However, Jenny knew she wasn’t a sex-on-the-first-date kinda girl, so when a strange scratching sound reached her ears, she was happy at the interruption. Mostly. “What is that?” She kept hold of Olivia but raised her head.
Olivia opened her eyes and pulled back, breathing heavily. “I think…” She cleared her throat then smiled. “I think that’s Barnaby. I think he’s trying to tell me he needs his evening walk.”
“Aw.”
“He has impeccable timing.” Olivia tutted.
“A bit like your mother-in-law.” Jenny grinned. “Do you think she set him up to it?”
Olivia groaned. “God, I still can’t believe we came that close that time.”
“I still can’t believe you kissed me that time.”
Her blush returning, Olivia shook her head. “Nor can I. But in that moment, when you were defending me so fiercely, I honestly couldn’t stop myself.”
Jenny swallowed. The passion in Olivia’s voice was thrilling. “I’m glad you didn’t. Even though it confused the crap out of me for days.”
Olivia’s smile was rueful. She made to speak, but the scratching sound came again, louder this time. She extricated herself from Jenny’s arms. “Nature calls.” She pointed at the door. Then she tilted her head. “Do you maybe want to come with us? We don’t go far.”
“That sounds nice.” Jenny eased back in her seat. “And would you maybe want to get something to eat together after? I’m starving.”
Olivia smirked. “Hangover worn off?”
“Definitely.”
“Then I think that sounds like a great plan.”
They gazed at each other as they stood.
“I’m so glad you came over.” Olivia took Jenny’s hand. “And I’m so glad you didn’t run away afterwards.”
Jenny held her thumb and forefinger an inch or so apart.
“Yes, I thought it might have been close.”
“I want to trust you. But I realized to do that, I have to give you a chance.”
“You won’t regret it.” Olivia’s voice was strong. “I know it’s early days, and we might find we’re not actually meant to be together after all. But I’m so glad we’re going to try to find out.”
“Me too.” Jenny dropped a soft, quick kiss on Olivia’s lips. “So, let’s take care of that poor mutt, then start getting to know each other.”
Chapter 30
“What happened?” Tamara asked two minutes after Jenny arrived at their apartment for Sunday lunch. “You didn’t return any of my texts yesterday, and now you’re standing on our doorstep with what can only be described as a ‘glow’ about you.”
Jenny sighed. She’d hoped to keep this to herself for a while, see how things worked out with Olivia before she shared it. Clearly her personal stealth mode was faulty. “Can I at least get my coat off before the inquisition starts?”
Tamara snorted but stepped aside to allow Jenny entrance. “I might even let you have a beer too.” Her tone was gentler than her opening words.
Smiling, Jenny followed Tamara into the living room, where she discovered she was last to arrive; Carl and Solomon sat close together on the couch. She greeted them and then Roz, then took the beer Tamara brought her. “Cheers!” She raised the bottle.
The first sip had barely been swallowed when Tamara said, “Well?”
Lying wasn’t an option, but telling them what Olivia had done for Broderick wasn’t possible either. Olivia hadn’t asked her to keep that part to herself, but Jenny had decided the less people that knew the better for Olivia and Broderick. So, she chose her words carefully. “She and her husband are getting a divorce. It’s all totally amicable; I met him while I was there and he’s a nice guy. They’re in separate rooms and all that.” She paused, figuring out how to explain the next part. “She realized a while back that she was attracted to me but didn’t think she stood a chance after Chrissy played her games. You know, making me not trust Olivia.” There were nods all around from her engrossed audience. “She’s dated women in the past so this isn’t some kind of experimenting thing. She’s really interested in me.”
“Well, who wouldn’t be?” Roz spread her arms wide.
Jenny grinned. “Obviously.”
“And you believe all this?” Tamara frowned.
“I do.” Jenny took another gulp of her beer. “But I’m not rushing into things. Yesterday we kept it simple—took her neighbor’s dog for a walk and had some Vietnamese takeout. Then I went home. No sleepover,” she added with a wry smile. “She knows I need time to trust this. And I know how quick I’ve rushed into things before and made mistakes. Not this time.”
“I think that’s great,” Tamara said. “I’m proud of you.”
“Yeah, I get that,” Roz said, “but, you know, don’t stop yourself from having a good time at the same time.” She leaned forward in her seat to stare intently at Jenny. “Don’t be too careful, or maybe you’ll stall it before it even gets started.”
“She needs to be careful.” Tamara’s tone was sharp. “You know what’s happened in the past with people she cared about letting her down. Remember her shitty parents and all they did? And last year, all that crap with Brandi and—”
“She’s a grown-up!” Roz’s expression softened as her partner threw her a hurt look. “I know you worry about her, about all of us. But sometimes, babe, you worry too much. Jenny’s got this. I can see it in her eyes.”
“She’s right,” Carl chimed in. “Mother Hen can back off a ways now.” He spoke gently and gave Tamara a warm look.
Tamara glared at them all, then looked directly at Jenny for a few moments. Then, almost imperceptibly, she nodded. “Maybe you’re both right. I can’t help it.” Her voice was low and laden with emotion. “Ever since that night her so-called parents kicked her out, I…” She swallowed visibly. “I’ve never seen anyone so scared and broken.”
Jenny’s eyes welled up. She moved across the room to kneel beside Tamara’s chair. “That was
