Page 176 of Solanum

"Are you doing this out of guilt?"

"I'm doing this out of duty and because she's unusually…gifted."

"She's a piece of work." I smirked when I thought about my friend. "I'll facilitate, but safely. Keep her at the edge."

"Good. Help her get enough so that we can take the burden."

"Will do."

Wilkinson's sincerity rarely made it through and when it seemed to, my doubt lingered. Why talk to me about Nora's assignment or Sali's case if he didn't have some sort of undercurrent of emotion flooding through? It didn't matter anymore. Today I had other things to worry about, including warning Sali about Wilkinson's interest in the case she and Maggie researched.

It took me a while to get to Anita's, but when I finally made it, a sense of relief flooded me. For as much as Nora said she missed me, I missed her just the same. It'd be stupid of me not to admit that Wilkinson placing her back on my team didn't make me happy, because it did.

I knocked on Anita's door and she opened it rather quickly. Her newest place remained in continued disarray. Two moves in just a short time would disturb anyone. Save for a few pieces of functional furniture, most of her boxes remained packed.

"Have you moved in yet or is this just storage?" I teased.

"Hush up and go see your girl." Anita grinned and pointed toward the living room. "She's in the bathroom."

"Oh, good, then I'll surprise her."

"You will." Anita pointed to the flowers I held behind my back. "This is new."

"Shut up and ignore it or I'll lock you in the closet." I narrowed my eyes at her, and she laughed.

"I hear you!" Nora's chirping voice echoed from wherever she was in the apartment.

"I hear you, too." I laughed when I heard her socked feet hurrying down the hall.

She came into view, windswept and at a jog before rushing me while squealing out her delight. I caught her, lifting her up straightaway and spinning her in a circle when she wrapped her legs around me. She squeezed me tight, and I embraced her, leaning into her sweet scent. The paper wrapped around the flowers crunched at her hip and she leaned back, her misty eyes twinkling.

"What's that?"

"For you." I slipped my arm under her rear, then showed her the bouquet of red and white roses.

"Caroline," she whispered, sniffing the flowers immediately. Her cheeks burned bright red, and she gnawed her lip when she met my gaze again. "Thank you."

"Welcome, baby." I held her properly when she took them and bounced her a few times. "Did Anita take good care of you?"

"Yes." Nora smiled while holding the flowers to her chest. "Not as good as you though. I can't believe you got me flowers."

"I got you chocolate, too, but forgot it in the car." I laughed and stroked her cheek.

She smiled, leaning into my touch before pressing her lips to mine. We shared a tender kiss, and she relaxed in my arms. Her head fell to my shoulder when we parted, and her entire body seemed to sigh.

I met Anita's gaze over her shoulder, and she smiled, nodding her understanding. I toted Nora over to the sofa and sat with her in my lap. She rested against me, her fingers stroking the soft petals of the roses. Anita joined us, and the three of us fell into quiet. It wasn't one of lacking something to say, but rather, of homecoming and comfort.

Nora broke it when she leaned back, her eyes still misty and glassy. "I'm so happy to see you."

"I'm happy to see you, too, babe." I tucked her hair behind her ears.

"I think we should cancel my appointment with Doctor Lewis and go home." She pouted before she even finished saying it, her gaze flickering from me to Anita.

"She's tried that with me twice already," said Anita, shaking her head. "Return to work or not, you need your check up."

"I'm fine…"

"I agree with Anita, Nor." I pinched her chin between my fingers when she looked back at me. "I'll be right there with you the whole time."

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