Chapter 28
Another Friday.
Another glorious day spent with Jen.
Suzanne watched her as Jen brought two drinks out into the garden, that devilish smile bright. They hadn’t done much today, they’d mostly lazed around and taken things at their own pace, but the sun had made an appearance late this afternoon, and Suzanne had known where she wanted to spend the remainder of the light. Here, on the outside furniture, mulling over her future.
The only certainty right now was that Jen would be in it. But when it came to work and where she saw herself moving forward, Suzanne was ready to throw herself back into what she’d always loved. Interior design…within John’s company. Well, her company, but she would leave the big stuff to the architects John had employed long before his passing. If it hadn’t been for them, Suzanne would have probably sold it off and moved to a remote island far away.
“I know you insist on not drinking when I’m here, but I’ve poured you a G she usually did. Jen took herself back into the living room and sat down on the couch. While she didn’t expect Suzanne to tell her every last detail of her life—they had plenty of time for that—she did think she may have mentioned her company sooner. Perhaps Suzanne was just making sure Jen was the one for her before she dropped that huge piece of information.
Jen exhaled a deep breath and called her mum. When the call connected, Denise calmed Jen immediately. “Hello, my love.”
“Hi, Mum. You doing okay?” Jen lay back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “Been out with the girls at all this week?”
“I went for lunch with Maria yesterday. Lovely meal in the Indian on the high street.”
“Oh, nice. I haven’t had an Indian takeout in a while.” Jen frowned. Did Suzanne like Indian food? “Everything good, yeah?”
“Fine, love. I have the weekend off work, so I’m planning to spend it in the garden if the weather keeps up.”
Jen had thoroughly enjoyed spending the day in the sunshine today. She hadn’t managed it last year. What with being banged up and all. “It’s been a gorgeous day. That’s actually why I’ve called. I needed your advice.”
“Okay, I’m listening.”
Jen heard her mum sip what was likely to be a cup of tea.
“So, um…we also spent the afternoon in the garden.” Jen ran a hand down her face, still shocked that Suzanne had offered her a job. “Suzanne was telling me that she’s going back to the company she owns. I didn’t know anything about it, but it’s great that she’s thinking of doing something different. Or…going back to what she does best, you know?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Anyway, she offered me a job with her. At her company. I wouldn’t have to work at the courier firm anymore.”
Denise gasped. “Oh, that’s fantastic news, love. She must really see potential in you if she’s offered you a job.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Jen knew the potential she had. It just wasn’t possible to fulfil that potential in the area she wished she could. Trying to get her job back in education just wasn’t an option for her. She couldn’t deal with the rejection. Why put herself through it when she was happy as she was? “I don’t really know what I’d be doing, but Suzanne is definitely keen to get me on board.”
“Well, you and I both know that you’re not happy working where you currently are.”
“I know that, but it doesn’t mean I’d be any good at the job Suzanne gave me. She’s an interior designer, Mum. I don’t know the first thing about any of that stuff.”
“Oh, I don’t know. You decorated most of this house for me.” Denise paused. “Okay, it may have been a while ago, but you do have an eye for detail.”
“It’s one thing painting and decorating your house, but this is serious business. Like…I think the company is worth a lot . Bringing me in could jeopardise that, and I’d never forgive myself.” Jen only had to look around Suzanne’s place to know she had expensive taste. Her company was likely exactly the same. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“You could always give it a go instead of dismissing the idea completely.”
Yeah, Jen supposed she could do that. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“I think you should take her up on the offer, my love. You don’t grow unless you put yourself in those situations.” Denise had always had sound advice for Jen. She was the first person she always turned to when she needed a pep talk. “And if it doesn’t work out for you or you hate it, then it’s not the end of the world.”
“No, I know.” Jen pressed her palm to her forehead. Why did she feel so conflicted about this? Really, it was a no-brainer. “So, I should accept?”
“I think so, but ultimately, this is your life, Jen. Only you know what the right thing to do is. You’ve always been the kind of person who tries out new things, and that hasn’t changed. Live a little and enjoy something new.”
“Thanks, Mum. I appreciate the advice.”
“Always, my love. It’s what I’m here for.” Jen felt her mum smiling down the phone. “Now, can I interest you and Suzanne in Sunday dinner this weekend?”
“I… Let me speak to her. We’re hoping to visit her niece down south, and this weekend may be the only time I can do since I’ll be working through the week.”
“Okay, well, you just let me know,” Denise said. “And don’t forget to hand in your notice at your job if Suzanne is planning to hire you soon.”
“Oh, I don’t know when it’ll happen.” Jen would continue working in her current job until she knew more. She could never do what Suzanne had suggested and cut it loose without something else in the pipeline. While she greatly appreciated that Suzanne was willing to foot the bill for most things for the foreseeable, she just didn’t have it in her to accept something like that. Jen had always paid her own way, and that wasn’t going to change. “I’ll speak to her tonight and let you know.”
“Okay. I’ll wait to hear from you.”
“Love you, Mum. I’ll talk to you soon.” As Jen ended the call, Suzanne came strolling into the living room. “Hi, babe. I was just on a call with my mum.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine. She’s invited us over for Sunday dinner this weekend, but I wasn’t sure if we were seeing Elsie or not.”
“Jeff isn’t around this weekend, and Josie is visiting family in Spain with Elsie. Her sister lives in Valencia. She’s been there a couple of years now.”
“Oh, lovely. I’m sure Elsie will enjoy herself.”
Suzanne smiled. “Yes. They fly out tonight and get back late Sunday night.”
“Okay, well, we can arrange to see her some other time. She seems like the type of kid to have a lot of friends, so we’ll work around whatever Elsie has planned.”
“You think a lot of my niece, don’t you?” Suzanne lay down beside Jen, her palm splayed against Jen’s stomach.
“I do. She’s great.”
“She thinks a lot of you, too. As do I…which I’m sure you know already.” Suzanne smirked as she lifted up onto her elbow and drew Jen into a kiss. “Mm. You taste delicious.”
Jen grinned when she wrapped her hand around the back of Suzanne’s neck, pulling her down for a much more heated kiss. She would never get enough of the taste of this woman on her lips. Stars exploding behind her eyes was an understatement. “Hey,” Jen whispered as she drew back a little. “Are you sure you want me to work with you?”
Suzanne took her bottom lip between her teeth as she nodded. “Mmhmm.”
“Then I’m in. If you think it’ll work, I’d love to join you.”
Instead of responding, Suzanne rolled on top of Jen, the weight of her body a constant comfort. She brushed her thumb across Jen’s eyebrow, searched her eyes, and beamed the most beautiful smile. “It would be an honour to have you at the company.”