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.
His dark hair had faded to salt and pepper, and his hairline receded slightly at the temples.
Jed had married young, and his two kids were grown now.
He and his wife had divorced about ten years ago, which had earned the disapproval of his and Marin’s father, who was still alive at the time.
Now it felt like something else she and Jed had in common.
“I’d love for you to visit,” Marin said. “Maybe this spring, once the weather warms up. I think the views from my new house will be amazing.” She showed him a photo of the house on her phone.
“Wow,” he said. “That’s great scenery.”
“Vermont is a beautiful state.”
“Glad you’re settling in.” He gave her what he probably thought was a casual look. “How’s it going otherwise? That leg giving you much trouble?”
Of all her siblings, he’d been the most involved after her accident, and she appreciated it immensely. “The nerve pain comes and goes, but I’m doing really well, thanks.”
He nodded. “Glad to hear it. Hey, Fran said she saw Andrew in the city last weekend. Did she tell you?”
Marin frowned. “No. Guess she didn’t put it in the group chat.” Fran was the middle child of the five Easterly kids. She was an investment broker in Manhattan, completely focused on her career. Even when Marin had lived in the city, she’d rarely spent time with Fran.
“She mentioned it when I talked to her a few days ago. Anyway, seems he’s engaged to that secretary he started dating after your divorce.” Jed gave her a sympathetic look.
“Good for him, I guess.” Marin sipped her coffee, surprised to realize she didn’t feel much of anything in response to the news.
Jed chuckled. “He didn’t waste any time. Meanwhile, you and I are taking it slow, am I right?”
“Well . . .” Her stomach tightened, and she felt acid from the coffee climbing back up her esophagus. This was what she’d come here to tell him, and now the moment had arrived.
“Wait a minute. Are you seeing someone?” He looked pleased at the thought.
“Not exactly, but . . . I’m getting back out there. I set myself up on a dating site, because I do want to find someone new.”
“Good for you.” Jed reached for his coffee. “I’ve dated a little bit here and there, but I’m not sure I’ll get serious with anyone again. I guess I like having my own space now.”
Marin looked down as her stomach twisted and a million excuses flitted through her mind. Then she exhaled, steeling herself. She’d come here to tell him the truth. Jed was a reasonable guy. He’d understand. She needed to just say it.
He was regarding her with interest. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind, sis. Something more serious than a dating app.”
“I do.” She exhaled, breathing through the tightness in her chest. “It’s important to me to start dating again because I want to date women.”
“Well, holy shit.” Jed’s eyebrows went up. “You’re a lesbian?”
She nodded. “I’ve known for a while, but it took time to find the courage to end things with Andrew.”
“I guess it would.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “You know, I want to say I’m shocked, because I certainly never suspected you were into women, but I don’t really feel shocked at all.”
“No?” Her shoulders unclenched as the tension left her body. Her gut instinct had been right, and maybe his had, too, since it seemed that somewhere deep down, he’d already known.
“Nah, you never looked happy with Andrew. Maybe this is why. Hope you have better luck with women than I have.” He offered a self-deprecating smile.
Marin let out an unexpected laugh. “I hope so too.”
It was nearly seven that evening by the time Marin made it back to her apartment.
She was exhausted, stiff, and sore from the drive, but happy.
Before she left, she’d asked Jed to keep her news to himself until she’d had the chance to tell the rest of her siblings in person.
Some things weren’t meant for the group chat.
Now she was home. Ember was passed out on the couch, and Marin was .
. . restless. When they’d texted on Thursday, Charlotte mentioned stopping by tonight with wine, but Marin hadn’t really talked to her since then.
She’d ended things with Laura, and she had no idea how to explain the whole thing to Charlotte.
Charlotte had sent several texts over the last few days, but Marin had kept her responses short and avoided making plans, hoping a little space might help her figure out what to do.
It wasn’t like her to stall, though. She picked up her phone and opened her text thread with Charlotte.
Should she ask if Charlotte still wanted to come over tonight?
Marin had plenty of practice hiding her feelings, but she’d never had a close friendship with someone she was so over-the-top attracted to before. It was really testing her self-control. She’d hoped a few days of space would give her clarity, but it hadn’t.
She stared at the text box, at a complete loss for what to say.
“Hi, I missed you today?” Definitely not.
“I came out to my brother, and it went pretty well?” Technically true, but it felt trite to make such an announcement after practically ignoring Charlotte for two days.
“Still want to come over?” That felt too forward, and honestly, having Charlotte over tonight might be too much for her to handle.
Maybe Marin needed a quiet evening to herself.
Decision made, she stood and walked to the refrigerator to see what she might be able to rustle up for dinner.
Ember had already eaten. Puppy food was easy that way.
As for Marin? Well, she had bread, and .
. . that was about it. Eggs and toast for dinner?
It wasn’t exciting, but it might have to do.
A knock at the door had her turning in surprise. She wasn’t expecting anyone tonight, unless . . .
Her stomach fizzed. Marin rushed to the door, and sure enough, Charlotte’s smiling face was on the other side. Marin’s skin flushed hot, and her heart lurched. She opened the door.
Charlotte held up a bottle of white wine and a reusable shopping bag.
“I wasn’t sure if you were still up for drinks tonight, so I grabbed a few things that will keep if needed.
Your apartment was on the way home from my last showing, so I figured if your light was on, I’d knock, and if you’re not up for company, just say the word and I’m gone. ”
Charlotte’s smile was both hopeful and hesitant. Her hair was down, and it tumbled somewhat messily over her shoulders, and . . . Marin’s body made the decision for her, stepping back to invite Charlotte inside.
“You sure?” Charlotte asked. “I could drop off the wine and food and go if you’d rather be alone?” Her eyes were questioning. She must wonder why Marin had been so quiet the last few days, and Marin had no good answer to give her.
“I’m sure,” Marin told her as Ember joined them at the door, wagging enthusiastically to see Charlotte there. “You’re one of her favorite people, you know.”
“Well, her mom is one of my favorite people, so . . .” Charlotte passed the shopping bag and bottle of wine to Marin, then knelt to pick up the excited puppy.
“Who’s a good puppy? That’s right, Ember, you are.
You’re the best puppy.” She cooed over her while Ember writhed happily in her arms, tail thrashing and tongue trying to reach any part of Charlotte she could kiss.
“Now that she’s up, I better—”
“I’ve already got shoes and a coat on. I’ll take her.
” Charlotte reached for Ember’s leash and fastened it before setting her down.
“Right, baby girl? Let’s go outside real quick, and then we’ll have some snacks and hear all about your mom’s hot date and visit with her brother.
” She turned and led Ember down the walkway.
Now that Charlotte was here, Marin felt foolish for even considering keeping her distance while she tried to get this attraction under control.
It just wasn’t an option. Charlotte was too important to her.
So Marin did the only reasonable thing. She set the shopping bag on the counter and got out a corkscrew to open the wine.
Charlotte reentered Marin’s apartment determined to get their friendship back on track.
She wasn’t sure what had happened this week, why Marin seemed to pull away, but she was going to do everything in her power to repair things.
Maybe Marin had been distant for reasons that had nothing to do with Charlotte.
Maybe she’d had more nerve pain than usual.
Or maybe she’d noticed that Charlotte was being weird around her, and this was her reaction.
Whatever the case, Charlotte was here, determined not to be weird, determined to make things right between them.
“I brought a charcuterie plate and some cookies along with the wine, in case you haven’t eaten.
I haven’t had dinner yet, at any rate. I just finished work for the day. ”