Page 59 of Heal You (The Study You #3)

Ten months later…

Morgan bounced on the balls of her feet as she checked her watch for the millionth time today.

Gillian and Finn sat on stools across the bar from her, appearing equally as excited as Morgan, so now she was waiting for Jan to arrive before the truth was revealed.

She’d never really been the type to spontaneously do something so big, and definitely not without Jan’s say-so, but Morgan couldn’t resist. For the last two months or so, Jan had been running the business alone while Phil took time off to be with Anais and their child.

For so many nights, Morgan had held Jan on the couch while she dropped off to sleep against her.

For so many days, Jan had just about managed to smile fully, her eyes tired and worn.

Morgan hated seeing her like that. Yes, she’d agreed to take on the bulk of the business for the period of time Phil would be away, but Jan hadn’t known about the new contractors Phil had been in talks with for several weeks beforehand.

When her girlfriend already had enough on her plate, Phil had intentionally added to it without being forthcoming in terms of the truth.

Morgan didn’t like that, but Phil had turned on Jan the moment he knew she was dating a woman… and he hadn’t backed down since.

“Any idea what time she’s arriving?” Gillian sighed and shifted in her seat. “I’m not very good at being patient.”

“She texted me about ten minutes ago to say she’s at home dropping off her laptop and files, and then she’d be here.

” Morgan lifted her bottle of beer and sipped it.

As of an hour ago, she was on leave. Something she rarely afforded herself prior to meeting Jan.

“You haven’t said anything at all to her? ”

“No, but mostly because Finn threatened to divorce me if I dared to let it slip.”

Finn nodded as she set her pint down. “Correct. This is Jan’s surprise and it’s Morgan’s job to reveal all. Not yours, babe.”

“I know. I know.” Gillian held up her hands and rolled her eyes. “God, I wish you wouldn’t all gang up on me like that. You two forget that Jan and I have been best friends since university. Lying to her isn’t something I enjoy.”

“You’re not really lying, though,” Morgan said. “You’re just not telling her about something in particular.”

Gillian pursed her lips. “Mmhmm.”

“Now, if Jan had specifically asked you about something and you didn’t tell the truth, that’s another matter. But I know she hasn’t because she has no idea about any of this. I don’t think she’s going to hold it against you when she finds out you and Finn are in on it all.”

Finn groaned and flopped back against her seat. “Now you’re making me worried because what if Jan does hold it against us?”

“She won’t. Trust me.” God, Morgan couldn’t deal with these two and their nerves for much longer. Anyone would think she’d asked them to help move and hide a body the way they were behaving. “Another drink to calm your nerves?”

Gillian emptied the last of her wine down her throat and lifted a shoulder. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”

As Morgan busied herself behind the bar, Jan strode through the door. As usual, she looked tired and in dire need of a nap. “Hi, babe. I didn’t think you’d be here so soon.”

“Large red please. Before I lose the will to live, I’d like to enjoy just one glass.”

Morgan stepped out from behind the bar and wrapped Jan up in her arms. “Another tough day?”

“Not really. Just…” She sighed and drew back. “I’ll sit down and explain.”

Morgan’s heart threatened to fall into her stomach. As of right now, Jan was supposed to be on a two week break from work. Something in her eyes told Morgan that was no longer the case. Fuck! “R-right, yeah. You sit down and I’ll get that glass of red for you.”

Morgan watched Jan for a moment or two, trying to decipher what was about to come next, and then she looked to Gillian who seemed equally as apprehensive. Was this about to turn to shit? Morgan really hoped not.

“What’s going on at work, love?” Gillian took control of the conversation, laying a hand over Jan’s on the bar counter.

“Phil came back to the office today, which I’m glad about.

” Jan lifted her glass the moment Morgan set it down in front of her.

She quickly sorted out Gillian and Finn’s drinks, but she listened intently.

“What I didn’t expect or want was for him to bring the baby into my office, introduce us to one another, and then have the fucking audacity to refer to me as Auntie Jan. ”

Morgan almost dropped the pint glass in her hand, horrified that he would do something like that to his ex-wife. “Nah, you’re not serious, babe.” Morgan glared, unable to comprehend how Phil could be so cruel. “Please tell me that never happened.”

“It happened.”

“And why the fuck would he think it was okay to do that?” Morgan clenched the hand at her side into a fist, turning her attention to Finn. Why? Because Finn understood exactly what she was feeling right now. “You think we have time to go over there?”

Finn snorted. “I’m game. I’d be more than happy to pay him a visit and remind him that he’s a piece of shit!”

