Page 44 of Solanum

"Yeah." She smiled at the token rather fondly, brushing her thumb over it. "It does."

"What do you say we wrap it up here, walk off some of these carbs, then grab some ice cream downtown?" I suggested when our conversation stalled under the gesture of a gift.

"I'd like that," she said, her entire demeanor shifting to the bashful, soft-spoken Nora I knew of yesteryear.

The server returned with our check, and I snatched it, per usual, before she could.

With our leftovers safely in my SUV, we headed downtown together, walking side-by-side in the mild temperatures of the evening. I tucked my hands into the pockets of my jacket, and Nora walked similarly, as we weaved our way through the crowded streets bustling with afterhours life.

We didn't talk at first, only shared each other's space and time.

"How's Anita?" I asked eventually, breaking the stalemate. "Haven't seen her in a while."

"She's okay. Cut back some of her time at the FBI recently so she's more focused on her hospital work and with S.P.D. I'm seeing her tomorrow night again," she said while looking down at her heeled boots as they hit the pavement beside mine in a slow saunter. Her circle skirt fluttered against her knees, much more relaxed than her tighter pencil skirts that she wore to work.

"That's good. So, what's with her and Marita?" I smirked when I asked. "Are they friends or…?"

"Honestly, I'd put them in the or category right now. Marita has always been head-over-heels for her, but Anita…" Nora shrugged. "Resists her? I guess. She trusts her and loves her, but something holds her back, I think."

"Like what?"

"Not sure. Just herself, I guess?" She glanced at me, her expression dimmed by the concern she held for her friend. "After she broke up with her last boyfriend, she's stayed single."

"That's awhile…"

"Sure is." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "Not much different for me lately."

"How so?"

She shrugged again, falling quiet as we continued down the street. "I've been thinking about buying a condo outside the city. What do you think about that?"

"Lifegoals for sure, Nor." My brow lifted when I heard her declaration. "More space and less congestion are good for the soul."

"Yeah." She smiled then, wrapping her arms around herself when she sensed my support.

I winked at her, pulling open the door to the ice cream shop. "After you."

"Hmm." She squinted at me, but cocked a brow when she entered. "Chivalrous."

"Always."

We ordered our favorites; peanut butter chocolate for me and chocolate brownie for Nora. Our confections met our lips with twin smiles of contentment, and I nodded for her to follow me around the corner of the shop on our way out.

The harbor lights, and the cry of seagulls set the scene as we leaned against the railing overlooking the water. Bouts of quiet continued to find us in-between casual conversation. Nora leaned close to me, her shoulder pressing against mine. She smiled at me when I nudged her and offered her a bite of my ice cream.

"Like Reese's Pieces?" I held the spoon to her.

"I do." She wrapped her lips around the black plastic, her eyes never leaving mine when she withdrew. "Yummy."

"Very."

"Want some brownie?" She returned the gesture and I accepted it just the same.

"Oh wow. There's real pieces of brownie in this shit."

"Yes." Her laugh turned into a cute giggle, her body pressing to me a little closer then. "That's why it's my favorite."

"Clever. Two desserts in one." I grinned and wagged my brows at her. "That's a thing."

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