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Chapter Seven

I didn't know for sure if Samirah would want to head out to a restaurant or stay in, so I dressed for both occasions. Admitting my anxiety over potentially going to a busy place for dinner continued to linger in my gut. Alex helped me pick out a casual knee-length dress with long sleeves and a thick belt, coupled with my usual knee-high boots.

"I don't like this with these panties," I told her, tugging the dress down. "I feel exposed."

"How about a pair of boy shorts or Spanx? Do you have those?"

"I do." I searched my dresser and found a pair of black boxer briefs. "How about these?"

"Do they fit you snugly?"

"Yes."

"They should be good. Swap." She clapped her hands at me and I chuckled while changing.

I tugged the new pair on and nodded. "These are better. They feel like shorts."

"Good. You can't see them either." Alex smiled at me while she stood beside me in the mirror. "Your hair looks good."

"I like this cut. Jordan did a good job."

"She did. Blowouts take eight seconds on your hair."

"Thanks for doing it." I turned to face her and she smiled. "And thanks for helping me pick out something to wear."

"You're welcome. Are you going to come home tonight?"

"I'm not sure. If I don't, you can sleep in the bed. You looked uncomfortable on the sofa last night."

"I was. I was worried about getting my stuff out before the asshole did something to it," she said, dropping to sit on the bed. "Thanks for letting me stay here. I'll probably have a new place soon."

"Too bad I don't have two bedrooms. It would be easier. This place is tiny."

"Yeah, but you're comfortable here."

"I am."

"Okay, go on your date." She gave my shoulder a shove after I tugged on my boots. "Be careful."

"I will. Bye, Al."

"Later." She flopped back onto the bed and let out a dramatic sigh.

An hour later, I found myself knocking on Samirah's door, with my heart pounding in my chest. I clutched my purse to my side, my clammy hands holding the strap. She greeted me a moment later, and her radiant smile soothed my worry like a shot of a tranquilizer in my veins. Clad in a pair of skinny jeans, and ankle boots, she, too, appeared ready for whatever our plans entailed. Her pink sweater hung lower in the back, but high in the front so that when she raised her arms to hug me, it lifted enough to reveal her pierced navel. The small ring with a shimmery diamond teardrop drew my attention before I wrapped her in a hug.

"You look so nice," she said, rubbing my back in firm circles. "How are you?"

"I'm good. You look amazing as always." I stroked her hair, which felt extra soft tonight, before leaning back. "Can I kiss you?" I smiled when I asked and she nodded.

"Oh yeah. Definitely." She grinned and closed the distance between us to catch me in a firm, hungry kiss. My toes curled in my shoes and I stroked her cheek as my belly burned with yearning.

"Wow," I said breathlessly when we ended.

"Yeah." Her smile, sweet and endless, coupled with her twinkling eyes, nearly melted me on the spot. She took my hand and led me inside, closing the door with her foot. My fingers wrapped around her palm and the gesture radiated warmth up my arm.

"I like your belly ring. I didn't notice that before."

"Huh?—Oh." She smiled and tugged up the hem of her shirt to show me. "Like that, do you?"