Page 46 of Chasing Temptation
Epilogue
Three months later...
Christmas was everything I hoped it would be and more. The six of us ate, drank, laughed, and made memories together. The holidays are for family, and that’s exactly how we spent it.
The day before we left the flat, I found Quinn writing a Christmas card. I was a little surprised seeing as she’d quite happily left her old life behind and I wasn’t aware of anyone in her new life she’d want to send one to that we hadn’t already.
When I peered over her shoulder, a smile curled at my lips. She was writing to her mum. I’d broached the subject a couple of times about her reaching out. There was something that didn’t sit right with me after her visit to the hospital, and I couldn't help feeling that both of them were in a similar position and could support each other, build a connection and find some light in the dark situation they’d been in.
“I might not send it,” she admitted when she realised she had company.
“I’m proud of you for even writing it, babe.” She smiled and stuffed it into her bag before we left the flat. Not ten minutes into the journey out of London and she demanded I pull over. Thinking something was wrong, I turned to her but she was already half out of the van. I left her to it and watched as she ran to a post box sitting on the pavement. She sucked in a large breath before popping the envelope through the hole.
“I’ve no idea if she even still lives at the house, but I feel better now,” she admitted as I pulled away from the curb.
She didn’t mention it the whole time we were away, but I could tell it was playing on her mind.
The first thing she did the second we stepped foot back in our building was to check the post. Sure enough, amongst the flyers and crap there was a Christmas card. Clutching it to her chest, I followed her up to the flat so she could open it.
It turned out her mum had moved, but the new residents had forwarded it on to her. She was living with a widowed friend as she tried to figure out what to do with her life now her husband was behind bars and her daughter at the other end of the country.
I’m pleased to say that since then they’ve been working hard to rebuild their relationship, and Quinn’s even convinced her mum to come and stay with us in a couple of weekends’ time.
I went back to both work and evening school when the new year started, and Quinn set out on her quest to find her new job and continued her regular therapy sessions. As she predicted, her nightmares had improved but they still happened most nights, and I wasn’t letting her get away without the help she needed.
She’s had a few interviews but as of yet she’s not received the call she’s been waiting for. She’s got time though and she’s got money to keep her going, plus what I’m earning. Things are pretty much perfect; there’s only one little thing left to make our lives complete right now, and I intend on putting that straight tonight. And Quinn has no idea.
Quinn
I’m sittingon the sofa looking through job sites, hoping my perfect job will jump out at me and waiting for Joe to come home from his evening class. I was not expecting the manila envelope that arrived this morning. Since our trip to the prison, I tried to put thoughts of Jeremy ever signing our divorce to the back of my mind. Joe was right. He was out of my life and no longer had a say in how I lived. Five years was nothing in the grand scheme of things. It taunts me from the coffee table. My stomach knots as I think about showing Joe. I’m no longer a wife, no longer Mrs Elizabeth Quinn Davenport. I am at last free to live the life I’ve always wanted. I’m free to consider where my relationship with Joe could go. I never want to forget this feeling buzzing in my veins.
I made sure Joe had caught up on what he’d missed by the time his first class of the year rolled around, and just like I expected he got straight back to it and has produced some great work, none of which I’ve helped with. I’ve no doubt that he’s got a bright future ahead of him if he keeps his head down and continues working hard.
It doesn’t matter how much money I’ve got sitting in my bank account, I still feel guilty that he’s the only one with a job. I’ve done some voluntary work, but even that didn’t quite hit the right mark. I know that job is out there somewhere, I just need to find it.
Looking at the clock, I’ve still got over thirty minutes until he’s back. I’ve got our dinner prepared but there’s not much I can do until he’s here.My phone buzzes and I reach to grab it off the arm of the chair.
Joe:There’s a box in my wardrobe.
My brows draw together as I stare at his cryptic message. Pushing myself from the sofa, I go in search of it.
Pulling the door open on his side of the wardrobe, I find it immediately with a note on the top.
Wear me.
A little laugh falls from my lips when I remove the lid and find the outfit he bought me the night he took me out to fulfil some of my bucket list. Memories hit and heat blooms in my chest. Even that first night I knew there was something between us, although I never could have imagined what was to come and how close it would bring us.
Pulling out the skinny black jeans and the barely there silver top, I make quick work of changing and doing my hair and make-up. I’m just putting my lipstick on when another text arrives.
Joe:Fancy a coffee?
I can’t keep the smile off my face. I know exactly where he’s asking me to go. I also know that if Eddie catches him texting in class, he’s going to rip him a new one. The most unlikely friendship might be forming between them, but no one stands in Eddie’s way or breaks his rules when he’s teaching, even his budding new best friend.
Finding my shoes, I book an Uber and race out of the building, now desperate to see him. It seems like a year ago that he kissed me goodbye before leaving for class.
As usual, the traffic is horrendous trying to get across the city, but eventually I make it to the coffee shop. I step inside, expecting to find him waiting for me, but the only people here are busy with their own lives.
My stomach drops with disappointment that he’s not here yet and I stand in line to order our drinks.
