The Perfect Holiday

“Oh, god,” I said, blushing hotly and covering my face with both hands. “I really screwed up, didn’t I? I made such an idiot of myself.”

“No,” Alex said firmly. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Molly. Rob never should have said that stuff to you.” He shook his head and groaned. “I don’t even know if it’s true, but don’t worry about it, okay?”

I shivered. “It makes me feel weird,” I said. “I can’t…I don’t want to believe it,” I added firmly. “How am I supposed to act around her now?”

Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. I probably wouldn’t bring it up. But it explains a lot. She’s obviously jealous,” he said. “And she probably didn’t really think you and I would wind up together, and she probably didn’t think you’d get a boyfriend.”

I frowned. “Yeah,” I said. I didn’t like to admit it, but Alex was totally right.

“Are you feeling better? I’ve got to head into the firehouse,” Alex said. “I just don’t want to leave without knowing you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said. “Thanks, though.”

Alex nodded. He grinned and kissed me. “I love you,” he said. “Call me if anything comes up, okay?”

I nodded. “I will.”

Alex kissed me once more, then left. I lay in bed and listened to the sound of his footsteps fading on the walk outside. As soon as he was gone, I missed him. I wanted him back – I wanted to wrap my arms around him and never let go. Stop it, Molly, I told myself. You’re getting obsessed, and that’s not a good thing. You can’t be so clingy, you’ll completely drive him away.

With a sigh, I flopped back against the pillows and closed my eyes. I was exhausted, and honestly, I didn’t feel like going into the living room just in case Rebecca was home. I had no idea how I was going to confront her! Was I supposed to just ask her to come out and spill the truth? Or what?

I yawned and snuggled deeper in the covers. I’ll just sleep for a little while, I thought. And when I wake up, maybe I’ll have a better idea of what to do.

Hours later, I woke up. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes, yawning. I felt groggy and dehydrated. It was dark outside – my phone told me that it was after nine-thirty, well into Alex’s shift at the firehouse.

I decided to get up and make myself a late dinner. Pulling my robe on ov

er my clothes, I put my hair up in a sloppy bun and walked out to the kitchen. To my shock, Rebecca was sitting at the table with a bowl of pasta.

“Hi, Molly,” Rebecca said. “How are you?”

I bit my lip and sat down. “Not great,” I said. “I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Rebecca said. “Are things with Alex not going well?” I frowned – she almost looked happy as she asked.

“No, they’re good,” I said. “He brought me by the firehouse earlier to meet all of the guys.”

“Were they nice?”

I shrugged. “Yeah,” I said. “They were fine. That’s not what I want to talk about, though.”

“Oh, want some pasta? I made tons, it’s still on the stove,” Rebecca said.

I sighed. “Becks, this is serious,” I said. “Please, don’t derail me.”

Rebecca frowned.

“Do you have feelings for me?” I asked gently, trying to keep my voice low and non-accusatory. “Please be honest.”

Rebecca burst out laughing. “Molly, no! Who put that idea in your head? Was it Alex? I’ll kill him,” she added, muttering under her breath.

“No,” I said shakily. “It wasn’t Alex, although he did tell me that he saw you go into a gay club. He followed you inside and saw you dancing with and kissing a woman. A woman who…” I trailed off nervously, biting my lip. “A woman who looked like me,” I finished softly.

Rebecca looked like I’d slapped her in the face.

“Rob told me,” I continued. “And Rebecca, it’s fine, really. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I never noticed. I never picked up on the signals. And I’m straight,” I added quietly. “But it doesn’t bother me that you’re gay.”

Rebecca’s face turned from pale white to crimson red. “Molly,” she said slowly, shaking her head. “That’s crazy.”