Page 26 of My Girlfriend is Not the Father

Chucky whined, and Jade turned back to Lucy.

‘I know, Chucky. Here.’ Lucy tore off a small chunk of mozzarella and held it in her palm. ‘The vet fat-shamed my dog. Chucky’s supposed to lose like three pounds, but I just can’t do it. He loves treats, and he only has a few years left. I want to make them as happy for him as I can.’ She washed her hands and returned to the platter. ‘And honestly, when I’m a senior, no one better take away my snacks.’

Jade helped Lucy carry the food into the living room and took a seat next to her on the couch. She cut a chunk of brie, spread it on a cracker with pepper jelly, and told Lucy about the hair catastrophe from earlier.

Lucy chatted about having their quarterly practice today for what to do during a robbery.

‘A robbery?’ Jade hated the thought of Lucy in danger. ‘Has that ever happened before?’

‘No, even though we do get some sketchy people in there sometimes,’ Lucy said. ‘But I’m much more likely to get in a car accident on the way to work.’

They continued to talk for almost an hour, with Golden Girls playing in the background, when something inside Jade started to tug at her. She should probably tell Lucy she was previously married. At this point, it was starting to feel like she was lying by withholding the information. On the other hand, talking about her ex always plummeted whatever good mood Jade had. And so far, tonight was the most relaxed, fun evening she’d had in a long time.

‘Have you ever been married?’ Jade casually plucked a grape off the vine and chewed slowly, trying to act calm despite her pounding heart.

‘Nah.’ Lucy grinned and plucked one for herself. ‘I don’t think marriage is on the cards for me. You?’

Not on the cards? What exactly did that mean? Even though Jade wanted to know more, now was the perfect opportunity to come clean. ‘I got divorced last year.’

Lucy stopped chewing. She began again and swallowed hard. ‘Really? Can I ask what happened?’

Realised love wasn’t enough. Lost my identity in a relationship. Wanted fundamentally different things. ‘Why ruin a good Golden Girls marathon with all of that?’ Jade tried to chuckle, but a sort of awkward cough escaped instead. After all this time, she thought she was ready to talk about her ex. She wasn’t.

Lucy shifted back into the couch and tugged her legs to her chest. ‘I’m so sorry. Ms Prying McPryerton. None of my business.’

‘It’s all good.’ Jade waved the words away. ‘So, you don’t think marriage is on the cards for you?’

‘Nah. I don’t like people.’

Jade laughed. ‘I don’t think I have ever actually met a warmer person in my life.’

‘It’s all a cover. You have no idea what I do when the clock chimes midnight.’

‘That could be terrifying or sexy depending on how you look at it.’ The word ‘sexy’ rolled off her tongue in more of a growl than intended, and the room heated. A commercial played on the TV, interrupting the moment. Thank God. Jade took the opportunity to hop off the couch.

She wasn’t ready for whatever was happening here.

But her mind struggled to transfer that message to the rest of her body.

‘I should get going.’ She piled the napkins and glasses on the tray and scurried to the kitchen. She had to get out of there, stop being so close, stop talking so openly to this woman who made her laugh, forget about pressures of work, forget about the pain in her past. She needed to stop looking at Lucy’s soft mouth, and her pretty fingers, and the long slope of her neck, and she definitely needed to stop wondering what her skin tasted like. The memory of her divorce was still raw, and she knew that opening herself up to Lucy invited in the possibility of getting hurt.

Yep, she had to leave. Now.

Lucy joined her and set the rest of the plates in the sink. They both stood in silence.

Was she thinking the same thing as Jade? That she should leave … or that she should stay?

Lucy rested her hand on top of Jade’s. ‘I’m really glad you came over. It’s been a long time …’

‘Since you tasted salted meats?’

‘Oh my God, I’m never living that down.’ Lucy laughed and their eyes locked. Really, really, locked. Lucy’s gaze dipped and lingered on Jade’s mouth.

The moonlight settled on Lucy’s soft amber waves. Jade took in her round cheeks, her smooth, full lips, the way the top of Lucy’s neck flushed with rose. God, she was irresistible. Her pulse thudded in her chest, a steady thump that moved, louder, and more intense, until it reached her ears.

Screw it. Jade bent her head down and pressed her lips against Lucy’s, softly. Lucy’s warm lips parted, moved, and pushed back. She tasted like grapes and lemonade and hope. Jade laid a palm on Lucy’s hip and tugged closer.

Lucy whipped her head back and fumbled on her feet.