Page 45 of Heal You
“And Finn?”
“I know Finn a lot less than I know Gillian, but Finn is a sweetheart, and I know she’ll be equally as happy as Gillian.Don’t forget that you’re a close friend of hers.Why would she possibly be anything other than happy?”
“Finn can be…surprising when she wants to be.I don’t see any issues arising, though.Finn is too busy hanging on Gillian’s every word to care what I’m doing with my life.”Morgan lifted a shoulder.“But seeing her so happy really does makemehappy.She used to sit alone in my bar, nursing pint after pint, dreading going home to the same old routine.”
“I’m glad she’s out of that routine.I know she would do anything for her mum, but she deserves to have a life, too.”
Morgan nodded and thanked the waiter as he set their bill down in the middle of the table.She took a wad of euro notes from her back pocket and left the cost of the bill, plus a tip, on the small silver tray.“I think everything is going to be fine.I mean, it’s Gillian and Finn.Weknowthem.We’re friends with them.”
Morgan had nobody to answer to these days, and if either of them thought she would answer to them, they had another thing coming.Morgan focused on herself and the woman in her life.Everything else was simply background noise as far as she was concerned.
“How did you and Gillian meet?”
“University.I was studying business, and she was studying architecture.We were eighteen, with no idea what the world had to offer.”Jan smiled.“Within a few weeks of our first year beginning, we just gravitated towards one another.We were inseparable, and we have been ever since.”
Morgan lifted a questioning brow.“So…she knows you had afilthylesbian fling during university?”
Jan cast her gaze on her lap.“No.That’s not something I’ve ever divulged.”
“Because?”
“At the time, I was worried about everyone’s reaction.Antonia also didn’t seem overly comfortable being out either.I’d arrange to see her whenever I knew Gillian had plans elsewhere.”
Morgan guessed that made sense.Jan and Gillian had been at university a long time ago now.Life and society were entirely different some thirty years on.Though, at times, Morgan had to wonder if much had changed at all.
“That’s not why I’m holding back this time, though.”Ah.Jan had taken Morgan’s silence to mean something else.“I’m so ready, Morgan.I just…feel so much more when I’m with you.”
“Yeah?”Morgan stroked her fingers against the back of Jan’s hand.“You think I’m worth coming out for?”
“One hundred percent.Without a doubt.”
“Then that’s all I need to know.”Morgan rose to her feet and guided Jan up with her.“Should we stroll back?”
“Yes.”Jan touched a hand to Morgan’s chest and leaned in to kiss her.“Thank you for dinner.It was exceptional.”
“Thank you for being my date.It’s been a pleasure.”
Chapter18
Relaxing back on her lounger,Jan shoved her bottle of sun lotion underneath it and angled her face towards the sun.She was surprised her body hadn’t gone into shock at the slightest hint of sun and relaxation, but so far, so good.Now that she’d recharged last night, Jan planned to go full steam ahead into the rest of the holiday.
She glanced to her left and smiled as Morgan hummed along to whatever was playing in her earbuds.Jan had opted for a romance novel rather than music today, and if she had the chance to nap once she turned onto her stomach, she was going to enjoy that snooze and not feel guilty about it.Didn’t she deserve a decent holiday after being rushed off her feet for so long?Damn right she did.
Jan continued watching Morgan, noting just how relaxed she seemed out here.It was hard not to be when you woke up to the sound of the ocean, but Jan hadn’t anticipated the difference in Morgan compared to back at home.Then again, did anyonetrulyfeel happy and at peace when they knew they had to get up for work each morning?Some did, most didn’t.She reached out a hand and took Morgan’s where it sat on the very edge of her own lounger.Morgan lifted a brow behind her sunglasses as she turned her face towards Jan, that delicious smile lighting up her face as they looked back at one another.
“Enjoying yourself, babe?”
Jan’s stomach somersaulted every time Morgan called her that.She would get used to it, but for the time being, she would enjoy the way it made her feel.Like a teenager all over again.“Absolutely.”
“Good.I’ve just ordered us a couple of white coffees and some nibbles.”
Jan frowned.When had Morgan got up from her lounger?“Um…you did?Did I drop off to sleep without realising it?”
“They have an app linked to our room.We can order whatever we like, whenever we like…from the comfort of our loungers.”
Wow.Holidays abroad had really come a long way since Jan had last flown out of England.They barely had cars on the road the last time she’d gone away, never mind apps connected to room and pool service.“I’m impressed.”
Morgan winked in Jan’s direction.“You’re hanging with the cool kids now.”
