by Jade Winters
Teal drew in a sharp, audible breath and grinned. ‘Do you fancy skipping dinner and having a drink at the bar instead?’
‘I thought you’d never ask.’
Chapter Twenty-Eight
They somehow managed to get back on track over the next couple of weeks. There was a buzz of activity in the house as things finally fell into place. Walls were painted, blinds were fixed and all the furniture and accessories had been delivered and put into place. On top of this, Carissa got what she wanted most nights: Candlelit dinners. Where they would drink wine until the early hours of the morning then make love.
‘I can’t believe this place is finished. I’m really impressed,’ Teal said while they lay naked in bed after one such night.
Carissa lazily caressed the swell of Teal’s breast. ‘You should take some credit as well.’
‘Why, because I painted a few walls?’ Teal said grinning.
‘Not just that, for all the support you gave me.’
‘It was my pleasure. I’m just glad you managed to finish it without any more hiccups. If we hadn’t been able to find Ted, to pick up where Nicole left off, who knows how long it would have taken.’
That was the first time Teal had mentioned Nicole’s name since she’d done a runner with her money. Teal had just let it go and put it down to one of those things she had no control over. Carissa was sure Nicole would do the same thing to someone else again one day, and Carissa hoped when she did, she would get her comeuppance.
Carissa’s thoughts turned to Channing and she shivered even though the bedroom was warm. Just thinking about her still unnerved Carissa.
‘I can’t believe Channing actually got away without being charged with anything,’ Carissa said, recalling Teal’s conversation with the detective.
‘I know. What could the police do? It was the woman’s word against Channing’s.’
Carissa knew Teal was right, but all the same, a mentally deranged woman was still out there, roaming free after talking herself out of a tricky situation. Teal thought that Channing had deliberately filmed herself and the woman she had tried to strangle having bondage sex previously. So when it came to the woman claiming Channing had tried to choke her, Channing had said it was an act of consent. After all, she had video footage to prove it.
It was the same with Alana’s death. There wasn’t any conclusive evidence to show that Alana had been a victim of foul play. All the police had to go on was Teal’s statement, which didn’t hold much weight in the end. So Channing was out there somewhere, living her life with Lara.
The news had come as both a surprise and a shock to Teal and Carissa. But it had been confirmed by Deidre who had spoken with Lara.
‘Well you did your part there’s nothing else you could have done,’ Carissa said.
‘I know, but I still feel responsible—’
‘That’s your problem, Teal, you take too much on your shoulders. I warned Lara about Channing and what she chooses to do is up to her.’
‘You’re right.’
‘I know I am. Instead of wasting your energy on things you can’t change, you should put yourself to better use,’ Carissa said, taking Teal’s hand and guiding it between her thighs. ‘I might as well get as much as I can before.’ Carissa stopped and it felt like her heart did too.
They both knew the end was inevitable—just days away. Carissa couldn’t stay there forever. She wanted to get on with her life—get another design job under her belt. With the wealth of experience she had gained these past few weeks, she was ready to take on the world. It saddened her that it wouldn’t be with Teal at her side.
‘You can say it,’ Teal said burying her face in Carissa’s hair.
A lump formed in Carissa’s throat and she swallowed it down. ‘Not this soon.’
‘It’s been quite a ride,’ Teal said, pulling Carissa close.
‘One that I’ll never forget.’ Carissa blinked away her tears. ‘When are you calling the estate agents.’
‘I called them today.’
Carissa drew back, shocked. ‘Without telling me?’
‘It’s easier this way. They’re coming to give me a valuation tomorrow.’
The sadness in Teal’s voice made her realise that she was right. It must have been hard and Carissa was glad she wasn’t the one who had to make the call.
This was never going to be easy, but even if Carissa had the chance to go back and do it all again, she would. Every last minute of it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Teal glanced around the now spacious living room and nodded in agreement with the estate agent’s assessment. The room looked amazing. Carissa had kept all the classic details that were authentic to the style of the Cotswolds, but she had managed to modernise it in the same breath. The furniture was tasteful, the colour combinations were subtle and the feel of the house had veered towards stylish but homely.
‘Teal?’
Teal spun around at the sound of Carissa’s voice. Even from where she stood she could feel Carissa’s sadness. Not only was it in her eyes but also in her body language. Where Carissa normally stood erect and proud, Teal could see the stoop of her shoulders. The listless way she stood as if she didn’t care about anything anymore.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,’ Carissa said, looking over at the woman crouched over a bag as she unloaded a camera.
‘You didn’t,’ Teal said beckoning her in.
‘I was just saying to Teal what a great job you’ve done,’ Lori said.
‘Carissa, Lori’s the estate agent who’ll be selling this place.’
Teal saw Carissa’s eyes dart between her and Lori in confusion. ‘Oh, I didn’t realise you were putting the house up for sale today.’
