Page 195 of Solanum

"That would be horrifically tense." She snickered and moved to me. I settled her between my legs, and she relaxed. When water rose around our waists, she reached over to turn off the tap.

"Is it better or worse with me in here?"

"Better."

With caution, I cupped a tiny bit of water and trickled it down her arm. She flinched when my hand neared her face but smiled when it didn't happen.

"How's that?"

"Good." She rested her head against mine and I kept on doing it. "This is systematic desensitization."

"Is it?"

She nodded. "Form of exposure therapy."

"Have you been doing that with yourself?" I asked, my tone unassuming.

"Yes." She leaned fully into me then and let me cup water over her back. "Because it's bordering on a phobia."

"I'm glad you're able to see that, honey. There's no need to keep it a secret, okay?" I nudged her chin up. "In this relationship, we help each other with shit."

"Yes." She smiled and kissed me sweetly. "We do. Always."

"You know it." I grinned and winked at her.

"I think…I would be very happy being with you all the time like Sali and Maggie are with each other. I don't think we'd ever get sick of each other. They don't."

"No." I laughed at the thought of them. "But they're completely obnoxious, bicker something wicked, and chase each other around like horny felines high on catnip."

"Yes, but it looks so fun," she said, snickering along with it.

"Want me to chase you around the house?" I grinned and flicked my tongue over her lips. "With a paddle?"

"Yes!" She squealed and cracked up. "Please do that."

"I will."

By the time we emerged from the bath, Anita arrived. Rain dampened her hair, weighing down her beach-wavy curls in a manner I hadn't seen before. Her drawn, tired expression matched her soggy appearance. She slipped out of her trench coat and hung it on the hooks by the front door before giving us her full attention. A mild, nearly pathetic smile curved her mouth when Nora approached her with arms outstretched. She allowed the hug, and the two of them embraced for a little longer than usual.

"What's going on?" asked Nora, rubbing Anita's back before they parted.

"Nothing. I wanted to come see how you were before starting work next week," answered Anita, her statement dripping with lies.

Nora frowned immediately. "That's not the reason. You were upset on the phone."

"I'm fine, Nor." Anita squeezed her arm then her gaze flickered to me.

I held my tongue for the time being, as it was Nora she called, not me. I didn't know Anita well enough to bust into her, but time would change that.

"Well, for fine, you look pretty terrible." Nora led her over to the sofa and Anita followed without a fuss.

"You two want coffee?" I asked, more to busy myself than anything else.

"I'm okay," answered Anita.

"She's not," Nora retorted, her gaze on mine. "Coffee for both of us, please."

I winked at her and stepped into the kitchen to prepare such.

---