Page 103 of Nocere

"I'm not yelling!"

"You are yelling!" Rebecca tossed back.

Alex melted in her chair in a fit of hysterics and Samirah wasn't a beat behind.

"Oh my God," I blurted while they battled it out. When Steve swatted Jason upside the head, it was all over. I cracked up and the shouting continued.

Samirah's amusement over the situation sprung joy from her formerly diminished appearance. I supposed witnessing lunacy firsthand nixes any anxiety over meeting someone's family. For the rest of the night, we all shared conversation, more bickering, and heaps of food. By the time we made it to dessert, with decadent sweets in quantities large enough to feed a soccer team, everyone settled down to a casual lull. Jason and Steve took their full bellies to the living room and both of them nodded off in record time. The rest of us sat at the table, sipping on coffee and continuing to indulge in sweets. I helped myself to another brownie to top off the three pieces of pie that followed dinner.

"I'm really glad you came tonight, girls," said Rebecca after setting down her mug. "And it was lovely to have you, Samirah. Rosie has never brought anyone home for us to meet. You must be extra special." The way she addressed Sam warmed my insides and I snaked my arm around her.

"She is," I said, nodding.

"I agree. Rosie trusts her. She doesn't trust anyone, which is why she hasn't brought anyone home," piped Alex.

"Hey." I scowled at her and she snickered.

Samirah gave my arm a squeeze and kissed my cheek. "Rosie's the special one. And I trust her, too."

Sam's declaration sent shivers down my spine and I wrapped her in a hug. She rubbed my back and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. I glanced to Rebecca and Alex, who shared a smile before returning their attention to us.

"Are you all staying here tonight or heading home?" asked Rebecca finally.

"Jason wants me to stay and play Fortnite with him," said Alex. "Is that okay?"

"Always, topolina." Rebecca reached over and pinched Alex's cheek. "The guestroom is all ready." Alex turned bright red and slouched in her chair. She adored Rebecca's doting, but that didn't mean she wasn't shy about it.

Samirah chuckled when she heard the nickname and asked, "Do you have a nickname for Rosie? Little Mouse seems fitting for Alex."

"Bambolina at first." Rebecca smiled at me. "Because she was the most precious, tiny little thing. Like a porcelain girl belonging in cherished glass. Then ragazza dolce."

"What's that mean?" asked Alex. I already knew by then.

"Little doll," answered Samirah, now wrapping her arm around my middle while I leaned back against her.

"You speak Italian fluently?" Rebecca asked Sam, her brow furrowed.

"Yes. Spanish, French, and Arabic as well." Sam's palm flattened against my stomach and I rubbed her arm from wrist to elbow. My body relaxed against her and Alex wagged her brows at me while crunching on a cookie.

Rebecca began speaking to Samirah in full-on Italian. The two of them carried on a conversation that Alex and I couldn't even fathom. We watched the exchange, and the way their expressions changed with it. Samirah's hold on me tightened and Rebecca reached over to run her hand over my head before handing me another cookie. I accepted it, though couldn't help wondering what they were talking about. Rebecca repeated the gesture and handed Alex a cookie as well.

"Whatever's happening ends with us getting extra cookies." Alex bit into the gingerbread person while snickering.

"No complaints." I nibbled on mine while listening to them.

They carried on for minutes, Rebecca gesturing wildly, her passion evident. Samirah's movements weren't as dramatic, and when the conversation ended, both of their gazes fell on me.

"Secret language time over?" I asked as I glanced between them.

"For now." Rebecca smiled at me. "Are you going to stay, sweetie?"

"I don't think so."

"I changed the sheets on your bed just in case."

"Thanks." A blush fell over me and Rebecca chuckled.

"You have a room here?" asked Sam, her eyes twinkling with playfulness.

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