"Too busy." She swallowed hard, interrupting what she wanted to say. "Doing other things."
"So many other things." I grinned and caressed her sides up and down in slow strokes.
"Miss things," she said, leaning her forehead against mine again.
"Me, too." I kissed her nose, and we both closed our eyes. "I've missed you."
"Missed you, too." She gulped then said, "Murdered psycho boyfriend. Single now."
I laughed hard at her sudden stroke of humor and the sound echoed around us. "Oh my God, Nor."
A proud smile parted her lips, and she placed her hand against my face. "Like when you laugh."
"I like when you laugh, too." I grinned and peppered her palm with kisses. "Let's go get you all fed up, then spend the afternoon cuddling on Sali's sofa in front of the fire. Sound like a plan?"
She nodded, grabbing me in a sudden rough hug. "Maya."
"And we'll talk to Maya." I pulled the plug of the tub and urged her legs around me again.
With her in my arms and a smile on her face, things felt better and my surety in Nora's healing began to take root. I didn't know where our future would take us or if our playful conversation only came to fruition out of my sheer need to soothe and help her that day. In the moment though, it didn't matter. I didn't have the capacity to think beyond the right now, and with that, I would do what felt right, regardless of the consequences. I would follow my instincts.