Page 22 of Nocere

Chapter Four

I spent most of my work days that week buried in case files from sex crimes. Stiles checked in on me twice and added another box. Sadie left me alone for the most part, and the time by myself simply focused on work soothed the chaotic feelings that bounced around inside me. Alex ended up staying with me longer than expected, and I hadn't spoken to Jordan or Ainsley as I told Samirah I would. I wanted to, but the thought of confrontation bothered me.

Thursday evening rolled around, and I texted Alex to remind her I wouldn't be home after work. I made my way to Starbucks as promised, half an hour early, and while standing outside, I thought about bailing. Truly considered walking off down the street and never looking back. What was I even doing there?

"Are you planning to run off on me?" Samirah's voice startled me and I jumped, gripping my purse close to my chest.

"N-no."

She laughed, her hand falling to my forearm. "Hi, Rose."

"Hi." The moment she touched me, my anxiety quelled, and I took note of her overwhelmingly beautiful presence. She didn't wear scrubs or hiking clothes. Instead, her black-on-black jeans and blouse combo stole my attention the way it wrapped her fit frame. Her hair, down almost to her waist, drew my attention from where her hand gripped me, up to her uniquely hazel eyes. She was, more than I'd noticed previously, beautiful.

"I didn't mean to scare you," she said, her voice soft. "Will you have coffee with me?"

I nodded and she ushered me into the store. Customers occupied a few tables and the comfortable big chairs by the front window, so Samirah led me to an empty table off to the side service counter.

"What would you like?" she asked, setting her purse down on the chair when I hooked mine over the back of another.

"Um...a latte? I can get it."

"It's okay. I'll put our orders in. You're sure that you'd like a latte?" she asked, her brows furrowing under her thick side-swept bangs.

"I'm sure." I nodded and sat down when she gestured to the table. "Thank you."

My nerves rattled around my stomach while I waited for her to return. A few of the uniformed officers from the precinct stopped in for coffee, but they didn't see me tucked away in the corner.

Samirah returned and set down the latte in front of me, and she gripped an iced drink that looked rather decadent.

"There you go," she said as she sat across from me.

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Of course. I appreciate you coming to talk to me."

I nodded again and sipped my drink before holding the warm cup in my palms. I didn't know what to say to her, and I kept my focus on the steam rising from the small opening in the lid.

"Rose," she said, reaching across the table to give my forearm a squeeze. "Are you okay?"

"You make me nervous," I blurted out.

"How come?"

"Because of what you said to me." I glanced at her.

"That you're cute?" She smiled and tilted her head to the side.

"Yeah," I said, gulping down the dry sensation in my mouth. I gripped my cup so tight that the lid popped right off and a splash of hot liquid hit the back of my hand. A gasp left me and I yanked my hand away as the snap of a brief burn lashed across my skin.

Samirah swept over to me, cupping my hands in hers with a slew of napkins. "Easy, let me see."

I choked on a sob, one born of embarrassment coupled with the lingering sting. My hands trembled as she wiped off my arm and sleeve, her eyes scanning my hand. "You're okay, Rose. A little welt, that's all."

I nodded as she turned my hand over to continue inspecting me. When she released me, her hand fell to the top of my head, holding me close to her while she piled some napkins on the small spill beside my cup. She fixed the lid, and then crouched in front of me, taking both of my hands in hers.

"All good?"

I cleared my throat, nodding as I looked down at my barely-blemished hand. "I'm sorry."

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