Page 188 of Nocere

"Surreal. How's your mom? Did you see her today?"

She nodded, though her expression dimmed slightly. "She's good."

"Was your uncle there?" I pressed and she nodded again. "Are you okay, Sami?" Again, she nodded and I watched her happiness fade. "Tell me what he said to you."

"I don't want to, honey. I would rather have a good night with you and forget it."

"Sam." I turned in my seat a bit. "Forgetting never works. I've seen the toll it takes on you. And I want a new rule."

"What rule?" Her brow furrowed.

"That I go with you to visit your mom."

"No, Rosie. You have to work…"

"I can flex my hours or we can go after work for dinner instead of lunch."

She grew quiet for a little then said, "Mom threw a biscuit at him this time at least."

"Did she?" I smirked as I imagined it. "That's new."

"It is. I don't wear hijab anymore and he thinks it's disrespectful and told me I deserved what I got." She glanced at me, the light in her eyes fading. "As if he knew."

"Does he?" I stroked her arm and she shook her head.

"No. I guess he meant to say I deserved whatever consequences came from not wearing it. Old beliefs…"

"Understood. You know you didn't deserve what happened to you, Sam, right?"

"I know it. Sometimes I don't feel it though. Like when he says things."

"I'm punching him in the face next time I see him." I frowned and let out a huff. "It's settled."

Sam laughed a bit. "I'd love to see you punch a seventy-year-old man."

"It'll probably be poorly timed since he doesn't speak English around me on purpose…"

"True, but worth it."

"Totally."

We arrived at Ainsley's only to be greeted by both her and Jordan right away. Stella and Alice showed up five minutes behind us, kidless and smiling. Hugs and kisses found their way through pleasantries and greetings before the six of us headed for the living room. Sam pulled me into her lap before I made to sit on the sofa beside her. I grinned and tucked myself up close to her as she hugged me.

"So tiny," she said while nipping at my cheek.

"She is," agreed Stella as she headed back to us with a glass of wine in each hand.

"Hey, don't pick on Rosie. Maybe she doesn't like being called tiny," defended Alice, her gaze on me.

"It's okay. I like being small," I said, and tucked my knees up to my chest. Sam wrapped her arm around them without skipping a beat.

"Why?" asked Alice, accepting the glass of wine that Stella offered her.

"Because Sam can lift me up easily." I grinned at her and she chuckled.

"You do love that, don't you?"

"I do."

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