Page 142 of Solanum

"Sometimes I wonder what it's like to cook," I said, sighing dramatically after. "I used to cook more."

"You used to tease me about not having any food in my fridge." Nora shoved me before kneeling down at the coffee table to unpack the bags with me.

I laughed and shoved her right back, albeit gently. "I think I teased you more about pulling dirty panties out from between the sofa cushions."

"Oh, I remember those days of Nora." Anita chuckled and accepted the sandwich I handed her. She sat on the edge of the sofa and perched it on her knees while unwrapping it. "A flighty little whirlwind turned into extreme organization and minimalism."

Nora smiled while opening a bag of chips to pour out beside her thick roast beef sandwich. I ran my fingers through her hair, and she kissed my hand. "So minimal that I don't even live anywhere. I'm effectively homeless."

"You are not," I said straightaway. "You live with me and we both cohabitate with Sali and Maggie."

She smiled at me from around her bite of sandwich, then answered me after a few hearty chews. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, honey." I tucked her hair behind her ear. "We should file your address change though…"

She nodded and scooted closer to lean against me, her bare feet poking at Anita's ankles enough to pester her. "I don't get any mail."

"You do," I said, kissing her cheek in between bites. "I pick it up at the post office."

"Really?" Her brow furrowed and she glanced between us.

Anita smiled while listening to us, quietly eating like even the simplest meal meant dainty fingers and popped pinkies. "She takes good care of you, Nor."

"Yeah." Nora's eyes lingered on mine for a moment. She stole another bite then leaned her head on my shoulder when I wrapped my arm around her. "She does."

"I've cut back my work hours officially," said Anita. "So when Caroline goes back to work, you can stay with me when she travels or with Maggie and Sali. Whichever feels best to you."

Nora nodded as the conversation angled toward the more serious. "Okay. I'm thinking of going back part-time for a little while…"

"If you feel comfortable doing that, then do it. If not, then don't. Sometimes it takes some experimenting to know our limits," Anita said, again with tones of diplomacy.

"I want to just enjoy the time we have left with both of us not working," said Nora, glancing between us. "Did either of you get a text from Jordan?"

"I did." I nodded while pouring out more chips. "Party this weekend at the Mermaid Salon. That's the second invitation we've gotten this week."

"What's the other one?" Nora's brows flicked upward.

"Sami told me that a mutual friend is hosting a munch tomorrow night at his restaurant," I said.

"A what now?" Anita glanced between us.

"A social gathering of people involved with BDSM. Our mutual friend, Owen, hosts them at his barbeque place. Really casual and vanilla. I haven't gone in a while, but now might be a nice time." I rubbed Nora's back and she perked up, interest brightening her eyes.

"Just social?" she asked.

"Yes. Not a play party. Just a hang out, but you go in knowing that everyone there shares your views. Some folks are lifestylers, most aren't," I said.

"I feel like I need a dictionary to join this conversation," Anita said, chuckling. "What are lifestylers?"

"People who live BDSM relationships twenty-four-seven. Not just in scene," I answered, smirking and waving at her lap. "Get the notebook, Neets."

They both laughed and Nora set aside the second half of her sandwich to unveil the tin of fudgy brownies. She scooped one out and took a heaping bite. Her eyes rolled back dramatically, and she fluttered her lashes. "Oh my God. So good."

"They look good," said Anita, also opting to forgo the last of her food for chocolate. She used a fork to scoop one out, unlike my eager girl, and stole a delicate bite. "She is not wrong. Wow."

Nora grinned and held out hers to me. "Taste."

"Yum. Brownies and chicken mixed together." I bit it anyway and grinned. "Very yummy."

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