Page 61 of Solanum

She stopped looking at the phone, her eyes cast downward despite the small smile she wore. Tears dripped from her lashes to the countertop in front of her, but she kept on talking. "Um…Anita and I went to a nice Indian restaurant the other night. I think you'd like it."

"You know I'm always down for some Indian food. Tikka Masala is my lifeforce. Not to mention endless naan." I groaned dramatically, hoping to lift her spirits some.

She chuckled, her gaze flickering back to her phone. With reddened cheeks that matched her nose, her sadness still managed to poke through.

"What's making you cry, Nor? You can talk to me…"

She shook her head, pursing her lips for a brief moment. "Just feeling emotional." She sniffled and wiped her cheeks roughly. "You were right about Greg, by the way. We had lunch together at work twice this week, since Wilkinson kept me back at the office. The second time, he asked me out."

"Told you he had a thing for you." My stomach knotted, and I fought the damaging rage that made me want to strangle the little red-headed fuckface. "What did you say?"

"That I was flattered, but…not right now."

"Do you like him like that?" I asked, trying my damn best to not be that friend that pushed their own agendas.

She shook her head, and sniffled. "No. He told me he's been spending more time at Leather & Lace though. Wanted to know if I'd join him for a scene with Ravana or Raven or whatever she goes by."

"What did you say to that?" I repeated my question of earlier, hoping my tone didn't shift either.

"Same. Not right now."

"Not to sound like a total jerk, Nor, but 'not right now' kind of leaves the door open for later. Guys kind of bank on that." And there I was, that friend.

"I realize that." She sniffled again and glanced at the phone finally. "I wasn't in the mood for a confrontation. He seemed to accept my decline for now."

"I hope he respects it."

She nodded and leaned her cheek on her hand, growing quiet while she watched me. Her sad eyes, laden with so much emotion, broke my heart and all I wanted to do was hug her.

"What are you feeling right now, quiet girl?"

"Lonely," she said, blinking away a round of leaping tears again. "I have to pack to get things ready for the move."

"Want some help when I get back? It shouldn't take too long. You're good at minimalism."

"I'd like that," she said, a smile returning to her. "Packing up boxes, beer, and pizza."

"I'm sold." I winked at her and she chuckled. I changed course though, hoping to cool off the invitation a little bit. "Maybe we can make a girls night of it. Invite Anita and Maya. We'll be done super fast."

"Yeah." She perked up, her smile broadening. "It's been a long time since we all hung out together."

"Get the group text going, girl." I wiggled my fingers at the camera. "Get to it."

She laughed more openly then, her tears slowly fading. "When will you be back?"

"Friday night. See if they're free Saturday or Sunday for a pack-a-thon. When's the moving date?"

"End of the month if the closing goes over well tomorrow. It's a really nice condo in a cute community. I think you'll like it."

"Is it first floor?"

"You know it." She laughed hard, her remaining tears vanishing then. "No storied walk-up is a status symbol these days."

"Sure is."

"I'm so tired," she said, yawning with it. "But I wanted to talk to you for a little bit."

"I'm pretty beat, too. Talking to you is always comforting. Maybe I'll sleep better."

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