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“Molly, she’s gone.”

Gone? What the hell did that mean? “Sorry, I don’t follow.”

“Carmen left, chica.”

???

“I think we’re getting good at this,” Nathalie chuckled, gently stroking Faith’s hair.

“Practice does make perfect,” Faith grinned, turning her head to kiss Nathalie’s jaw.

“I could stay like this all day.” Nathalie pulled Faith closer. Faith could absolutely stay like this all day, but they’d already started earning raised eyebrows from Mateo and Molly. So, maybe they were skipping all forms of socializing with the people they loved most to dash to the bedroom as often as possible. Was that so wrong?

Faith was just happy Carmen wasn’t here to witness it. Ever since Carmen heard them going at it, she scowled at Nathalie every chance she got. Faith found it highly entertaining, because Nathalie would go bright red and scuttle off to Faith’s room. Carmen would then smile triumphantly at her work, winking at Faith. No matter how many times Faith explained to Nathalie that Carmen was yanking her chain, Nathalie still tried to avoid Carmen as much as possible.

“How are you feeling about your mom being here?”

Well, wasn’t that the million-dollar question? It had certainly been a shock to see her mom standing next to Molly on the doorstep. Sadly, it had been less of a shock to see the state of her mother’s face.

The talk, which began after their arrival, had been hard. Maureen begged and pleaded for Faith’s forgiveness. Of course, Faith wanted to forgive her mother, but something deep inside didn’t feel right to just let everything go. Maybe her mom’s link to her father was still too fresh. Faith didn’t quite know. Molly seemed to be convinced Maureen meant no harm, and Faith wanted to believe that.

Faith asked her mom for some time to think. She was happy to keep talking and working through things, but it had to be at her own pace. Maureen agreed.

Molly had always meant to be staying with Faith at the house. Maureen knew this and happily booked a hotel for a few nights. Depending on how things went, Maureen would travel back to California in a week’s time. Molly planned to stay longer.

After Maureen left, Faith spent some time with Molly, hearing her side of recent events. Honestly, Faith had been a little annoyed at being ambushed and would have preferred Molly to warn her about her mom visiting, but she couldn’t stay mad. Not when she saw the toll it had taken on her aunt.

Plus, Molly looked… dejected. It took Faith a little while to realize Molly’s mood was down to Carmen’s absence. Instead of asking Molly about it, Faith let her be. Nathalie came over in the evening and Faith was happy to see Molly take to her girlfriend. Still, Faith could see that Molly wasn’t herself.

“I’m feeling okay. We’ll take things day by day. I don’t want to rush anything.”

“That’s fair. I bet you’re happy to have Molly here, though, right?”

“Completely. I’ve been looking forward to her visiting for weeks.”

“But?” Damn Nathalie and her observational super powers.

“But she’s not happy. I mean, she’s happy to see me, but I think Carmen being gone has really upset her.”

“Did you ask her about it?”

“No, because I didn’t want to push it.”

“I get that, but if you’re worried, talk to her.”

Faith pulled Nathalie in tighter. She loved the feeling of her girlfriend’s arms around her. She really liked the feeling of Nathalie’s naked body against her, too.

“I will, today. I want her to enjoy her visit.”

“Good, but I think that can wait for a little longer,” Nathalie growled in her ear, nipping Faith’s lobe.

Yeah, it could definitely wait.

???

“Mol, fancy taking a walk around the neighborhood?”

“Sure thing. What time are you meeting up with your mom?”