Page 63 of Nocere

Chapter Nine

We settled down together and though I didn't sleep, Samirah drifted into a semi-restless doze for about an hour. I cuddled with her, stroking her hair and letting her recuperate from the stress of the day. To say that I didn't expect her visit and the emotions that came with it wouldn't do the situation justice. Up until today, Sam presented as a brazen, bold personality. I didn't anticipate her vulnerabilities or how she handled them. It worried me more about my own ability to be what she needed in a relationship. We were so new and I didn't want to mess it all up.

When Sam awoke, we readied ourselves to head to Ainsley's house. Alex and Sam waited for me while I showered and dressed in a suitable outfit. I found them seated together on the sofa, Alex in her usual torn skinny jeans, combat boots, and bomber jacket. Her style, coupled with her reddish-brown shoulder-length hair, always made her look younger, in my opinion anyway.

"You look so cute, Rosie," said Sam, holding her hand to me when I joined them.

"Thank you." My cheeks heated as I took her hand.

"She has cute styles, doesn't she? This chic nerdy girl is my favorite." Alex grinned at me as she finished tying her boot.

"It's just a skirt and sweater…" I leaned into Sam when she stood up and slipped her arm around my waist.

She placed a swift kiss on my temple.

"I like when you wear skirts," she whispered and it made me smile.

"We better go if we're going to catch the bus, Rosie." Alex hopped up and grabbed her purse from the armchair.

"I drove here. We can all go together," offered Sam.

"Are you sure?" Alex glanced between the two of us.

"Of course." Sam's gaze flickered between the two of us. "You're a little alike, I've noticed."

"Alex taught me how to be gay." I gestured in her direction before scooping my keys up from the table.

Samirah's eyes widened and she cocked a brow at Alex.

"Not like that!" Alex laughed, holding her hands up in a gesture of surrender. "We were in the same group home then foster home when we were teenagers. We never hooked up."

"I was going to say…" Sam poked my side and I chuckled.

"Everyone always asks why we don't date. She's like my sister. It's weird." I scrunched up my nose and Alex nodded her agreement.

"Well then, sisters, let's get going." Samirah grinned as she tossed her arm around my waist again, then held her free hand out to Alex. Alex took her hand seemingly without thinking then paused, her eyes widening.

"I forgot to mention that Sam is rather bold." I led them out the door, then locked up when we were in the hall.

"Sounds like Ainsley's warning label," said Sam, snickering as we headed to her car.

Cars filled Ainsley's driveway and lined the street in front of her house. Alex hurried inside, but Sam and I remained on the front walkway. I looked up at her and she stroked her thumb over the curve of my jaw.

"Have you come to these parties before?"

"Once. When I realized how many people they have, I never came back. It's overwhelming. I like smaller parties like when I met you," I told her, and she took my hand in hers.

"What makes them overwhelming?"

"I just never know what to do. What to say. I don't have anything in common with anyone other than being gay." I squeezed her hand and let out a soft sigh. "Wildrose is easier because it's not intimate at all."

"Understandable. How about this?" She turned to face me, taking both of my hands in hers. "You follow my lead and I'll help you figure out what to do and say, okay?"

"Okay." I squeezed her hands and drew in a deep breath. Sam's smile broadened and she released me to tug at the collar of my shirt that sat on top of my sweater. "This is the first time I'm going to anything with a girlfriend, too."

"It might make things a little easier." She gave my collar a second tug before leaning in to kiss me. Her passion brought me to my toes and immediately set alight the unsated burn in my belly. "Mmm." She grinned and brushed her nose against mine. "Coming over after?"

"Yes." My teeth chattered and I draped my arms over her shoulders. "Definitely."

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