Page 148 of Solanum

"Drinks are on the house, by the way," he said, motioning to our glasses.

"Now you tell us?" Samirah laughed and shook her head. "C'mon, man. That's a bad move and you know it."

"Let me correct." Owen leaned closer to her, glancing among us. "Drinks are on the house for you all. Not them." He winked and laughed as he headed back toward the bar.

I chuckled along with them and watched him go.

"I'm going to get tanked," announced Marley, letting out a dramatic sigh and propping her chin on her hand while she gazed at Samirah. "And you're going to take me home."

"Am I, Brat?" Samirah cocked a brow at her.

"Mhmm." Marley grinned, then sipped her drink again. "You know you want to."

"You know you want me to," she responded, her expression flattened to perfection.

"I do." Marley pouted and I laughed at her.

"Worst Brat ever. She gives in to you too easily," I said, and Sam chuckled.

Nora grew quieter beside me and plucked her menu up from the table to browse.

Folks began filling the space around us. Greetings passed between everyone, Samirah garnering the most attention with the women, of course. Nora watched people as they came and went, though I noted her posture tightened over time. She crossed her legs, leaned back in her chair, and rested her hands in her lap in almost an Anita-esque work-ready pose.

The volume kicked up a few notches as people socialized. I caught tidbits of conversations, but not much.

"Who's that cute little bowtie butch over there?" asked Marley, her eyes on someone at the farthest table in the corner where Raven sat.

"That's Jen," answered Samirah, returning her focus to Marley with yet another risen brow. "Are you looking for a new playmate tonight?"

"Maybe." Marley drew circles around the top of her glass. "You leave me too often."

"But darling…" Sam leaned forward, her nose an inch from Marley's. "You're not mine."

"Wow. That was a dick move." I kicked Sam's shin under the table. "Don't say that to her."

Marley laughed and shoved Sam's shoulder while she glowered at me.

"That hurt. Fuckin' A." Sam rubbed her leg but laughed anyway. "I was stating a fact, Caroline."

"It's okay, Car," said Marley, presently unmoved by Samirah's taunt. "I'm okay with it."

"I know, but still." I glanced to Nora and noted how her gaze scanned the room, and her expression became exceedingly neutral.

"Have you heard from Rhett and Eden at all lately?" asked Sam when she returned her attention to us.

"Not directly. Social media a bit," I said.

A server approached our table, a pleasant smile on her face while she cradled her order pad in her palms. "What can I get you all to start?" Her eyes fell on Marley first.

"Cheeseburger, cooked medium, and fries, please. And nachos for the appetizer," she answered right away and handed her the menu.

"You got it." She smiled then turned to Nora. "And for you?"

"I'm okay right now, thank you," she said, a small smile making it to her mouth despite the paleness that dimmed her expression.

My brow furrowed and I turned to her. She didn't look at me right away, and the tension in her shoulders alone told me all I needed to know. I leaned over and kissed her cheek, then whispered.

"Are you having a panic attack, honey?"

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