Page 4 of Nocere

What say ye, my darling friend?

I'm not sure…

Open the door.

What?

I glanced at the front door to my loft. A sharp, rhythmic knock sounded and I bustled over to yank it open.

Ainsley stood there, her hands held palm up beside her shoulders as she struck a pose in the hall. "Ta-da."

"Ainsley, what are you doing?"

"My girlfriend has this motto," she said, sweeping in without my invitation. The hem of her pretty tunic fluttered behind her.

"What's that?" I closed the door as I folded my arms over my middle. Ainsley sauntered around my tiny space, taking a lap around the coffee table before leaning on the arm of the sofa. "Also, I'm not wearing any pants."

"Oh, who cares. I'm not wearing a bra." She waved me off. "Anyway, Jordan says, 'sometimes there are people in our lives that we care about who struggle to see what they're capable of.'"

"What do you mean?" My brow furrowed and I tugged my sweatshirt tighter around me when I came to stand beside her.

"She also says that sometimes it's our responsibility as a friend to give those friends a little nudge."

"Okay…" Nervousness continued to twist my stomach, so I tucked my hair behind my ear in an effort to dispense with the extra energy. "So, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying… Ta-da!" She posed herself as before, kicking one foot back so the tip of her boot thunked against the carpet. "I'm a nudge."

A laugh escaped me and I nodded my agreement. "That you are."

"It wasn't supposed to be funny." Ainsley snickered and hopped to stand in front of me. Both of her hands fell to my elbows and I tensed under her sudden touch. "I would really like you to come to dinner tonight, so I'm here to escort you."

"Ainsley, I really...I don't know. I don't have anything to wear and—"

Her expression fell so suddenly that I worried I'd said something wrong. "Rosie...no one cares what you wear. Jordan will probably be half naked before dessert."

"Yeah, but I-I don't fit in. Your friends are doctors and business owners and I'm—"

"Someone who analyzes crime and provides risk assessments in order to keep our families safe every day?" Ainsley's grip on my elbows relaxed and she slid her hands down to hold mine. "Rosie…you're important to me as you are. You're my friend. You're my friend, for who you are."

A swell of emotion struck me and I searched her expression. Her eyes, soft and doe-like, spoke of the passion in her statement, though part of me still worried about her sincerity.

"I'm sorry, I just—"

"It's okay." Ainsley's entire demeanor shifted from silly to serious in a heartbeat. "Come sit with me."

"Okay." I let her lead me to the sofa as I swiped at the stray tear that managed to escape, hoping she didn't see it.

"I didn't know how difficult this was for you and I'm sorry for being pushy. Sometimes I get excited," she said, her voice soft.

"It's not difficult. It's just…" I drew in a deep breath, and she offered me a small smile.

"Difficult."

"Yeah. I don't have many friends. I'm used to keeping to myself."

"I know. That's why I'm the nudge. Jordan and I really enjoyed your company when you came to lunch for my birthday. Alex speaks fondly of you, and some of the girls are interested in meeting you. Jordan collects lesbians, so we're in the mood to recruit."

I couldn't help but laugh at the notion. "She doesn't."

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