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“Excuse you, who is the genius?” Faith huffed. Carmen loved this version of Faith, who had well and truly burst out of her closet. Not just with soaring confidence as a queer woman, but with sass and attitude. Faith was still the kind and gracious kid that had turned up on her doorstep, but now she believed in herself. It really was a beautiful thing to witness.

“You’re right, chica, this one belongs to you,” Mateo conceded, bowing his head slightly. Faith giggled and swatted his arm.

Another chime of Carmen’s phone interrupted their antics. “Jeez, she’s keen,” Mateo laughed, presuming the message was from Rachel. It wasn’t. As soon as Carmen’s eyes spied Molly’s name, her heart gave a brief flutter.

Over the course of the past few weeks, Molly began to message daily. At first Carmen found it difficult to engage, but Molly was good at putting her at ease. It didn’t take long for them to begin daily conversations. Most of the time, they spoke about everyday life. Molly updated Carmen on the kids. Courtney and Lisa were well and truly in the young love stage. Micah was storming their way up the ranks in their job. Even Liam was doing better. He’d joined a gaming club and was making new friends.

Carmen talked about the work she was doing for Rita. Their mutual passion for helping queer youths made their conversations easy to get lost in.

To help move past her guilt of sleeping with Faith’s aunt, Carmen had been open and honest with her therapist. Since letting that night go, she and Molly had built a genuine friendship. However, they never talked about women and dating. Carmen wasn’t sure she was quite ready to hear about Molly being with someone else, which she knew was stupid because they only had one night together.

That being said, Carmen could recognize now that their one night had meant something to her and that she wouldn’t simply dismiss it as nothing. “Oh, it’s not Rachel,” Carmen commented nonchalantly.

“Is it Molly?” Faith asked innocently. Faith was still in the dark about Carmen and Molly’s transgression and that’s how it would stay. As far as Faith was concerned, they were just friends.

“Yeah, it is. She’s covering a night shift at the shelter.”

“She’s been doing that a lot lately,” Faith sighed. “I think there’s something going on with her, but when I ask, she dodges the question.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Mateo assured.

“Has she mentioned anything to you?” Faith asked Carmen.

“No, nothing. She’s probably tired and missing you, kiddo.”

“Yeah, I think it’s time I invited her for a visit.”

The sudden thudding of Carmen’s heart took her by surprise. They’d done well forming a long-distance friendship. Carmen wasn’t sure she’d be so chill with Molly being close. And what if things with Rachel took off? How awkward would that be? Well, only if Molly still thought about their night together. That was unlikely, right? Yeah, Carmen was overthinking, as usual. Laying her worries to one side, she laid a hand on Faith’s shoulder. “You should absolutely invite her here. Bessie, too. I bet Enid would love that.”

There, she’d done the right thing. Faith skipped out of her room, presumably to call Molly. Mateo bumped Carmen’s shoulder. “Are you okay with that?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah, it will do Faith a world of good seeing her again. And I’m in a better place now. We had a night together, but that’s all it was.”

“Okay, if you’re good, I’m good. Now let’s get you looking hot as hell for your date tonight.”

Yes, that’s what Carmen needed to concentrate on. The person who was an option for her. Not a fantasy that still haunted her dreams.

Chapter 23

Molly

Stupid, stupid Molly. Of all the things she could’ve done—sorry of all the people she could’ve done—Chelsea was the worst possible choice, and yet here she lay naked next to her ex-friend with benefits. Idiot!

“Mmm, that was good,” Chelsea whispered in Molly’s ear.

Covering her face with both her hands, Molly wished she could rewind the past hour of her life. “That was a mistake.”

“Really? You think an orgasm is a mistake?” Chelsea answered cockily.

“In this case, yes.” Molly was furious with herself. Hauling herself out of Chelsea’s bed, Molly dressed, unable to meet Chelsea’s eyes. “Sorry, Chelsea, I don’t want to confuse you. I said we were done doing this and then…” Molly gestured between them. “It’s the last time it will happen. I stand by what I said before.”

“If you say so,” Chelsea chuckled, causing Molly to scowl.

“Bye, Chelsea.” Molly left before Chelsea stopped her or tried to convince her to stay longer. For weeks Molly stayed out of Chelsea’s way, knowing the woman still wanted more, but then Molly found out Carmen was going on a date and that flipped everything on its head.

Instead of dealing with her feelings, Molly sought Chelsea and did the one thing she shouldn’t have. She used sex to forget her emotions, and it was utterly ridiculous. Molly knew that going in and yet she’d gone through with it anyway. But of course, all the emotions she forgot came rushing back the moment the fucking had finished. And now she felt worse than before.

Breaking way too many road laws, Molly skidded to a stop at the front of the ranch. Bessie cocked both eyebrows from her seat on the front deck. Great, now she was going to have to explain why she was driving like a maniac. And why was her shirt inside out? Fuck!