“I just want to forget about everything for the next two weeks and relax. I’ve been so busy that I don’t feel as though I’ve had time to do anything meaningful.

” Jan shook her head lightly as she looked up at Morgan.

“You’ve been so patient with me this month and I want to spend whatever time I can with you while I have the chance. Just…enjoying life again.”

Morgan toyed with her lip ring as she held back a smile. “Me too, babe. Fuck Phil and his shitty attitude.”

Finn cleared her throat. “Yeah, Jan. He’s not worth getting upset over.”

Morgan eyed Gillian, but it seemed she didn’t share the same opinion as her wife. If Morgan focused hard enough, she was sure she would see steam coming from her ears. “You good, Gill?”

“No. No, I’m not.” She exhaled a deep breath as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I just…what the fuck is wrong with these men who claimed they once loved us? I don’t understand how they can just become so bitter towards us.”

Jan nudged Gillian’s shoulder and smiled. “They don’t like that we’re succeeding and happy. Fuck them. Morgan and Finn are right.”

The door that led to the flat opened and Ben stepped out. “Sorry about that. Mum called me about coming over this week to see the flat.”

Morgan grinned. “That’s no problem. There have been plenty of times over the years when I’ve been late.

It’s no big deal.” She took her set of keys for the bar from her pocket and tossed them in Ben’s direction.

“The place is all yours until I’m back.” She rounded the bar and pulled up a stool next to Jan, beer in hand.

“I have a fortnight with a very special woman and I’m going to make the most of it. ”

Jan leaned in and kissed Morgan. “How about we finish these drinks and head home. You still have a box or two lying around the place and I’d like to see the back of them.”

“Sorry, babe. I’ll be a little bit too busy for that.” Morgan winked at Jan as Ben wheeled out Gillian and Finn’s suitcases from behind the bar. “But we can head home for a little while. Just to make sure we’ve got everything we need.”

Jan’s brows drew together as she looked down at the suitcases then back up at Morgan. “I’m sorry?”

“I’ve got the passports and all the documents. Gillian even packed your case for you. I just want you to double check that I haven’t forgotten anything.”

Jan glanced in Gillian’s direction. “What’s going on?”

“We have it on good authority that Gran Canaria is excellent for unwinding when a particular ex-husband has been giving my best friend a hard time.” Gillian nudged Jan’s shoulder and smiled.

“We have a flight to catch in around five hours so I suggest you get that glass of red down your neck and then we can all be on our way to some relaxation for the next ten days.”

“T-ten days?” Jan’s eyes widened as she turned to Morgan again. “Baby, is this true? We’re all going on holiday together today ?”

“Mmhmm.”

Jan shot down from her stool and stood between Morgan’s legs. She cupped her face, searched her eyes, and blinked away a tear or two. “God, I love you.”

Morgan tucked a strand of Jan’s blonde hair behind her ear. “I love you, too. It’s important that you take a break and recharge. Why not do that in the sun…on a beach…with our friends?”

“The last of your boxes can wait. Right now, we have a plane to catch.”

“You excited, gorgeous? To be back in the place where it all really began for us?” Morgan wrapped her arms around Jan’s waist. “And I know we’d been together here for a little while beforehand, but Meloneras just…

reminds me of you. Of us. The early days and how we didn’t quite know what was coming. ”

“I’ll always be excited to return to Meloneras.”

“In that case, you should call a cab as soon as you’re ready so we can head back to our place.

” Saying that, knowing Jan’s place had recently become their place, it still sent Morgan’s mind into a spin.

But she was getting used to it. Everything just felt so beautiful when they closed the door at night and locked the world outside.

“I’ve already booked a guy to take us to the airport at five, so we have until then to be ready. ”

“Yes, let’s go! We can hail one on the street.”

Morgan’s brows rose at Jan’s sudden enthusiasm.

She’d known Jan wouldn’t turn down a holiday, but the doubt had crept in once Jan had walked through the door before.

Thank God her mood had lifted and now they were all happy again.

But Morgan would keep an eye on Phil when they returned.

If he needed taking down a notch, then so be it.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous when you smile. ”

Jan hung her arms loosely around Morgan’s neck and drew her into a slow, lingering kiss. “All I seem to do when I’m with you is smile. But that’s not surprising since you’re the only thing I need in life to make me happy.”

With a kiss placed to Jan’s temple, Morgan sighed with contentment and stepped away, shoving Gillian and Finn’s suitcases towards them. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’d rather be sipping a cocktail on a beach than in here.”