Heart Failure by Chris Zett

Author:Chris Zett [Zett, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ylva-Publishing
Published: 2019-12-03T21:49:58+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Jess tiptoed to the kitchen so as not to wake Lena. The predawn light was enough to see both the living room and the kitchen were empty. Lena had cleared away last night’s dishes. Jess swallowed against the sudden dryness of her throat. How would she explain why she hadn’t returned?

But first things first. Even though she wasn’t allowing herself caffeine yet, she still liked to start the day with a hot drink. When she reached for the water kettle, it was warm. Her stomach dropped. Lena was already up and about.

She opened a few cupboards until she found mugs and a dozen colorful teas, then picked a yellow package that looked as optimistic as she’d like to feel. The scent of something fresh and sharp rose as she poured water in the cup. Ginger, nice. Maybe it would help settle her queasy stomach.

Yeah, right. Who are you kidding? Only a talk would do that. And an apology. Again. She squared her shoulders and opened the door to the porch in search of Lena.

And there she was, standing on the patch of grass in front of the porch, facing east where the sun peeked through the pines and cast long shadows. Her features were relaxed, and a serene smile played around her lips. Lips that had kissed Jess until she’d lost all sense of time and direction.

Jess took in a sharp breath. Stupid idea. She wasn’t ready to talk.

But before she could run away again, Lena opened her eyes and focused on her. She held one finger to her lips and beckoned Jess closer with the other hand.

The unease settled like leaves after the wind calmed down. Jess pulled the baby monitor from the waistband of her sweatpants and placed it and her steaming mug on the wooden railing, next to a small collection of shells and driftwood. The grass was cold but soft under her bare feet as she took her usual place at Lena’s side and greeted the sun.

An hour later, the sun had climbed above the trees and warmed Jess sufficiently that she looked forward to her now cold drink.

When they stepped onto the porch, Jess couldn’t avoid it any longer. But between their morning routine and Lena’s calm presence, her embarrassment had faded enough that she found it easier to talk. “About yesterday evening…I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” Lena went into the kitchen before Jess had a chance to read her expression.

That was all she had to say? Wasn’t she mad or disappointed or maybe even glad they’d stopped when they had? Jess picked up her stuff and followed. “Okay? Are we good?”

For a second, something other than her usual calm flashed in Lena’s eyes, then her shoulders drooped and she looked down. “It was just a kiss. No big deal. I’m sorry too for crying and being needy.”

Wait, what? “Do you think that was a pity kiss?”

“Wasn’t it?” Lena’s voice was so low she was difficult to understand.

“Hell, no. I’m sorry I ran, not sorry I kissed you.

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