Page 8 of Nocere

Ainsley and Jordan bustled about to get everyone drinks and settle them in comfortably. Alice sat to my left, with Stella on hers, and Samirah to my right with the others directly across.

"You guys could've bailed, Stell. We would've dealt with it," said Jordan as she offered her a glass of wine. "Care to indulge or are we still on breastfeeding abstinence?"

"No more breastfeeding. If our kid can eat pizza, she's not suckling my nips anymore," Alice blurted out and it made us laugh. "They're saggy enough."

"They are not." Stella swatted her from around Luna then addressed the clingy girl. "Sweetie, Auntie Jordan has your favorites. Look."

Luna peeked up and the moment she saw the cheese on the table, she reached for it. No one stopped her and Jordan beamed with pride.

"I knew she'd want that brie."

"My three-year-old is a cheese snob," said Alice. "I blame her mother for her rich palette."

"Well, you all seem like a load of fun," said Samirah, her eyes nearly twinkling in the light of the chandelier.

"So, how do you two know each other?" Ainsley asked, gesturing between Samirah and Stella. "I already know how I know her."

"From meeting her cat?" Jordan scoffed and I shared a laugh with her.

"No." Ainsley narrowed her eyes at Jordan. "She knows my mom from work. And me from my busy-body days."

"She is correct on all accounts except I don't have a cat." Samirah helped herself to a piece of pepperoni. "And you're still a busy-body, Ainsley. That hasn't changed."

"Not in the least," she chirped, grinning after.

"How's work for you, Rose?" asked Alice. "You look good, by the way. Your hair got long."

"Thanks. Work is good. Busy, but Walsh listens to what I have to say. It's a meaningful position," I said, my fingers gripping the hem of my sweater when my nerves kicked in again under the attention.

"Of course. You've always been a strong analyst," said Alice, her brow furrowed. "Did someone not treat you well there?"

"No, not really. Sadie is harsh sometimes, but I understand why."

"She can be a know-it-all bitc—" Alice grunted when Stella elbowed her. "Bitcoin."

I laughed and nodded my agreement.

Rounds of small talk and catching up followed, and I found my attention fading in and out at times. Luna drew my focus as her grumpiness seemed to slink away while she bit into a hunk of cantaloupe. Stella brushed her hair from her face now that the girl sat facing the table, and gathered it in a loose ponytail. The two of them looked quite alike. Luna caught my gaze and smiled as she tilted her head to the side. She waved at me with the hand that held her melon. I waved back with a chuckle.

"Do you have kids?" asked Samirah, drawing my attention to her. I'd almost forgotten she sat beside me for a moment and it startled me.

I shook my head, glancing from Luna to her. "No, but that one sure is cute."

"She is." Samirah's smile broadened and her gaze lingered on mine long enough to tighten my throat with a gulp.

"Do you have kids?"

"I don't. But I believe anyone who does is a goddamn hero." She lifted her wine glass in salute before taking a sip.

"Agreed."

Alice continued to stroke Stella's hair, doting on her in turn with making sure she had plenty to eat. It was the cutest thing to see, second only to the way Luna called them Moms when talking to them at the same time.

"Moms, I can have more watermelon?" she asked, and it made me smile.

"So what happened at work that you both look about ready to pass out?" asked Ainsley, glancing between Stella and Samirah.

"My shift was about to end this morning when a flood of injuries came into the E.R. after a bus accident. I ended up hanging back," answered Stella. "Sam is staying with us for the weekend while she closes on her condo this Monday, so I dragged her along."

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