Page 5 of Solanum

"It wasn't that long ago and I'm not criticizing. We'll call it…cataloging."

"Let's start with you then. Oh wait. We can't because it's every hot woman who ever looked at you." Nora rolled her eyes. "Gay, bi, straight, and everything in between. You're Shane. You're literally Shane."

I laughed at her L Word reference. "Shane was literally the best character on the show."

"She wasn't," she said, reaching down and tugging off her boots. "She was the worst."

"Don't say you liked Jenny—"

"Alice was the best."

"Hmm. You only think that because she's bi like you."

"No. Because she was well-rounded and don't take out your biphobia on me. Questioning me about everything constantly. It's not okay." She pulled her arms tighter around herself then.

"I don't question you, Nora. I ask you questions, there's a difference. And I'm not biphobic. You just think I am because you don't like what I say to you."

"You are because of how you treat me," she said, her gaze meeting mine. Her green eyes, deep and emerald in the low light coupled with her fatigue, nearly tore into me. "I don't like when you ask me who I'm sleeping with."

"I don't ask to be critical of you…" I backed off somewhat when her expression dimmed.

"It feels that way."

We paused for a moment, and I said, "Sorry. That's not my intention…"

"Fine. Then what is?"

"Because I care about you. And sometimes you're reckless." Keeping a cap on my honesty wasn't ever my strong point. Even if I tried, it would eventually spill out of my face and offend someone else anyway.

"I am not reckless. Why do you even care?" She thwapped her hand down on the sofa again.

"Because, Nora, I just do. Okay? I just fucking do."

"Fine." She sighed and curled up tighter in the pillows. "I'm tired."

"Go to sleep."

"Not with you staring at me."

"Just fucking go to sleep."

"Are you going to stay here?" she asked, her gaze flickering to mine again.

I warred with myself while watching the way she curled up into a tiny ball. Her hair draped over her shoulders in its feathery way, fluttering in the stillest of air.

"No," I said, standing up from my perch. "My shit is at the club."

"Fine." She yawned and watched me. Despite her dismissive nature, her eyes gave away some of her heavier emotions, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't. "I have like three interviews tomorrow."

"I know. Get some sleep."

"Lock up when you leave."

"Always do. Later."

"Bye."

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