Page 68 of Heal You
“Then why?”Jan didn’t particularly care for his reasons.Phil had done it regardless, but she would like to move on with her life, knowing the truth.
“Honestly?”Phil puffed out his cheeks.“Because I could?Because I wasn’t thinking about the life I already had?Because I’m a fucking idiot who has just lost the best thing to ever happen to him…”
Well, it was nice to know he thought that of Jan at least.
“We had a good run, didn’t we?”Jan’s voice broke as she said that, but it wasn’t a sadness for where she was at right now.It was a sadness for the years she’d put into something…only for it to end the way it had.“We had fun.”
“We did, Jan.We had a lot of fun.”Phil finished his beer and took some cash from his wallet.He left it on the table and got to his feet.“You’ll look after yourself, yes?”
“I will.”Jan did regard him with a genuine smile this time.Phil was a good man.He’d just proven that by handing the house over to Jan, but it wasn’t meant to be any longer, and that was okay.“And before you hear it from anyone else, I’m dating.”
Just…dating?Or are you off the market before you even had the chance to be on it?
Jan probably should have spoken to Morgan before she’d informed Phil, but she didn’t get the impression that Morgan would mind.Gillian and Finn knew now, so it was only a matter of time before they were seen out in the city with one another.Jan had no reason to hide with Morgan.Looking back, she never should have approached this in that way.
“O-oh.”Phil’s shoulders slumped even though Jan knew he hadn’t wanted anyone to be aware of that.“Who is he?”
“That’s all you need to know for the time being.When I’m ready, people will know more.Can you give me that?The chance to figure this all out before I reveal anymore?”
Phil held up his hands and nodded.“Of course.”
Jan looked back at Phil.She couldn’t believe what had just happened here today, but she was grateful that he was doing the right thing.“Oh, Phil?”
“Mm?”He stared back at her as he checked his pockets.
“Did you and her ever…you know, in the house?”
“No.Never.That day you walked in and she was there, that was the first time she’d ever stepped foot inside the house.”Phil shook his head.“I know I made a huge mistake, but I would never bring another woman into our home.Never, Jan.”
“Okay.Well, just let me know when you want to collect your things from the house.I’ll give you space to do what you need to do and make myself scarce that day.”
“Thanks.”Phil hitched a thumb over his shoulder.“I’ll go, but if you need anything, just call me.”
“Goodbye, Phil.”Jan watched her soon-to-be ex-husband leave Morgan’s bar, her shoulders relaxing the moment the coast was clear.She hadn’t realised she’d been so tense while he was here, but she hadn’t expected the call from him today.
“Everything go okay then?”Morgan’s voice brought Jan out of her thoughts.
She turned to her left and looked up at the beautiful bartender.“Yes.What time are you finishing today?”
“Around five, providing nothing goes wrong.”
Jan beamed a smile as she said, “Would you like to come over to my place for dinner tonight?”
“I’m sorry, your place?”Morgan lowered herself into the booth beside Jan.“I don’t follow.”
“I’ll explain later.I have a sandwich to enjoy right now.”
Chapter26
Still utterly confusedby Jan’s request earlier today, Morgan stopped outside a house in an area she wasn’t familiar with and gathered her thoughts.Jan had sent her the address not long after she’d left the bar this afternoon, but she hadn’t revealed any other information in the meantime.MorganhopedJan was back here to stay, but if she was…what were the terms?Would Phil still be around?Fuck, Morgan hoped not.
She slowly pushed the garden gate open and relaxed her shoulders.Jan would never invite her over if Phil could potentially walk through the door.Even if he meant nothing to Jan anymore, she still wouldn’t do it.Nobody other than Gillian and Finn knew about Jan and Morgan, and look how that had ended.To think that anyone else would be outwardly supportive of them would be ridiculous.
Morgan cleared her throat and knocked on the door.She’d picked up a bottle of Jan’s favourite wine on the way over here, and now she was praying that they would crack it open to celebrate rather than to commiserate.Finn’s opinion continued to plague Morgan’s mind, but she was trying not to let it get to her.Jan didn’t need someone who sat around while they were in their own head.No, she needed someone confident and sure around her.Someone who could guide Jan through this new stage of her life.Ifshe genuinely saw something with Morgan.
When the door opened, Jan’s gorgeous smile shone back at Morgan.“Glad you found the place.Come in.”
Morgan stepped over the threshold, inhaling deeply as the subtle scent of Jan’s home enveloped her.She immediately noted a warm mix of old wood and lavender.The house was unmistakably Edwardian, with its high ceilings and intricate crown moulding.The stained glass panels that framed the doorway were something to be admired, almost matching the worn runner that stretched down the hallway, the floral pattern faded but still elegant.Just like Jan.Morgan thought with a smile.
