Page 19 of Nocere

We finished dinner, then stored the leftovers in the fridge before heading over to the sofa. Alex changed into pajamas and we fell into our usual ritual when we hung out. With blankets in our laps, beers in our palms, and classic movies on the television, we were set for the night.

"Quit squirming over there," I said, half way through our third episode of The L Word. "You're making me seasick."

Alex laughed and slouched into the cushions. "I can't. My clit is on fire."

"Ew. Do you have an STD?"

"No!" She smacked my foot and I laughed at her. "It's been like a month since I had sex."

"So?"

"I'm horny."

"Once again, I say, ew. Don't tell me that."

"Why? I'm going to masturbate on this sofa after you go to bed." Alex's fit of laughter had me pretending to die.

"Gross! Alex. C'mon."

"It's not gross, prude."

"It's gross if you tell me about it." My phone buzzed on the table and I swiped it to check my notifications for a welcome distraction. Alex continued to snicker while staring at the television.

I tapped the new text alert and saw the message box from Samirah pop up on the screen. I gulped when I saw the long blocked text and glanced at Alex to make sure she wasn't watching me.

Hi Rose. It's Sam. I know you're upset about what happened last weekend, and I take full responsibility for not being up front with you. I apologize for not telling you how I felt. I thought taking it slower was better and I was wrong about that. Jordan and Ainsley had nothing to do with it. Neither of them knew how I felt. Please don't write your friends off because of me. Again, I'm sorry.

I stared at my phone, and reread the message at least three times.

"What's so interesting?" said Alex, leaning over and nudging my shoulder.

"Nothing." I tugged my phone away from her and she huffed.

"C'mon. Who texted you?"

"No one."

"Liar! Rosie." She whined and grabbed at the phone.

"No. If I tell you, you'll blab." I lifted the phone above my head, and held her at bay with my feet. "Shoo."

"I promise I won't. Tell me."

"Do you swear? I won't talk to you anymore if you say something," I said, hugging my phone to my chest.

A wave of seriousness calmed Alex's silliness down. "I know, Rose. I've been your friend for fifteen years. I won't tell."

I met her gaze and her truth lingered in the strength of her stare. This wasn't the only secret of mine she held, and she'd made me that promise once before. No one ever found out and so, I decided to trust her. "Okay." I turned the phone around and showed her the text.

Her eyes darted back and forth across the screen, widening as she read it. "Oh my God." A soft smile curved her mouth and she leaned her elbow on the pillow beside me. "So what does this adorably text-verbose woman look like?"

"Long, dark hair. Sharp cheekbones, thick, pouty lips. Flawless bronze skin. Taller than me," I said, slouching in my seat. "She's an anesthesiologist."

"Shit, Rosie. She sounds amazing."

"She is. A little." I fiddled with my phone. "Or seems to be."

"Text her back."

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