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“Hi,” Carmen half choked. “Sorry, the sandwich went down the wrong hole.”

Molly laughed, swiping the rest of Carmen’s sandwich off her plate. “Mmm, wow, that’s a good sandwich,” she mumbled. Carmen couldn’t speak. “Has Faith spoken to you?”

“Not since everything happened this morning.” Molly nodded, her eyes locked onto the last square of bread in her hand. “How are you? Really?” Carmen asked.

Molly’s shoulders dropped. “It was a lot. I’m just glad Faith is doing okay.”

“And you? Are you doing okay?”

“I—” Molly suddenly teared up. This is what Carmen had been afraid of. Molly keeping her feelings bottled up. Twenty years of waiting and hoping had ended today. That wasn’t something she would move past easily.

Scooting her chair closer, Carmen wrapped Molly up in her arms. Molly’s sobs were muffled as she buried her face in Carmen’s neck.

“I miss my parents so much. I miss what I had,” Molly finally rasped. “We were so happy. So loved, and it was shitty that got ripped away. For me and for Alan, but I thought I would always have him. I thought he would always be on my side. I truly believed he would come around one day. How could he not? I’m his only living family. But, after today? After seeing the hatred and anger he still holds in his heart, I know my prayers will go unanswered. And now I know I’m truly alone.”

Carmen’s heart broke for the young girl whose life had been ripped apart. For the adolescent that had her only brother disown her and for the adult in front of her now. “You are not alone,” Carmen whispered into her hair. “Love surrounds you. Faith is your blood. You have a family that loves you. I know it can’t wash away the pain you’ve suffered, but it’s a new beginning, Molly.”

“She’s not staying,” Molly hiccupped. “Faith, she doesn’t want to stay.”

Carmen pulled herself away from Molly, searching her face. “What do you mean? Where is she going?”

“She’s leaving with you. Her life is in Seattle.”

“Molly, I—”

“It’s okay, honestly. She’s finally building a life for herself. I want her to go where her heart takes her.”

“I’ll look after her, I swear.” Carmen was walking a fine line of heartache and happiness. Knowing Faith wanted to live with her and Mateo was wonderful. Seeing Molly so upset was not. Should she talk to Faith, urge her to reconsider? No, it wasn’t her place. Faith needed to be in charge of her life. Carmen was there to support and guide nothing more.

“We will talk on the phone and hopefully I can visit.”

“You are welcome anytime, Molly. Anytime.”

“Thank you, Carmen. I feel like my words aren’t enough to express the gratitude for everything you and Mateo have done for her.”

“Please, no more thanks. I just want to help.”

“You do,” Molly whispered, her lips brushing Carmen’s cheek. Carmen’s eyes fluttered shut as she relished in the sensation of Molly’s sumptuous lips on her skin.

“Hey, there’s a lady at the door for you, Molly,” Mateo shouted from the hall. Molly sat back slowly, her eyes on Carmen.

“Send them in,” Molly shouted back. Carmen stared, unable to break the contact with Molly. The urge to take Molly by the face and kiss her soundly was so strong she had to fight to remain still. The sound of footsteps approaching the kitchen finally snapped her out of the trance Molly had her in. Molly blinked, looked down at her lap briefly before getting up.

Carmen turned to the kitchen door where a very attractive woman stepped in, pulling Molly in by the waist and doing the one thing Carmen wished she could. Kissing Molly on the mouth. Carmen’s jaw tightened so hard she was close to cracking her back teeth.

“Hey you,” the mystery harlot said to Molly in a low voice.

“Chel-Chelsea, hi, um, what are you doing here?” Molly was clearly flustered. Carmen narrowed her eyes at the intruder.

“It’s been a few days since we’ve caught up. I have this evening off, so I thought I’d swing by. I didn’t realize you’d have guests.” Chelsea—ugh, what a name—flicked her eyes towards Carmen.

“Oh, right, um, this is Carmen,” Molly stuttered, gesturing to Carmen. “And this is Mateo. They drove Faith, my niece, here from Seattle.”

“Oh, cool,” Chelsea smiled. “Staying long?” Chelsea’s gaze fell once again squarely on Carmen. Ah, she’s threatened.

“Just a couple more days. We need to get back by the start of next week,” Carmen answered smoothly.

“And you are?” Mateo asked kindly.