Page 193 of Solanum

"Thanks." Nora grinned at her and accepted it. "It's Anita." She swiped the phone to answer. "Hi, Neets."

Samirah stood idly in the doorway, pulling her hair back into a thick, long braid.

"We're here in Seattle, yeah. Where are you?" asked Nora, her gaze flicking to mine. "Oh. Come here then. You sound upset." Nora wiggled from my lap and tugged her robe off the edge of the bed. "Well, I don't care what you say, you sound upset. Did you talk to Marita or something?"

"Marita?" Samirah asked straightaway, her brows narrowing when she approached. "Marita Kavah?"

Nora held her finger to her lips and lifted a brow at Sam. I smirked at her firm scolding and Sam's eyes widened for a second.

"Just come here, Anita. It's fine. We'll see you soon. Okay. Okay, bye." Nora hung up the phone and drew in a deep breath. "I think Anita's off the deep end."

"It's about time." I scooted to the edge of the bed. "I was wondering when she'd crack."

"Yes." Nora tied her robe and slipped the phone into the pocket.

"I knew that preppy blonde in the cardigan that was here was Marita's Anita." Samirah propped her hands on her hips. "No wonder she looked familiar."

"You know Marita?" Nora's eyes widened as she glanced between us.

I smirked and let Samirah figure her own way out of this one while helping myself to one of the brownies still on the table beside the bed.

"Yeah." Samirah's gaze flickered in my direction. "We used to work together. Can't believe I finally got to lay eyes on Anita. I see the fuss now. She's cute."

Nora nodded, then narrowed her eyes at me. "Why do you look culpable over there?"

"I'm eating a brownie." I held it up to her in mock salute.

She scrunched her nose then looked back to Samirah. "Details."

"Marita helped me a lot a few years ago." Sam tied off her braid then let her hands fall to her hips. "We talk occasionally, not much since I've been all over the place."

"You're not now…"

"Somewhat. Marita's been head over heels for Anita forever. Are they finally a thing?"

"Not sure." Nora drew in a slow breath. "Anita doesn't get upset often but she's had a rough few months."

"Seems like everyone has." Samirah backed out of the room, pointing at Nora. "I require more details when I return."

Nora laughed at her and waved when she headed out. "Nosey."

"Absolutely." Samirah chuckled, then disappeared down the hall. She shouted her goodbyes a few moments later and the front door clicked shut.

"You." Nora stood up in front of me, her hands on her hips. "Sami and Marita know each other and you didn't tell me. Which means you know some things about Marita and didn't tell me either. Spill it, babe."

I laughed and held my hands up in surrender. "Hey now, you sexy little shit. I don't know anything more than what Sam just said. Sam went through some stuff and Marita helped her. Anything else is Samirah's story to tell, Kitten. Not for me."

"I understand that." Nora drew in a slow breath. "Anita will be here in twenty minutes."

"Okay." I swatted her rear and she squirmed. "I better get dressed. You can stay naked."

"Anita will freak out." She laughed and hugged me when I stood up.

I wrapped my arms around her middle and lifted her up so that her feet dangled around my ankles. She snickered and let me carry her from the room while I grinned against her cheek.

"You're very light, Nor. We better get you something to eat."

"Are you kidding? I eat like a cow lately."

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