Reagan placed a finger to Jill’s lips to stop her. “I did. I was hurt and embarrassed. I just couldn’t take being in that house anymore. I left you there to deal with your mother on your own.”

“It’s okay. That type of discussion with her was probably a long time coming. You are a better person than she will ever hope to be and she needed to know that.” Jill let out a slow breath. “But I’ll get out of your hair. Goodnight, Reagan.”

She stopped Jill with a light grip on her forearm. “Stay.”

Jill’s shoulders dropped and she smiled. “Okay.”

They walked hand in hand up the stairs to Reagan’s bedroom, only letting go to change out of their clothes. As soon as they got under the covers, Jill opened her arms and Reagan fell into them, resting her head on Jill’s shoulder. Reagan sighed at the contact and rubbed small circles between Jill’s breasts.

“Thank you for letting me stay,” Jill whispered.

“I just needed to feel you. You’re my comfort.”

“And you’re mine.”

Reagan lifted her head for a brief kiss. She settled against Jill, wrapping her arm around her waist. The night had been draining for both of them and they were asleep in a matter of seconds.

Chapter Seventeen

On Monday morning, Reagan sat in the conference room and looked through the notes she’d made the day before while she waited for Gwen and Beth to join her. She had planned to do nothing yesterday, but the longer she sat around staring at the TV, the more Maureen’s words from Saturday night ran through her mind. So, planning the benefit became her distraction.

“Morning!” Beth called.

She carried a tray of coffees and Gwen followed behind. Reagan almost moaned at the sight. “Oh, coffee. Thank you. I forgot to stop on my way in. This is why we keep you around.” She grabbed the cup with her initials on it and took a sip, wincing as the piping hot liquid washed over her tongue.

“I think you keep me around so I can remind you that coffee is hot and will burn your mouth if you drink it too soon.”

Reagan chuckled. “That too. I took a chance that it had cooled down. Obviously, I was wrong.”

“Clearly. So, how was Saturday night? Any issues with the party?” Beth asked as she took a seat across from Reagan.

The question instantly brought back memories from that night and Reagan closed her eyes in response.

“It was fine,” Gwen answered as she sat down.

“Fine?”

Reagan sighed. “The party itself went smoothly, no major hiccups aside from a few last-minute guests to accommodate. Which reminds me, I need to send a new invoice out this week. Mrs. Jacobs just had a few choice words for me that I’d rather not get into right now.”