Chapter Eleven
It was almost four, and Charlotte was restless. Marin and Laura had been out together for hours now. Were things going well? Had they gone for coffee after snowshoeing the way Marin had mentioned? Given the time, it seemed like they must have.
As Charlotte sat alone in Marin’s apartment, her thoughts kept roaming to that moment in the kitchen right before Marin left, when Charlotte had touched Marin’s cheek while she told her how beautiful she was. Marin had turned her face into the touch, or at least, that was how it happened in Charlotte’s memories, but she felt so confused about the whole damn thing, she wasn’t sure she could trust her mental replay.
Had Marin leaned into the touch, or had she just been flattered by Charlotte’s praise? Charlotte’s stomach squirmed. She hadn’t been able to settle since it happened. Why had she touched Marin’s cheek?
Why couldn’t she stop obsessing about what was happening on Marin’s date? Charlotte wanted Marin to find happiness with a woman. No one deserved it more than Marin. So what if Marin might have less time to spend with Charlotte once she started dating someone?Charlotte shouldnotbe thinking about that. She really was the worst friend. This was exactly how she’d ruined her friendship with Elena.
Charlotte placed a hand on the sleeping puppy beside her. Ember loved to cuddle, and Charlotte loved that about her. Ember rolled belly up against her thigh, and Charlotte obediently began to rub her tummy as her tail swished happily against the upholstery.
“I hope your mom’s having fun on her date.”
Ember’s tail wagged harder.
“You’re a really good puppy, aren’t you?”
The sound of the door opening had both Charlotte and Ember lifting their heads. Charlotte experienced a strange burst of excitement in anticipation of seeing Marin, while Ember slid down Charlotte’s legs and bounded to the door, wagging so hard her whole body swayed from side to side.
Marin stepped into the apartment. She still wore Charlotte’s snow pants, paired with a navy blue top that looked great on her. Marin’s hair was a bit tousled from her outdoor adventures, her cheeks flushed a healthy pink. That sense of excitement increased to full-fledged tingles in Charlotte’s belly.
“How was it?” she asked, surprised to realize she sounded vaguely out of breath.
Marin’s smile was dazzling. “It was great. Really great.”
Charlotte’s stomach swooped with disappointment, and she immediately hated herself for it. Why was she such a terrible friend? Regardless, she feigned excitement. “I’m so glad! Tell me everything.”
“Well.” Marin scooped Ember into her arms and sat beside Charlotte on the couch. A faintly sweet scent lingered on her, maybe from the coffee shop. “She kissed me.”
Charlotte let out an embarrassing squeak, feeling like she’d been punched in the gut. Everything inside her rejected the idea of Marin kissing Laura, to the point that she felt physically sick just thinking about it. “Oh my god,” she managed.
“Yeah.” Marin had a dreamy smile on her face. “Just on the cheek, but still ... it was really nice.” She turned her head, staring at Charlotte.
Charlotte felt some relief to learn that no one’s lips had been on Marin’s today. Although there was no reason why Marin shouldn’t have kissed Laura on the mouth. None at all. So why was Charlotte having a weird, totally inappropriate freak-out just thinking about it?
“Are you okay?” Marin was still looking at her, those rich brown eyes locked on Charlotte’s, and Charlotte’s heart was about to burst out of her chest. Her body felt overheated, and her pulse was racing.
What was happening to her right now? This wasn’t right. This wasn’t ...
This wasn’t the reaction of a straight woman learning that her friend had been kissed by someone else. What ...?
She gulped, and another strange sound escaped her lips, something akin to a gasp. Not straight. Was she not straight? But ...
“Charlotte?” Marin’s head was tilted now, her expression one of concern.
Charlotte was ruining her moment. She sucked in a deep breath and pushed her emotions down deep. Marin had called her first date with Lauragreat. This was a big deal for her. The biggest! And Charlotte wouldnotmess it up for her. She gave her head a quick shake. “I’m fine. I think I dozed off here with Ember on the couch, and now I feel a little delayed.”
Marin’s smile widened. “I know that feeling. Total disorientation. Even worse when someone’s talking to you, and you’re not quite awake yet.”
“Exactly,” Charlotte said, relieved her body had returned to normal. “I should probably run Ember outside since she hasn’t been in a bit, and then I want to hear absolutely everything about your date.”
“I’ll take her.” Marin started to stand, but Charlotte caught the wince she tried to hide. Had snowshoeing caused her nerve pain to flare up?
Charlotte scooped the puppy into her arms and stood. “I’ve got her. You should go change out of those snow pants, put on something more comfortable.”
“Okay,” Marin acquiesced, wincing again as she stood. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. I love hanging out with Ember as long as I’m not the one who has to get up with her at three a.m.”
