This work contains themes and scenes intended for mature readers (18+). It explores intimacy, emotional complexity, and adult relationships through contemporary romance and erotic realism. Reader discretion is advised.
The Parking Lot
Kiss Under Security Lights
Realizing her mistake after Connor blames himself for the breakup, Janet speeds to the school with her son. She finds Eve leaving her meeting with the principal, runs to her, and publicly declares her love. They kiss under the school security lights, watched by Connor and Eve's mother, and decide to face whatever comes next together.
An Excerpt from this Chapter...
“I messed up,” Janet said. It wasn’t a speech. It was a confession. “I got scared. Henderson called me into his office and he talked about files and investigations and he made it sound like I was the disease. He made it sound like the only way to save you was to leave.”
“I told you I didn’t want to be saved,” Eve said. Her eyes were red-rimmed.
“I didn’t listen,” Janet said. “I was busy building the fortress.”
She took a step closer. The older woman shifted, but Eve held up a hand to stop her.
“Connor thought it was his fault,” Janet said. The words tore out of her throat. “We were eating pizza and he asked if he made you go away because of the collage. He thought he broke us.”
Eve’s face crumbled. The hard, protective shell cracked. “Oh, God.”
“I can’t let him think that,” Janet said. “And I can’t let you think that I don’t want this. I want this. I want the garlic and the potatoes and the thirteen days and all of it.”
She looked around the empty parking lot. At the security cameras. At the principal’s window, which was dark.
“I don’t care about the file,” Janet said. “Let him write the note. Let Mark talk. I’m done.”
She reached out.
It was the terrifying part. The part where she extended her hand across the gap, knowing it could be slapped away.
Eve looked at Janet’s hand. She looked at Janet’s face, flushed and sweating in the cold air.
Eve dropped her briefcase. It hit the concrete with a loud smack.
She took two steps and grabbed Janet’s hand. She didn’t just hold it. She yanked Janet forward.
They collided. It wasn’t gentle. It was a crash.