At the Crossing by Suzanne Clay

Author:Suzanne Clay [Clay, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Suzanne Clay

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Annabel lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling. She had to think about work. There were dishes in the sink. Tomorrow she was supposed to get groceries, and she hadn't started a list.

But her mind was racing, and she had yet to figure out how to slow it down.

Quiet hobbling told her that Kat was awake now, but Annabel couldn't muster the energy to look toward the hallway. She'd barely slept as it was.

The shuffling grew louder, then stopped abruptly. "You all right?" Kat asked.

Annabel let out a deep sigh. "Did you know I had a crush on you?"

Silence.

Kat continued into the room, the sound of her movement breaking through. "I did."

"Was it weird for you? Did you think I was going to...do something?"

"Annabel," Kat murmured. "I know you. You're not a jackass. You knew I was straight, and you respected it. Why the hell would I think otherwise?"

Annabel knew why she'd imagined that. Her church had spent years whispering lies about queer predators taking advantage of those they lusted for. It was yet another trauma she still had to heal. Annabel finally looked at Kat. "You're right. I never wanted to make you uncomfortable. I tried to hide it, but…”

"You're an open book." Kat smiled.

Annabel nodded.

Kat's lips relaxed into a wry line. "I'm...sorry, if I hurt you at all."

"You didn't. You were exactly what I needed: safe, clearheaded, and kind."

Last night—the longest one Annabel had ever experienced—she'd wondered if she was responsible for Kat's sprain. Maybe she'd done silent magic without meaning to, trying to force Kat to be reliant on Annabel so that they could become closer. But she could only believe that hypothesis if she was still deeply infatuated with Kat.

Now, the longer that Annabel studied her roommate, two truths occurred to her. Kat was one of the most striking women Annabel had ever seen, even in shapeless pajamas and a head scarf. But Annabel recognized this without the familiar leap in her stomach.

Kat's compassionate gaze softened. "Seriously, are you okay? What happened?"

Annabel relaxed. "I just figured out that I'm over you, that's all."

"Oh." Kat blinked. "Is that bad?"

Annabel snorted and shook her head. "It's new. But I'm not upset about it. And thank goodness, really, because I'd be so pissed at myself if you weren't my best friend anymore."

Kat brightened as she sank into one of their living room chairs and elevated her foot on the coffee table. "That would suck for me too. I'd hate to lose my best friend."

A quiet warmth washed over Annabel. She sat up and crossed her legs, turning to face Kat. "It's the last night of your ritual. How have you been feeling?"

Kat exhaled slowly. "Good, actually. This shit works. I owe Miss Jones a coffee, the next time I see her. It blows my mind, every time she teaches me something new." She leaned in. "Thank you, too, for everything you've done to help. You should think of a reward you want also. Dinner?

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.