Page 2 of Nocere

"Understandable. You'll meet someone eventually, Rosie. When you're ready," she said, patting my hand again.

"You're always kind to me, Ainsley. Thank you."

"You're easy to be kind to. Tomorrow night, Jordan and I are having a few friends over. Will you come?"

I shook my head right away. "No. I don't think so. I don't like parties. Thank you, though."

"This time it isn't a party. Just us and our friends, Alice and Stella. They're bringing their daughters. It's just dinner."

"Maybe…" I glanced out the window at the busy streets and watched the cars stopped in traffic. Taxis stood out among the fray, and people crowded the streets with feet in hurried tenure.

"Rosie." Her voice beckoned me and I looked back to her. "I'll pick you up if you like."

"It's okay." I leaned away from the table so the returning server could set down my salad. Ainsley's posture mirrored mine when he placed a burger in front of her.

"I promise, it's just the four of us and the kids. Think about it?"

"I will."

We tucked into our meal and my mind continued to race. A part of me wanted to go to Ainsley's dinner. The last time I went it was a nice time. Today for some reason, making the commitment proved difficult.

As always, Ainsley allowed me the quiet moment to consider her offer while we settled into our lunches.

When I returned my attention to her, she asked, "How's Rebecca?"

"She's good. I had dinner with her on Sunday and my foster brother. I can't believe he's twenty-two already."

"He's at U.W. for school, right?"

"Yup. Studying criminal justice like I did. Rebecca had a strong influence on us." I smiled at the notion and Ainsley chuckled.

"Maybe he'll turn out to be an intelligence analyst, too."

"Or perhaps a medical examiner if he angles toward med school." I nodded in her direction. "He was entranced by you when he met you. I gave him some of your research papers to read and he loved them."

"I love that little nerd. He's the sweetest," she said, grinning around a bite of fries.

"He is." I chuckled when I thought of Jason and his dedication to his studies.

"How is Alex doing now that she's finally broken it off with Frankie?" asked Ainsley. "I haven't seen her lately."

"She's good. We had dinner last night after work. She hasn't been at the salon?"

"She has, but I haven't much lately. Jordan's been coming right home after work instead of us philandering in the apartment above." Ainsley's smile broadened. "It's been great."

"The two of you are super cute even after all this time together. Do you ever go to Wildrose?"

"We do. Not as often as we used to, but a few times a month. I bet you Alex has been hanging out there, celebrating her new freedom."

"I'm sure she has," I said, finishing off the last of the grilled chicken on my salad.

"How come the two of you never got together?"

"We've been friends for a long time. And I don't feel that way about her. Never have. We're like sisters."

"She isn't your type, so to speak?"

"I'm not sure I have a type. She and I are quite similar at times, and I don't think I'd like dating myself."

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