“This might be the hangover talking, but a greasy breakfast sandwich is calling my name.” She pressed a hand against her stomach, which had growled obnoxiously at the thought. “Know a good place?”
“You bet I do. Bacon, egg, and cheese?”
“Is there any other way to eat a breakfast sandwich?” Marin was surprised by the teasing note in her voice. She liked who she was around Charlotte, a more fun version of herself.
Charlotte grinned. “Absolutely not. Okay, let me get dressed, and I’ll go get us some greasy hangover cures.”
At her words, Marin’s eyes were drawn to Charlotte’s bare legs. She wore a borrowed tee and sleep shorts that Marin barely remembered giving her last night when they decided they’d had too much to drinkand Charlotte should stay. Just as quickly, she yanked her gaze back to Charlotte’s face. “Sure. Help yourself to any toiletries you need.”
“Thanks.” Charlotte headed for the bathroom.
Half an hour later, Charlotte was back at Marin’s apartment with two deliciously greasy breakfast sandwiches. She’d also bought a couple of donuts because they looked too delicious to pass up. She knocked at the door, wondering if it was her imagination that it took longer than usual for Marin to open it.
“Hi.” Marin offered a smile that seemed slightly brittle. Her movements were stiff, and obviously this nerve pain was worse than she was letting on.
“The stretches didn’t help, huh?” She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.
“Sometimes they don’t.” Marin rubbed at her right thigh. “Breakfast smells delicious, though.”
“It really does.” Charlotte walked to the breakfast table. “What’s more comfortable for you? Sitting? Standing? Breakfast in bed?”
Marin’s surprise at the question was obvious, although she had probably tried to hide her reaction. She seemed somewhat hesitant to share her pain with Charlotte, and she hoped that was just Marin’s nature and not a result of how her ex-husband had treated her. “Standing, probably. Then I may lie down after breakfast. Sorry.”
“What in the world are you apologizing for? Pain happens. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“Breakfast definitely helps.” Marin’s expression softened. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. So have you heard back from any of the women you messaged last night?” Charlotte pushed a breakfast sandwich and a donut in front of Marin and went to pour two mugs of coffee, eager to make herself useful.
“I had two messages waiting this morning, actually.”
“Yeah?” Charlotte grinned as she placed a mug of coffee in front of Marin. “Good ones?”
“Yeah, they both sound nice. It’s exciting. Thanks for helping me get started.”
“You bet. I’m glad you’re off to such a good start. You’ll be on your first date with a woman before you know it.”
“I sure hope so.” Marin’s face held a look of such raw, intense longing, it took Charlotte’s breath away. She blinked, and it was gone, but Charlotte felt her whole perspective shift in that moment. She had no idea what it was like to be in Marin’s shoes, to be forty-seven and never have dated someone she was physically attracted to. No wonder she seemed nearly overcome by the anticipation.
“This is a big deal for you,” Charlotte murmured as she wrapped her hands around her coffee mug. “I think I just realizedhowbig of a deal.”
“The biggest. I’m overwhelmed just thinking about it.” Her face transformed with a brilliant smile. “The best kind of overwhelmed.”
“I can’t wait to hear every detail.” And yet, Charlotte felt a strange little ping of discomfort at the thought of Marin treating another woman to that beautiful smile.
“Every detail?” Marin’s eyebrows rose, laughter sparkling in her eyes.
“I want to know everything about your journey,” Charlotte clarified. “Anything you feel comfortable sharing ... maybe noteverydetail when you finally have sex with a woman.” She laughed, somewhat awkwardly.
“I’m not really one to share details about my sex life.” Marin looked embarrassed now. “Not that I’ve ever had much excitement to share in that department.”
“Soon you’ll have all the excitement you can handle.” Honestly, Charlotte couldn’t even imagine what it would be like, having sex with someone she was attracted to for the first time at Marin’s age.
“Hopefully.” Marin took a big bite of her breakfast sandwich and moaned. “Okay, this is amazing. Just what I needed this morning.”
“They’re great, right? It’s from Betty’s Bakery in town.”
Marin chewed and swallowed. “Noted.”
