BLISS LANE [BOOK II] | JENLISA

EIGHTEEN

LISA

* * * * * *

2018

WE'D WALKED FOR miles.

At the start of our journey, we'd cheated and used our remaining coins to catch a bus to the city limits. Another few miles up the road, and we would've passed the dairy farm I used to work for. Even this far away, the air was tainted with the smell of silage and cow manure.

Instead of heading that way, we'd cut across some farmer's paddock, jumping over fences and ducking through wire until we approached the outskirts of the forest.

The trees were thin and sparse on the border, steadily growing thicker and taller as shadows swallowed them up. Fallen leaves scattered on the ground while the scent of must and mulch soothed a little of my heartache, welcoming me back.

Jennie paused as I stepped into the embrace of bracken and branches. We hadn't talked much since leaving Kai. Our conversation stuck to impersonal topics such as where I'd stored the rest of our cash, if I gave the apartment key back, and how many supplies we had before we had to return to a town.

My answers had been soft and monosyllable, my mind still hung up on Kai's questions. I needed to do this. We had no choice but to try. But what if...?

What if we realised we didn't work as lovers?

Where would that leave us? How would we ever go back to being family?

I waited for Jennie to look up at the towering trees, glance over her shoulder, then stride toward me with resolution.

Joining me in the shadowy world, she asked quietly, "Are you happy, Lisa?"

I jolted, my heart forgetting its own woe and focusing on hers. "What?"

She dropped her eyes. "Are you happy?"

"What sort of question is that?"

She looked up, annoyed. "One that you're not answering."

"Of course, I'm happy. You're here. I'm happy whenever you're around."

"That wasn't my question, and you know it."

I sighed, dragging a hand through my hair. "I am happy, Jennie. But if you're asking if I'm happy about what we're doing, I can't give you that."

Her shoulders slouched. "Why not?"

"Because I don't know if I am yet."

"Oh." She flinched, breaking me all over again. I wanted to hug her, but after years of denying myself, I didn't remember how to just reach out and take her.

"I don't want to lie to you, Little Ribbon." I closed the distance between us, capturing her hand. "We both need to adjust. I'm sure if I asked you if you were happy, you wouldn't be able to give me a direct answer."

"I could." Her fingers twitched in mine. "I am. So happy. But I'm also petrified that any second now, you're going to say this was a terrible mistake and march me back to Kai's."

"Believe me." I chuckled darkly. "I won't ever take you back to Kai. You're mine. You always have been."

"Phew. I thought you forgot that part." She half-smiled and walked into me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Never." I allowed my embrace to envelop her, pressing my chin on the top of her head, smelling the subtle scent of melons. "You'll always be mine, and I'm beyond happy to have you with me in the forest again. Is that enough for now?"