Page 57 of Heal You
“More ofthis, Morgan.”Jan lay her hand over Morgan’s and smiled.“There have been so many times when I’ve been over at Gillian’s, just watching the love they have for one another.At one time, I found myself craving the very same thing.But then I put it to the back of my mind because Phil has never changed.He’s the very same man I fell in love with and married.He’s always been less touchy and less romantic than my friend’s partners.So, how could I miss something I’d never had with him?”
Oh, that was painful to hear.Morgan cleared her throat.“I think everyone deserves those things.”
“Maybe.I don’t know.”
Morgan watched Jan as she drove through the dark streets and towards the motorway.There was just something about this woman that mesmerised Morgan on more than one occasion daily.She had an air about her that Morgan hadn’t come across before.While Amanda had been very particular about everything in her life, often found in front of a mirror while she checked herself out, Jan was the total opposite.She still maintained that Jan was elegant and one hell of a woman, but she knew how to find the laughter in life, too.That was a huge plus in Morgan’s eyes.If she could laugh and enjoy herself with another woman, she was winning.Without a doubt.“I’ve really had the perfect week with you, Jan.”
“Perfect doesn’t come close.”Jan entwined their fingers as they took the ramp onto the motorway.It was quiet, almost secretive, to be driving along this stretch of road while they held hands, but Morgan wouldn’t change anything.Being with Jan was all she could have dreamed of.“And now I have to go back to a hotel room with my life strewn across the place.”
Morgan decided she would offer, even if she knew Jan likely wouldn’t take her up on it.“You’re welcome to come back to my place with me.”
“I know, but I should spend the rest of the evening figuring some things out.I have to deal with my divorce sooner or later.No need to draw something out that cannot be salvaged.”
“I know.I still had to offer.”
“Believe me, if I didn’t have things to take care of, I wouldn’tdreamof going back to the hotel.But I need to find a place to live, and I’d like to do that soon.I can’t hold Gillian and Finn off much longer.They’ll force me into their spare room eventually.”
Morgan grinned when she noted that twinkle in Jan’s eye.“They’re good people.They care about you.We all do.”
“And I appreciate that more than any of you know.”
Morgan sat up in her seat and peered at the speedometer.“Hey, slow down a bit.”
“I’m well within the speed limit.”
“I know that, but the faster you drive, the less time I have with you before I have to let you go.”Morgan relaxed into the leather seat when Jan decelerated.“Perfect.All of you is absolutely perfect.”
Chapter23
Jan exited her car,the gravel beneath her heels crunching as she pulled her shoulders back and walked towards the offices.She was mildly anxious to be here today—she hadn’t stepped foot on business soil since Gareth had exposed the truth to her—but she had nothing to be ashamed of.Phil had done the dirty, not Jan.If the staff thought any differently, then she would set the record straight.
With a slight sense of love and belonging sitting in her chest at the brief thought of Morgan, Jan took the steps to the main offices and forced the heavy steel door open.Anais would be sitting at her desk, and Phil would be holed away behind his private office door.Clients and other employees would likely be milling about, some frantic…others not so much, but it was all just noise to Jan today.She was still high on life and the Spanish sun.
She stopped and scanned the room.Her eyes immediately landed on Anais, her appearance different today.Jan couldn’t put her finger on what it was, but yes, Anais seemed different.As they glared at one another, Jan’s stare didn’t waver.She wouldn’t be intimidated by the very woman who had stolen her husband.Only as Jan stood here, she found a smile curling on her lips.Anais may have stolen her husband, but after the last several weeks she’d spent getting to know Morgan, Jan was in some ways thankful for that.Morgan had tilted everything Jan had ever known.She had shown her what life could be like post-divorce…even before the divorce had been finalised.And instead of spending days, sometimes weeks, alone while Phil was out of the country on business, her evenings with Morgan were a refreshing change.
She turned and eyed Phil’s office door.The small square window in it gave Jan a glimpse inside, and she could just about see the top of Phil’s head.He would be on a call, he usually was, but Jan could wait.She didn’t exactly have anywhere pressing to be right now.
She stepped towards the door and knocked lightly.Phil’s head shot up, he peered at her through the window, and then he waved her inside.She entered quietly, took a seat, and waited for him to end his call.When he did, Phil looked up at her with tired eyes.Was he unable to sleep lately?Huh, Jan didn’t have that problem.Perhaps it was the guilty conscience he possessed.“Jan, hi.”
“I won’t keep you long, I know how busy you are, but I just wondered if you had a few minutes to discuss the divorce?”
Phil nodded and lowered his eyes.“I was hoping you’d eventually change your mind, but as the weeks passed, I knew you wouldn’t be coming here to tell me you forgive me.”
“Is that what you need me to do in order for you to move on?Forgive you?”Jan didn’t have it inside her to forgive Phil right now, she wasn’t sure it would ever be possible, but she would lie if he desperately needed it from her.
“Your face has always given you away, so it’s no use lying to me.”
Jan nodded and watched Phil across his desk.He had something on his mind.Jan had spent long enough with him to know when he was stressed, and now was one of those times.Potentially the worst she’d seen him in many years.“Okay.”
“I…have something I need to say to you.”Phil clicked his pen, then set it down on top of the files in front of him.“Before we go any further.It’s pretty important.”
“What is it?”Jan straightened herself in her seat and watched her ex-husband expectantly.“Phil?”
“Anais is pregnant.”
Jan’s world slowed as she processed that information.It would take far longer than a few seconds in Phil’s office.This was going to require a lot of contemplation.The only thing Jan knew in this moment was that she wouldn’t give Phil the satisfaction of watching her thoughts unfold via her face.“I see.Congratulations.”
“I’m sorry, Jan.None of this was ever meant to happen.”
