It seemed to Charlotte that these moments kept happening, these little pauses when their eyes caught or their hands bumped, and Charlotte’s heart would race. She’d get flustered and not know what to do with her body. She knew this feeling with a man, but with a woman?
It was foreign and confusing, and Marin was herfriend. Marin was dating Laura now anyway. Yesterday, Laura had kissed her, for crying out loud. On the cheek, but still. This wasn’t the time for Charlotte to question her sexuality, and Marin was absolutely not the woman she should be having these kinds of feelings for.
Charlotte wouldn’t let anything ruin their friendship. Marin thought Charlotte was straight, and that was for the best. For all she knew, shewasstraight. She and Marin had been through an incredibly intense situation together the morning they met. She’d held Marin’s hand and watched her heart stop. She’d thought she watched Marindie. Maybe Charlotte was confusing that connection for something more than it was.
Deep down, she knew that was a flimsy excuse, but whatever. Marin was dating someone, which meant Charlotte couldn’t act on her feelings anyway. So, Charlotte’s sexuality was irrelevant right now. And anyway, she didn’t want to dateanyone, not a man, woman, or anyone else, until she’d accomplished the things she’d come to Vermont to do.
“Awfully quiet,” Marin observed as she reached into the bag and pulled out the two muffins, then placed one in front of Charlotte.
“Sorry. Got lost in my thoughts for a minute.” Charlotte reached for her latte and took a big sip, grateful it had cooled enough that she didn’t burn her tongue.
Marin picked up her own latte. “That’s a measure of getting to know someone, isn’t it? When you feel comfortable zoning out in front of them.”
“Yes,” Charlotte agreed. “That is nice. So are you feeling better today?”
“The nerve pain is gone. I still have some sore muscles, but those are from snowshoeing, which was fun, so they’re totally worth it.”
“Good.”
“Laura and I are having dinner together on Thursday.” Marin was beaming now.
Charlotte forced herself not to flinch. “Really? Wow. That’s a big step.”
“It is.” Marin broke off a piece of muffin and popped it in her mouth, making the sexiest little moan as she chewed. “God, that’s good. We’re going to this place called Erin’s that’s apparently very casual and dog friendly, so I can bring Ember with me.”
“Erin’s isn’t the most romantic place, but bringing Ember along is a plus.” Charlotte tried to inject some enthusiasm into her tone. “You know I’m always happy to watch her for you too.”
“I know, and I appreciate it.” Marin’s expression had gotten ... “Dreamy” was the best word Charlotte could think of to describe it, and now she felt sick. “Laura suggested Erin’s, and it was so thoughtful of her to accommodate my puppy. I really like her.”
“That’s amazing.” Charlotte picked at her muffin. “I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to hear all about your second date.”
“Second date. I like the sound of that.” Marin grinned as she took another bite of her muffin. “Things are starting to feel real now. Next weekend, I’m driving out to visit my brother Jed.” Her expression dimmed, worry wrinkling her brow. “I decided I’ll come out to him first.”
“Yeah? That’s a huge step. How are you feeling about it?”
“Honestly? Terrified,” Marin admitted, “but there’s a reason I’m starting with Jed. He’s pretty laid back. I think he’ll be supportive.”
“Good. Where does he live?”
“Saratoga Springs. It’s about an hour and a half from here, so it’ll be a day trip for me.”
“Is Ember going with you?”
“I think so,” Marin said. “I’ll double-check with Jed first, but I don’t think he’ll mind. If he does, I’ll see if Ji-Yoon can watch her. I know you’re busy on Saturdays.”
“I am,” Charlotte admitted ruefully. “Working nights and weekends is the biggest downside of my job.”
“Well, I’m awfully grateful for your job, or else we might never have reconnected.” Marin reached out and gripped Charlotte’s hand, and the look they exchanged was so intense, surely it was imprinted on Charlotte’s soul.
It was also too much, with her newly realized feelings. Charlotte pulled away somewhat awkwardly. “I’m glad for that too.” She searcheddesperately for a subject change to lighten the mood. “Um, I haven’t checked my horoscope yet today. Want me to read yours too?”
Marin’s lips quirked. “I thought you weren’t reading those as often these days?”
“I wasn’t, but lately I’ve started keeping up with them again.” Charlotte shrugged. “I’m starting to feel curious about what the universe has in store for me ... thanks to you.”
“So you’re married?” Charlotte gestured awkwardly toward Elena’s left hand, where a gold band rested. They’d met for lunch at a little café near the university, and Charlotte was unreasonably anxious about attempting to reconnect with her former best friend. “Tell me about him. Anyone I know?”
Elena shook her head. “We met through a dating app, of all things. His name’s Carlos, and you can just imagine how thrilled my mom is that I did indeed find a nice Puerto Rican man to marry, even living all the way up here in Vermont.”
