Page 95 of Finding Molly Parsons

“Is the Apocalypse happening or something?” Bessie asked.

“No,” Molly grumbled.

“Oh sweetie, what the hell happened? You’ve got a face like someone just kicked your dog.”

Dramatically flinging herself in the chair next to Bessie, Molly cradled her head in her hands. “I did something stupid.”

“I can’t be that bad?”

“I slept with Chelsea.”

“Yeah, okay, that was stupid.”

Molly glared at Bessie. “Really? Is that all you have to say?”

“What? You said you did something stupid, and I agreed. Care to tell me why you slept with her?”

“Not really.”

“Could it have something to do with the reason you’ve had a bee in your bonnet for weeks now?”

“I have not,” Molly argued. She absolutely had. Ever since the party and that sublime session with Carmen Ruiz, Molly had been a hot mess. Why, of all people, did Molly have to connect so deeply with Carmen? A woman who lived in another state. A woman who—as of recently—didn’t date seriously. A woman who had shattered Molly’s idea of what good sex felt like.

No matter how hard she worked in the fields or how tired she felt after a day at the shelter, Molly’s mind wouldn’t quit thinking about that night. She still winced when she thought of how they acted with each other after they were both sated. In a few moments, they went from passionate to awkward. Molly remembered Carmen looked as if she wanted to jump in her car there and then and take off. Instead, they’d walked silently back to the party, mussed and smelling of sex.

Bessie and Enid had given them both knowing smirks, which made everything feel a hundred times worse. Thankfully, Faith didn’t notice a thing. They managed a few more minutes before Carmen excused herself and went to bed.

Obviously, Molly had gotten no sleep that night. Her brain anticipated how Carmen would act the next morning. The answer was distant. Carmen nipped into the kitchen and grabbed a piece of toast before leaving again. Only giving a brief wave to everyone in the room. And that was it. Molly didn’t see Carmen again until they were saying goodbye.

Their hug was brief, and Molly struggled to keep her composure. If she’d known for one second that was how things would go down, she would never have initiated anything, no matter how much she wanted it.

Weeks passed, and Molly finally plucked up the courage to text Carmen. Believing it was best to skate over their time together, Molly acted as she did before they fucked. And it worked, for the most part. Their messages became frequent and their friendship bloomed. Perfect, right? Everyone was moving on.

But then Faith called, inviting her to Seattle, and mentioning that Carmen was preparing to go out on a first date with some detective called Rachel. The same detective Faith told Molly helped keep an eye out for her when Alan was still a threat. Awesome, just fantastic.

“You just went to a dark place,” Bessie stated. “You’re frowning so hard right now.”

“It’s just been a shit day is all.”

“Alright. Enough. Molly, spit it out.”

Molly should’ve known Bessie would only hold back for so long. “I slept with Carmen.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Bessie grinned.

“I slept with her and then it got weird and awkward. She left and we’ve only just started talking again. Now she’s going out with some woman.”

“There’s quite a bit there to unpack. Let’s start with you sleeping with her.”

“Do we have to?”

“Yes, if you want to stop feeling like this.” Bessie waved her hand up and down Molly’s slumped posture.

“Fine,” Molly growled. “We were close. We fucked.”

“Nope, try again.”

“Ugh,” Molly sighed. “Carmen just got me. From the moment she turned up. She listened and understood what I needed. I was happy to just stay friends, but then I don’t know, I just couldn’t stop myself and I kissed her.”

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