Page 224 of Solanum

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Pix, c'mere," Marita called for Anita while the four of us sat around the fire on the private beach behind her house.

Anita broke away from whatever she looked for in her bag and headed over to her girlfriend. Marita pulled her into her lap, draping her arms around her middle.

"Can I help you?" Anita smiled when she asked while gazing at her.

"You're fussing with stuff. What's got you anxious?" asked Marita.

"Nothing in particular," she said, though the tone in her answer told otherwise.

Nora rested her head against my thigh while watching the flames flicker in front of us. The night-darkened sky burst with life belonging to the visible celestial bodies. I ran my fingers through her hair while she stroked my calf.

"Honey, your phone." Nora lifted my mobile from the sand. "It's buzzing."

"Who is it?"

"A text from Samirah. Is she coming over this week?"

"She's in Seattle but she's staying with Stella and Alice. What'd she say?"

Nora paused then snickered. "That she's staying with Stella and Alice."

"What else?" I chuckled and watched her read the incoming texts.

"She wants to borrow the playroom on Friday night." Nora showed me the screen.

"Grant her wish, babe."

"I can't believe you two know Samirah," said Marita, her chin resting on Anita's shoulder. "She's good people, but she's got a tall flame if you don't know her."

"What do you mean?" asked Anita, her brow furrowed.

"She has a temper." Marita grinned up at her. "Why, Pix? Jealous?"

"No." Anita thwapped her arm.

"Mad you're not the only doctor to hook up with this nurse?" Marita teased, wagging her brows at her.

"You mind your tongue." Anita poked her mouth. "Or it'll be very lonely for a while."

"Noted." Marita laughed and grabbed her in a rough hug. "What's making you worried?"

"Sali and Maggie are in Hawaii. She always worries about Sali," Nora called her out.

"Nor." Anita flopped her hands in her lap. "That's not the reason."

"She's a sneaky liar, Marita. Don't listen to her." Nora narrowed her eyes at Anita, and I laughed at their mutual glares.

"For your information, Jenny is moving to an apartment treatment program tomorrow and I'm concerned about her adjustment," fought Anita.

Nora motioned to her while meeting Marita's gaze. "You're welcome."

"It took that little blonde nugget to weasel that out of you when you could've just told me." Marita poked the end of Anita's nose.

Anita huffed and swatted her hand. "Confidentiality is a thing that Nora doesn't seem to remember."

"Nora isn't bound by the statues of confidentiality when it comes to friends or family members," Nora said, scowling after. "Get it together, Neets."

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