Page 97 of Nocere

"Gross." I laughed at her and she grinned. "Did you eat today?"

"Not really. It was busy at Jordan's because she's going away."

"Who's in charge?"

"Cin and Grace for the most part." Alex gulped down another bite. "I thought you were staying at Sam's tonight. I totally forgot about the pies."

"I forgot to tell Sam I wasn't so you're not alone." I winked at Samirah who wagged her brows at me while licking the last bite from her spoon.

"I'm not complaining. This treat was amazing."

"Oh, yeah. And I can't wait for tomorrow. Rebecca feeds us up good," said Alex.

"She does," I agreed. "Is Sara coming over tonight?"

"No, she's with her family. Might see her tomorrow night though."

"So...are you official or what?" I set my empty bowl down on the coffee table beside Sam's. She turned in her seat to wrap her arm around me and I snuggled up against her.

"We're definitely seriously dating. Nothing exclusive yet." Alex glanced between the two of us. "Unlike you two cuties."

"Why not exclusive? How long have you been dating?" asked Sam as she squeezed me tighter and smooched my cheek. I smiled under her affection and snuggled against her.

"A few weeks."

"Slowest moving lesbians ever. Why haven't you asked her?" Sam continued to press and it made me grin to watch her in action.

"Um…" Alex gulped down her bite. "What if she says no? I don't want to scare off a good thing."

"You're going to lose a good thing if you don't make a move," said Sam.

"Who made the move with you two— Never mind. Why am I even asking? Rosie doesn't move anywhere." Alex snickered and I flipped her off.

"You're wrong," I spat, though I couldn't contain my laughter at the lie.

"Well, she makes moves in one place for sure." Sam grinned at me and nibbled my cheek.

"Ooh-la-la. Kinky girls." Alex wagged her brows again and I covered my face.

"You know it." Sam's smile nearly beamed at that point. Her warmth toward Alex settled something inside me and erased any doubts I had about integrating her into my life.

"I'm having more." Alex finished her last bite and sighed sadly. "That was so yummy."

"Al, eat real food. There's stuff in the fridge."

"That's yours…" She set her bowl down on the table as well.

"So? Just eat it."

"It's okay." Immediately, her anxiety tightened her posture and cooled her demeanor, quelling her silliness.

"C'mon. I'm not bad off for food, Alex. There's a rotisserie chicken and potatoes that I just picked up at the store. Eat it."

"No, Rosie. It's for you." Alex shook her head.

Sam glanced between the two of us, her brows narrowing with concern as she watched our ping-pong match.

"It was, but not now. Sam and I skipped dinner for dessert. And I'm pretty sure we both had breakfast and lunch, which I know you've had neither." My tone came across somewhat scoldingly and Alex glanced to the fridge.

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