Page 32 of Suncatcher

Pearl swallowed around her gritty throat. She’d come because Molly had told her to. “Yeah, well.”

“You’ll have to visit when you can actually see the room. All the rooms.”

A sinking pit started in Pearl’s gut, and she didn’t answer. She didn’t want to lead Rosie on or hurt her feelings. Again.

One of Rosie’s hands still gripped Pearl’s forearm, and the other slid lightly up her shoulder. “The storm might be a while…”

The open invitation and the sensation of a warm woman pressed against her in the dark strangled Pearl’s sense for a moment.

She’s too sweet for you.

“Don’t do this,” Pearl whispered as Rosie’s creeping hand curled around the back of Pearl’s neck.

“Why not?”

“You know what I’m gonna say.”

“So you’re still trying to protect me, like everyone else?”

Yes, Pearl was. The memory of Rosie’s grief over her late wife three years ago still made Pearl’s stomach clench annoyingly. Pearl had known Rosie their entire lives and the woman didn’t love in half measures. She gave her heart easily and willingly. Pearl couldn’t return that. Pearl wouldn’t taint her with her own mess.

“You didn’t seem to have the same qualms when I came to you that night,” Rosie murmured.

“That was a mistake. We both agreed.”

“But what if it wasn’t?”

“I’m seeing someone,” Pearl blurted as Rosie stood on her toes.

The pressure on the back of Pearl’s neck eased. “What? Who?”

Why had Pearl said that? It wasn’t even true. A cowardly lie. “She’s not from here.”

“Oh. I just thought, after we danced at the wedding…?”

Shit. She’d been right to say no. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m surprised you remember the wedding at all, with how much you were drinking.” Rosie pulled entirely free of Pearl’s grasp, backing away a few steps.

“I know. I was outta line, not myself.”

“So you’re saying that’s the only reason you danced with me? The only reason you called me the most beautiful woman in the room, despite the bride being ten feet away?”

Pearl didn’t remember saying that. She was already screwing this up just trying to stop it. “No, that’s not why. You’re better off without me.” It was, if possible, a worse thing to say.

“You really are like everyone else in this town. You think you know me more than I know my mind?” Rosie rarely grew angry, but there was no mistaking the tremble in her voice.

“I didn’t…”

“You genuinely think you’re a bad person, don’t you?”

Pearl swallowed. More gritty dust had worked its way into her nose and mouth. “Well, I’m sure as hells not good.”

“You’re so arrogantly wrong sometimes.”

“Now you’re the one who thinks you know about me? I’m a selfish person, Rosie. We both know that.”

“No.” Rosie moved away, her words almost lost. “What you are, Pearl, is highly infuriating. And tragically careless, but not how you think. Best of luck to your woman.”