‘I wasn’t going to. Lori just came round to give a valuation, but the price she thinks I can get is too tempting to put off selling any longer.’
‘And I can guarantee you this place will be snapped up in a jiffy,’ Lori said. ‘You mark my words.’
Teal had to wonder if Lori could feel the tension in the air. She would have to be dead not to. They couldn’t live in this bubble forever. The house was now finished and it was time to move on to the next stage of their lives.
‘That’s good,’ Carissa said, breaking the silence. ‘That’s exactly what Teal wants.’
‘Yes, it is,’ Teal said, turning to Lori. ‘Would you like to take the photos now?’
‘That would be great.’
‘We can start in the bedrooms.’ Teal gave Carissa a slight smile before she and Lori went up the stairs.
It took fifteen minutes for Lori to take the shots of the rooms, then they ended up outside to photograph the exterior. When Lori had packed away her camera and sped off in her Mini to upload the listing on the website that day, Teal went back inside and found Carissa staring out of the window.
‘Are you all right?’ Teal asked her
‘Yes,’ Carissa said distractedly. ‘I’m fine.’
‘You sure?’
‘Do you really have to ask, Teal? If you want the truth. No, I’m not fine. My heart is breaking.’ Tears welled in her eyes. ‘But you don’t seem to give a shit. You’re just going on your merry way.’
Teal went to Carissa and gathered her in her arms.
‘I’m not strong enough for this,’ Carissa cried, wrapping her arms around Teal’s waist.
Teal stroked Carissa’s hair gently. ‘Neither am I.’
‘But you’re selling the house—’
‘You know it’s always been my intention.’
Carissa’s arms dropped to her sides. ‘If you’re trying to make me feel better, it isn’t working.’
‘Then how about I just give it to you straight?’
Carissa sniffed. ‘I’m listening.’
‘I want something more—’
‘More than just a casual fling?’ There was hope in Carissa’s voice.
Teal nodded.
‘Like a relationship?’
&nbs
p; Teal twisted her lips. ‘I hate that word. How about we have.’ She paused. ‘A keepsie. That’s it. I want a keepsie. Something that will last forever.’
Carissa looked downcast again. ‘Have you forgotten we live over two hundred miles apart?’
‘We don’t have to if you agree to renovate another property for me.’
Carissa’s solemn face suddenly brightened. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Very. It’s in London. I bought a property for an art school I’m opening there.’
‘An art school? So you’re going to draw again?’
‘Looks that way,’ Teal said, becoming increasingly worried that Carissa hadn’t immediately agreed to her job offer. ‘So what’s it going to be? You up for it. Though, I have to tell you, it’s going to be a long renovation.’
Carissa looked thoughtful for a moment then said, ‘For me to say yes, there’d have to be certain benefits.’
‘Benefits?’ Teal looked at her enquiringly.
‘I mean what else are you offering me?’
‘Depends if you think sharing a room with me can be classed as one.’
‘Oh, I’d say it was.’ Carissa grinned. ‘Anything else?’
Without a word, Teal walked over to the sideboard, slid her hand inside a drawer and withdrew an envelope. Now this was the tricky part. Her stomach churned as she handed it to Carissa. In a matter of seconds, Teal would either be the happiest woman alive or the saddest.
‘What’s this?’ Carissa said, eyeing it with suspicion. ‘A contract?’
‘Open it.’
Carissa tore back the flap and fished inside, before pulling out the contents. Her forehead creased as she looked down at the papers in her hand. ‘Tickets to India?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m confused,’ Carissa said. ‘Why have you got tickets to India?’
‘Other than because of its natural beauty you mean? Well, the purchase of my new place is going to take three months. So in the meantime, I thought after the stress of doing this place we needed a break.’
‘You do know that some people go to India to find themselves.’
‘Not me.’ Teal pulled her into an embrace. ‘I’ve already found what I’m looking for with you.’
Carissa linked her arms around Teal’s neck. ‘And what’s that?’
Teal planted a long kiss on her lips. ‘Love.’
BOOK LIST
Standalone Lesbian Romance Novels
143
Caught By Love
Guilty Hearts
Say Something
Faking It
Second Thoughts
Secrets
In It Together
Love Interrupted
The Song, The Heart
Accidentally Together
Flirting With Danger
Lost In You
Women’s Contemporary Fiction
Unravelled
The Ashley McCoy Detective Series
A Walk Into Darkness
Everything To Lose
Novellas
Talk Me Down From The Edge
Free Short Stories
The Makeover
The Love Letter
Love On The Cards
A Story Of You
About The Author
Based in Dorset, UK, Jade Winters is a passionate author with a particular focus on lesbian romance. When not busy creating stories and lives, Jade loves spending time with her partner exploring the Dorset coastline in their boat.
Jade always enjoys discussing her books with readers. You can visit her website or get in touch with her via Facebook or Twitter. Her books are available on Amazon.
www.jade-winters.com