Page 41 of Nocere

"Banana cream." She pointed to it. "And chocolate chip cookies to go with it."

"I'm going to get fat." I wagged my brows at her and she giggled.

"No way. You're a tiny thing." Jordan brought two more mugs to the table before sitting down with us.

"Am not. Ainsley and I are the same size." I helped myself to a cookie when Ainsley unwrapped the dish.

"The same height, my dear. Nothing else. Eat more cookies." She waved her hands at me and I laughed.

"We can't all have perfect asses like Jordan, and perky breasts like you." I scowled and they both laughed at me.

"Speaking of perfect asses and perky tits," said Jordan, dropping her elbows on the table with a thud. "Tell us about you and Sami."

My face nearly exploded at the insinuation and no doubt, I couldn't hide it. The two of them swooned, and let out noises of contentment.

"Aww, Rosie likes her," chirped Ainsley.

"I do. I like her a lot," I admitted, cupping my face to try and cool down my cheeks.

"Well, this is the best news ever because I hear she likes you, too. What about you, A? What did you hear?" Jordan nudged her girlfriend with her elbow.

"I hear that they've had approximately two-point-five dates, most of which ended with a kiss." Ainsley wagged her brows. "Is this fact or fiction, Rosie?"

"Fact." I smiled while taking a sip of coffee. "We have a lot in common."

"Oh yeah? Like what?" asked Jordan before she began cutting into the pie to serve us each a piece.

"We both like lesbian romance, both books and movies. She likes horror movies, too. We both like food and coffee more than necessary." I smiled when I thought of the pastry I shared with Samirah. "We're both affectionate. And like to cuddle."

"There was cuddling?" Ainsley nearly leapt from her seat. "This is an absolute news bulletin."

I laughed and shook my head at her. "Shh. Don't make me nervous."

"What else?" egged Jordan through her grin as she set the third piece of pie on a plate, then handed one to each of us.

"I really like talking to her. About anything. We've both been through a lot, and she makes me comfortable," I said, setting down my cookie to swap for pie. Jordan dug in readily which allowed Ainsley a chance to inquire.

"You both have been through more than your fair share," she said, her expression softening. "She told you about Spokane?"

"Um…" My stomach clenched and I gulped down my bite of food to buy some time. Sam said she hadn't told anyone except me and Marita. Did Ainsley find out on her own? "Yeah."

"What happened in Spokane?" asked Jordan, her brow furrowed.

"Samirah's mother lived in a largely Muslim community. Two white guys planned a mass shooting of their community center and stormed the place. Samirah was there visiting her mom. A few people were shot, but everyone survived. The police arrived on scene in record time and neutralized the suspects," said Ainsley, and I let out my breath when she shared what she knew.

"I vaguely remember you telling me that," said Jordan.

"She doesn't like to talk about it so don't bring it up." Ainsley licked a bit of pudding from her spoon. "I mean it, Jordy. She shuts down if you mention it."

"I can't imagine Sami being someone who shuts down. She's super bold."

"She is until that becomes a topic."

"Does Stella know?" asked Jordan, her smooth brow wrinkling with concern. I knew Jordan long enough to know that her worry meant she would fuss over Samirah's hair next time she saw her.

"She does, because when she came to our party that night when your shop got vandalized, Eve and Alice drew their weapons. It upset her. Samirah does not like guns of any kind." Ainsley looked to me, her expression serious. "I can't blame her."

"Me either," I said, my voice softening as I set down my spoon. It pained me to know the full reason why she didn't like guns, and my heart sank into my stomach for the moment.

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