Page 98 of Heal You
Epilogue
Ten months later…
Morgan bouncedon the balls of her feet as she checked her watch for the millionth time today.Gillian and Finn sat on stools across the bar from her, appearing equally as excited as Morgan, so now she was waiting for Jan to arrive before the truth was revealed.She’d never really been the type to spontaneously do something so big, and definitely not without Jan’s say-so, but Morgan couldn’t resist.For the last two months or so, Jan had been running the business alone while Phil took time off to be with Anais and their child.
For so many nights, Morgan had held Jan on the couch while she dropped off to sleep against her.For so many days, Jan had just about managed to smile fully, her eyes tired and worn.Morgan hated seeing her like that.Yes, she’d agreed to take on the bulk of the business for the period of time Phil would be away, but Jan hadn’t known about the new contractors Phil had been in talks with for several weeks beforehand.When her girlfriend already had enough on her plate, Phil had intentionally added to it without being forthcoming in terms of the truth.Morgan didn’t like that, but Phil had turned on Jan the moment he knew she was dating a woman…and he hadn’t backed down since.
“Any idea what time she’s arriving?”Gillian sighed and shifted in her seat.“I’m not very good at being patient.”
“She texted me about ten minutes ago to say she’s at home dropping off her laptop and files, and then she’d be here.”Morgan lifted her bottle of beer and sipped it.As of an hour ago, she was on leave.Something she rarely afforded herself prior to meeting Jan.“You haven’t said anything at all to her?”
“No, but mostly because Finn threatened to divorce me if I dared to let it slip.”
Finn nodded as she set her pint down.“Correct.This is Jan’s surprise and it’sMorgan’sjob to reveal all.Not yours, babe.”
“I know.I know.”Gillian held up her hands and rolled her eyes.“God, I wish you wouldn’t all gang up on me like that.You two forget that Jan and I have been best friends since university.Lying to herisn’tsomething I enjoy.”
“You’re notreallylying, though,” Morgan said.“You’re just not telling her about something in particular.”
Gillian pursed her lips.“Mmhmm.”
“Now, if Jan had specifically asked you about something and you didn’t tell the truth, that’s another matter.But I know she hasn’t because she has no idea about any of this.I don’t think she’s going to hold it against you when she finds out you and Finn are in on it all.”
Finn groaned and flopped back against her seat.“Now you’re making me worried because what if Jandoeshold it against us?”
“She won’t.Trust me.”God, Morgan couldn’t deal with these two and their nerves for much longer.Anyone would think she’d asked them to help move and hide a body the way they were behaving.“Another drink to calm your nerves?”
Gillian emptied the last of her wine down her throat and lifted a shoulder.“I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”
As Morgan busied herself behind the bar, Jan strode through the door.As usual, she looked tired and in dire need of a nap.“Hi, babe.I didn’t think you’d be here so soon.”
“Large red please.Before I lose the will to live, I’d like to enjoy just one glass.”
Morgan stepped out from behind the bar and wrapped Jan up in her arms.“Another tough day?”
“Not really.Just…” She sighed and drew back.“I’ll sit down and explain.”
Morgan’s heart threatened to fall into her stomach.As of right now, Jan wassupposedto be on a two week break from work.Something in her eyes told Morgan that was no longer the case.Fuck!“R-right, yeah.You sit down and I’ll get that glass of red for you.”
Morgan watched Jan for a moment or two, trying to decipher what was about to come next, and then she looked to Gillian who seemed equally as apprehensive.Was this about to turn to shit?Morgan really hoped not.
“What’s going on at work, love?”Gillian took control of the conversation, laying a hand over Jan’s on the bar counter.
“Phil came back to the office today, which I’m glad about.”Jan lifted her glass the moment Morgan set it down in front of her.She quickly sorted out Gillian and Finn’s drinks, but she listened intently.“What I didn’t expect or want was for him to bring the baby into my office, introduce us to one another, and then have the fucking audacity to refer to me as Auntie Jan.”
Morgan almost dropped the pint glass in her hand, horrified that he would do something like that to his ex-wife.“Nah, you’re not serious, babe.”Morgan glared, unable to comprehend how Phil could be so cruel.“Please tell me that never happened.”
“It happened.”
“And whythe fuckwould he think it was okay to do that?”Morgan clenched the hand at her side into a fist, turning her attention to Finn.Why?Because Finn understoodexactlywhat she was feeling right now.“You think we have time to go over there?”
Finn snorted.“I’m game.I’d be more than happy to pay him a visit and remind him that he’s a piece of shit!”
“I just want to forget about everything for the next two weeks and relax.I’ve been so busy that I don’t feel as though I’ve had time to do anything meaningful.”Jan shook her head lightly as she looked up at Morgan.“You’ve been so patient with me this month and I want to spend whatever time I can with you while I have the chance.Just…enjoying life again.”
Morgan toyed with her lip ring as she held back a smile.“Me too, babe.Fuck Phil and his shitty attitude.”
Finn cleared her throat.“Yeah, Jan.He’s not worth getting upset over.”
