Sitting herewith Suzanne was a stark contrast to how Jen had left town earlier today. Dan’s words had been playing on repeat in Jen’s mind, the look on his face as she approached Toby in his pram stuck at the forefront. She hadn’t wanted to dwell on it, but now Jen was waiting for a call from Grace that would likely end in a fight. Even though Grace and Dan hadn’t been speaking the last time she brought Toby over, it didn’t mean she would be happy about Jen ‘ambushing’ Dan today. Because yes, that would be the story, if Dan had things his way.

“How was work?” Suzanne asked, sitting forward in her seat as she took her coffee cup from its saucer. “As busy as usual?”

“Today was…steady. Now that I know most of my routes, I have a good knowledge of the areas I need to head to. I’ve been ahead of schedule the last few shifts.”

“I guess it becomes second nature eventually.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Though, to be honest, it’s not exactly a hard job to get the hang of.” Jen grinned as she lifted her own coffee. She watched Suzanne. That confidence Jen was so fond of was beginning to return. She just carried herself differently when she wasn’t in her own head. “It puts money in my account, and that’s what matters.”

“Can I ask which primary school you worked at?”

Ah. Reminiscing. Just what Jen needed this evening after getting it in the neck by Dan. “Longmere,” Jen said, twisting her cup on the table. “Loved the place. And the kids. The parents I could take or leave, though.”

“Parents can be intense.”

“Intense is one way of putting it. But I get it. Their kids are their life, right? They want the best for them no matter what.” Even though Jen hadn’t been fond of some parents, she would still take their attitude above everything else she had to face these days. “I’m sure they don’t miss me.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I would miss you if you were my child’s teacher.” Suzanne smirked as she eyed Jen across the table. “And I know Elsie thinks a lot of you, so I’m sure the kids missed you when you left.”

“Maybe, I don’t know.” Jen relaxed into her seat and sighed, glad that another day of work was over and done with. Suzanne didn’t work herself silly, but she knew her girlfriend had been working today. “How was your day?”

“More work than I thought it would be.” Suzanne stifled a yawn. “I was planning to ease myself into it this morning, but it ended up being a busy day.”

“Maybe an early night for you? I really didn’t expect you to be up and about this morning when I got out of the shower. You must be shattered by now.” Jen may not have expected it, but she was sure as hell happy to see Suzanne’s smiling face first thing this morning. Jen was sure it had set her up for the day.

“I’m fine,” Suzanne said, taking Jen’s hand where it rested on the table. “I’ve been looking forward to dinner since you mentioned it this morning.”

“Me too, babe.” It had been the one thing keeping Jen going today. That and the idea of relaxing with Suzanne by the fire. “Did you want to bypass the walk after this and just head home? I don’t mind.”

“You know what…no. Let’s do the walk. I enjoy walking with you.” Suzanne softened as the server brought their food. The smell of delicious Moroccan dishes had Jen’s already growling stomach making much louder noises. “Thank you.” Suzanne smiled up at the server, then returned her gaze to Jen. “If you’re happy to walk still?”

“Not sure I care what we do after this, so long as I’m with you.” It was important to Jen that Suzanne knewexactlyhow she felt. Given what had happened when she brought up the fact that Lizzie wanted her back, Jen didn’t plan to hold her feelings inat all. If Suzanne needed reassurance—God knew Jen would need it at times, too—then she was happy to remind her. “I know I don’t usually stay over when I have to work the next day, but this morning was lovely, and I was kind of hoping the same could happen tomorrow.”

“It was my lunch, wasn’t it? Made you weak at the knees.”

Jen spluttered the water she’d just sipped and shook her head. “Don’t do that when I’m drinking.”

“Sorry.” Suzanne blushed.

“But to answer your question, I’ve been weak at the knees for a while now. The lunchwasdelicious, though. And very thoughtful.” Suzanne hadn’t just thrown a load of different snacks into a Tupperware. No, she’d taken the time to actually make Jen a chicken salad wrap, as well as prepare and cut fruit for her. But Jen was mostly impressed with the freshly squeezed orange juice Suzanne had sent her out the door with. “Honestly, babe. It was a really lovely thing you did for me. I appreciate it.”

“I like to take care of people. The people I love, more so.”

“Well, I’m very grateful.” Jen stood up and rounded the table, landing a kiss on Suzanne’s lips as she held her jaw gently. “Seriously, you’re amazing.”

Suzanne gripped the nearest belt loop she could and held Jen in place. She looked up at her with hooded eyes, dark and intense. “Your appreciation isverysexy, Jen.”

Jen grinned. “What can I say? I do try.”

“Now sit down before I drag you to the bathroom.” Suzanne inconspicuously brushed her hand down the front of Jen’s thigh, smirking when Jen took her bottom lip between her teeth. “Go on. Tame yourself.”

Fuck. The temperature had just really cranked up in this restaurant.

On shaky legs, Jen returned to her seat and slowly picked up her cutlery. The plan was to devour the lamb shoulder she’d ordered…before she took Suzanne home and devoured her, too.

Suzanne strolledalong the high street, her hand wrapped around Jen’s bicep as she snuggled a little closer. The temperature had dropped significantly tonight, but Jen was keeping Suzanne perfectly warm. She hadthewarmest hands; Suzanne could feel them through her own leather-gloved hand. But it was Jen’s subtle perfume that Suzanne found herself repeatedly inhaling. God, everything about Jen was intoxicating.