Page 171 of Nocere

Chapter Twenty

"Why are all your clothes so fucking adorable? Look at these cute dresses," Sam asked while she plucked through my closet.

I laughed while watching her from my perch on the bed.

"Blame Rebecca for the dresses. She loves buying me stuff and her style is amazing." I leaned back on my elbows, grinning while enjoying her amusement. "Want to play dress up with me?" I wagged my brows at her and she nodded.

"Yes. Can I dress you?" She chuckled, clutching her hands to her chest. "It can be our new kink."

"I won't hate it at all." I nodded my agreement and watched her as she thumbed through a few of the dresses. I did, indeed, love my wardrobe. It gave me a means to be myself whenever I felt like the world treated me as a throw-away. Wearing something nice or stylish made me feel like I had meaning or belonged.

We spent the early morning at my apartment, where I cooked us breakfast, and then shared time tangled on my tiny sofa while watching the news. Having a girlfriend with as much insomnia as me surely paid off at times. It quickly became our routine, to spend Wednesday and Thursday nights at my place when I had to work the next day and Sam didn't. Alex came and went sometimes, though her growing connection with Sara kept her away often.

Sam picked out my black A-line dress with the white collar that made me look like a mildly attractive Puritan. Coupled with heeled Oxford shoes and my hair down, I folded my arms as I tapped my foot at her when I returned to the living room. Her face lit up with the most wicked grin ever.

"You think this is funny, do you? I look like a school teacher."

"A totally fucking bangable school teacher. Somebody get me a desk, stat." She grabbed me into a kiss and spun me in a circle. My laughter ended it quickly, and I laced my fingers behind her neck while she held my waist.

"So naughty…" I toyed with the hair at the base of her neck. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Whatever you want." She smiled and kissed the end of my nose. "Have you ever gone dancing?"

"I have not," I said, and she swayed with me as if we did just that. "I've lived a pretty narrow life."

"Would you go dancing? There would be a lot of people, but I would hold you like this the whole time…"

"Sami, I'm beginning to think I'd go anywhere with you," I confessed and it brought a smile to her lips.

"That makes me happy to hear, baby." She pressed her lips to mine and I lost myself in her for a moment, allowing myself to melt into the affection.

"I'm very grateful for you." I cupped her face and she kissed my thumb.

"Right back at you," she said, and grabbed me into a playful dip. I squealed and it made us both laugh. "So cute, Rosie."

"I'm not wearing purple socks. Am I still your little fairy?"

"You'll always be my little fairy. Even if you're dressed like a sexy school teacher." She swatted my rear and I wagged my brows at her.

A knock on the front door sounded and my breath hitched. Sam's brow furrowed and she asked, "Expecting someone?"

"Not at eight-thirty in the morning. Rebecca and Alex have keys…"

"Let me get it. Stay right here." She released my waist, but I panicked at the last second and grabbed her hand.

"No. Don't get it." I dug my heels in and she squeezed my hand.

"Easy, honey. Let's look through the peephole at least.

I nodded, and stuck extremely close to her. She looked through first, then allowed me to do it. A blonde woman stood on the other side, and I wondered if she might've been a neighbor.

"Don't know who that is," I whispered and she nodded.

A second knock followed, quieter than the first, and Sam released the chain. I helped her unlock it, and she kept a tight hold on my hand when we opened the door together.

The woman, who I noted to be the same height as me, met our gazes one after the other and smiled. She wore casual jeans, a pink sweater, and an overcoat that told me she must've arrived here off the street rather than down the hall. Sam cocked a brow at the woman and glanced at me before she said, "How can we help you?"

"Hello," she said, her voice soft behind a nervous smile. "I'm sorry to bother you so early, but I'm looking for Rose Bryant." Her eyes fell on me right away as if she already knew. I noted then that she clutched some paper in her hands and a worn envelope.

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