I Need Her Love

I Need Her Love A SAPPHIC LOVE STORY FRIENDS AND LOVERS SERIES BOOK THREE ABIGAIL TAYLOR Copyright © 2023 by Abigail Taylor All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. For all those people who are healing. It gets better. Contents Author’s Note Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Epilogue Also by Abigail Taylor Acknowledgments About the Author Author’s Note Would you like a free copy of the prequel to No One Compares to Her? Click here for your copy of A New Direction! Chapter One “Honey, do you know where my keys are?” I called out to Suze because she was the keeper of all things and moved stuff to suit her organizational habits. “You know I always put them in the basket in the mudroom.” She walked into the kitchen and handed them to me. “Since when? You used to hang them on the hook in the garage, which was where I looked.” “Well, the basket is their new forever home.” I couldn’t help but smile. No matter how fussy she was, I only loved her more. That woman was my savior, and I would never forget that. “Okay. I’ll put that in my memory bank, but if you change it, please let me know?” “Sure. I’ll send you a memo.” She smirked, but I wouldn’t put it past her. “Where are you off to, anyway? We don’t have any clients scheduled until late this afternoon, and I thought we could spend our free time together.” She stuck out her lower lip in that pouty fashion, and I couldn’t help but wrap her in my arms and give it a nibble. “Stop that.” She tried to push me back, but I moved to her neck, causing her to squeal. “I’m serious. If you’re leaving me, don’t start something you can’t finish.” I released her from my grasp. “I’m sorry. If I could stay, I would, but I have an appointment with Dr. Freeman.” A knowing look crossed her face, and I knew I’d officially killed the mood. “Oh? Why didn’t you tell me? Do you want me to drive you, and we can talk after?” “I’m sorry, she just squeezed me in.” I kissed her cheek. “That’s a really sweet offer, but I promised Hazel we would grab a tea when I was done.” Her expression nearly broke my heart. Suze was the most sensitive person I knew, and I hated to let her down. “Sure. Is everything okay?” “Yeah. I needed a quick chat. But I won’t be long, and we can spend the rest of the afternoon together when I get home.” I gave her my best “I’m sorry” smile, but I could tell it wasn’t helping. “If you want, I can cancel with Hazel and come straight home.” “Of course not. You don’t change plans last minute on someone. Besides, your friend needs some adult time with a toddler and a baby at home.” How did I end up with the most understanding woman on the planet? I had been through many ups and downs in my life, but she had always remained my constant. “I love you, and I promise I won’t be too long. And our next afternoon off, I’m all yours, so pencil me in.” I kissed her cheek, and she smiled, but I could tell there was a twinge of sadness. “Do you want to do something special on Sunday?” It was the only day the shop was closed, and we usually spent it catching up on our weekly chores, but maybe she could put her schedule aside this once. “You know we can’t. There is so much on our to-do list,” she said matter-of-factly. I knew her anxiety limited her flexibility, but I would figure out a way to give us some time off together. Suze had been my lifeline for so long that sometimes I forgot she needed to breathe, too. “You’re right. But another time for sure.” I winked as I headed to the garage. “Be safe, and I love you.” “Ditto!” I called back as I shut the door. * * * Traffic was its usual bitchy self, but I made it to my appointment with a few minutes to spare. Outside, the air was thick and made it hard to breathe. When I entered the building, the heavy feeling hadn’t left. It was still hot and sticky, and I was fighting to keep my mind on the present. Before I could sit in the waiting room, Dr. Freeman called me back. As we made our way to her office, she said, “I’m sorry about the heat, but the air conditioner went out. I have a couple of fans running and opened the windows, but I can’t do much about the humidity.” “It’s okay. I appreciate you fitting me in today. I wanted…” The words got stuck in my throat as a train whistled by. Dizziness took over, and I crumbled to the couch. My skin was clammy, but I broke out in a cold sweat. However, it wasn’t from the current conditions. I was slipping, and everything about that day came rushing back. I closed my eyes, and my breathing was coming hard and fast. “Rose?” I heard a voice, but the blood pounding in my ears muffled it. This isn’t real. I told myself as I tried to employ a grounding technique, but I couldn’t focus on anything but them. I was back to that morning and no longer in control. “Rose?” It was faint, but I tried to grab onto it to pull myself out