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"Thank you, Sami." I smiled at her and she blew me a kiss.

"I love turning your cheeks pink," she said, grinning at me then turned to Juni. "Worth it, right?"

"Totally." Juni smiled and leaned over to smooch my cheek. "Let me take her, Rosie. You've hardly eaten and I'm done."

"Okay." I handed off Lily to her mother, and plucked a fry from my plate. I clutched the rose to my chest, then pushed my dish toward Sam. "Share with me?"

"Thanks, baby. How's everyone's day?" she asked while helping herself to some fries. We split the pickle afterward.

"Sali annoys me to death. Juni is mourning the near end of her maternity leave," I summed up and Juni nodded.

"Sali nearly ran me over on my way across the street." Sam chuckled and shook her head at us while I cut my burger in half. I handed Sam half and she patted the seat beside her. "Come sit with me, baby."

"Go on. I had my sister time and I'm about to whip out a nipple." Juni grinned while she covered herself with a nursing blanket and positioned Lily.

I wiggled my way under the table then into the booth beside Sam. They both laughed at me when I popped up on the other side. "Barely had to duck."

"Silly." Sam wrapped her arm around me and I leaned into her while we shared lunch.

"How was your mom today?"

"She's good. Farid wasn't there to bother us so it wasn't as stressful."

"Rosie and I decided that we're going to go with you to visit your mom. We're your armed guards," offered Juni, a playful smile on her lips.

"Oh yeah? My tiny little blonde Skipper dolls? Does that mean I get to dress you up?"

"Hey. I'm not Skipper." I pouted at her. "I'm Polly Pocket."

They both laughed hard and Sam pulled me to her while I held my burger in the air to avoid dropping it. "Sami."

I felt her smile against my neck when she held me from behind. The cozy warmth of her, in the middle of the work day, soothed whatever tension that lingered in my body. I snuggled into her and she let out a soft breath as if she shared my relief. I hugged her arms and settled to snickering.

"You two are very cute," said Juni, grinning at the two of us.

"We try."

The squeak of sneakers on the tiles drew my attention to a wind-whipped Sali rushing back in. "Rose, let's go," she commanded.

"What? Where?"

"Maggie thinks you should come with us to hear the report. You collect the data. Something might match. Quick groping tits and let's go." Sali jabbed her thumb over her shoulder.

Sam and Juni laughed at Sali's behavior but I'd had it at this point. I frowned, but kissed Sam quickly before standing. Sali bolted back out without even waiting for me.

"Something tells me I'm going to regret the next phase of this adventure…" I drew in a deep breath, and stared at the bouncing hood of the green sweater that preceded me out the door.