Page 194 of Nocere

Juni laughed and shook Sali's hand when she extended it. "Pleasure, perhaps."

"Probably not. Are you two twins?" Sali's demeanor cooled off right away and I made for the baby to place a soft kiss on her forehead. She grunted and her hands balled to little fists. Her cuteness brought a smile to my face in an instant.

"We're not, but we get that a lot," Juni said, then let me sit by the baby before she scooted into the booth as well, leaving Sali alone on the other side.

"I can see why." Sali's gaze fell to my niece. "What's her name?"

"Lily Rose." Juni smiled, then stroked my hair once. "After her auntie."

"Will it disturb her if I hold her?" I asked after slipping out of my jacket and setting my purse aside.

"Nope. She'll love it." Juni helped me unfasten the car seat straps and I lifted Lily to my chest. She settled with her head under my chin, and I about melted inside.

To my surprise, Sali wore a soft smile while she watched us, and she didn't act like an asshole for a whole ten minutes in a row. We placed our orders, all three of us choosing burgers and fries, though Sali added a strawberry milkshake to hers, and Juni held the conversation together like always. I basked under the glory of the warm little body in my arms that recognized me as her aunt, as her family, and that still baffled me at times.

"How's Sebastian doing in preschool?" I asked and Juni smiled right away.

"He loves it. It gives me a nice break, too. I'm dreading going back to work in a few weeks."

"At least people you trust will be looking after Lily," I said.

Sali sat quietly, listening to us as if she was almost normal. Until she opened a packet of sugar and made to pour it in the salt shaker. I grabbed it out of her hand before she could do so, while cradling the baby to my chest.

"It's good to have retired parents," Juni said, chuckling at Sali's antics. "So, how long have you two been working together?"

"About two months," answered Sali, propping her knees against the table when she slouched. "She's sick of me."

Juni's laughter continued when she looked at me.

"She's right. I am."

"Rosie, that's terrible." She swatted my elbow with as much caution as if I were made of glass. "Why are you sick of her?"

"Because she's a bossy, overbearing, incorrigible nutcase with a fouler mouth than any truck driver I've ever met." I let it all hang out and Juni burst out laughing.

Sali narrowed her brows at me, but our burgers arriving interrupted her death stare. She tore into a fry, and continued to glare at me.

"Why aren't you insulting me right now?" I asked, chuckling. "Because Juni is here?"

"No. I'll insult both of you when I'm sated." She lifted her burger and took heaping bite.

"She's entertaining." Juni snickered while eating. "You're a natural with Lily, Rosie." She nodded in my direction while I nibbled my burger in one hand and cradled the baby at the same time.

"Practice. At the group homes, there were always kids. Instinct like that never leaves you," I said.

Juni reached over and rubbed my back in an affectionate circle.

"You both grew up in group homes?" asked Sali, glancing between us.

"No, just me," I said.

"I got adopted. We were separated." Juni's affection never ceased and I leaned into it. It took me a while to stop over thinking her closeness. Sometimes, when her skin touched mine, I found myself lost in inner dialogue about our blood connection and similar flesh. Knowing she was my relative, my kin, was still new.

"I'm sorry," offered Sali, her brow furrowed. "That sucks."

"We're okay now," I said with a smile. "I went from no family to a giant family and we're happy."

"Do you have a large family?" asked Juni.

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