“It was.” Marin forced a smile. “I’ll text you?” She scooped Ember into her arms, vaguely aware she was using the puppy as a barrier between them.
“Definitely do. Good night, Marin ... and Ember.” Laura ruffled the puppy’s head, then leaned in to press another quick kiss to Marin’s cheek before getting into her car.
Marin’s head was swimming, and her emotions were in chaos. She unlocked her own car and tucked Ember into her crate on the back seat. As she started the drive home, tears gathered in her eyes because the more she thought about it, the more she wondered if she was leading Laura on. Laura seemed genuinely interested in her, while Marin was so hung up on Charlotte, she couldn’t even think straight.
Back at her apartment, Marin changed into her hoodie and flannel pants, still fighting tears. What was she going to do? How long would it take to get over Charlotte? Marin was finally dating, and she couldn’t even enjoy it because she’d fallen for the wrong woman.
A tear broke free as she sat on the couch. Ember leaped onto her lap and licked it from her face. “I’m so glad I have you,” she whispered to the puppy. Sometimes lately, it felt like Ember was the only thing in her life that made any sense.
Her phone pinged with an incoming text, and Marin tensed, unsure if she wanted it to be from Laura or Charlotte. She probably shouldn’t talk to either of them right now, not while she was this upset. She reached for her phone with a sigh.
Charlotte Danton: How was your date? Hope it wasGreat& need all the details!!
Marin had no idea how to respond. The date itself had gone well. The kiss? Well, the more Marin thought about it, the more that kiss slammed home the reality that she didn’t have chemistry with Laura. She felt more attraction for Charlotte than she did for the woman she was dating. Which meant ... what?
More tears fell as she stared at Charlotte’s text. Charlotte was such a good friend. She’d consistently been so supportive of Marin’s dating endeavors, and it really meant the world. Marin dug deep for the right words to reply with, because she needed to sound enthusiastic enough to keep Charlotte from asking questions Marin had no answers for.
Me: Really nice! Even Ember had fun.
Charlotte Danton: Squeeeeeeee!!!
Charlotte Danton: Was there more kissing?!?!
Me: Yes
Charlotte Danton: OMG
Charlotte Danton: I want to know everything!
Me: Yes but not tonight. I’m exhausted.
Charlotte Danton: Hang out soon?
Charlotte Danton: I’ve got showings all day tmrw & most of Sat too unfortunately
Me: I’m driving out to see Jed on Sat anyway
Charlotte Danton: Oh right! Maybe Sat evening after you get back?
Me: That should work
Charlotte Danton: Ok putting it on my calendar
Charlotte Danton: I’ll bring wine, make it a girls’ night
Me: Sounds perfect
That was the truth, unfortunately. She enjoyed every moment spent with Charlotte so much more than she enjoyed her time with Laura or anyone else. Marin would wait to officially make the decision when her emotions weren’t so raw, but deep down she knew the truth.
She would have to end things with Laura.
Chapter Fourteen
“We need to do this more often.” Jed smiled as he settled in the chair across from Marin. They were seated in his kitchen with cups of coffee while Ember napped on a dog bed at Marin’s feet, wearing her leash so she didn’t get into trouble in Marin’s brother’s house.
“We really do. Now that I’m in Vermont, it’s only an hour and a half drive.”
“Let me know once you’re settled in your new house and ready for visitors. I’d love to come see it, and you.” Jed was the youngest of Marin’s siblings at fifty-seven. For that reason, she’d always been closest with him out of all her brothers and sisters. That, and he was one of the most laid-back people in her family.
