Page 65

"You do, dollface." Jordan cupped my cheeks in her hands, and made an affectionate squeak. "Because you're so cute."

"Stop that." I nearly cracked up and swatted at her. "I have a girlfriend now."

Sam and Ainsley shared a hearty laugh at my expense which earned both of them a glare from me.

"She knows we love you too. Okay, enough hiding away. Go eat food." Jordan released me and waved us off.

Jordan and Ainsley hurried off to mingle in their usual way, and I returned my attention to Samirah.

"Are you hungry?" I asked as she took my hand. I laced my fingers with hers and she gave me a squeeze.

"I am. Let's grab something."

"Well, right now I've grabbed you and this wine." I lifted both my hands and she chuckled, leaning over to kiss my cheek.

"Jordan's right. You are cute."

"Thank you for saying that." I hugged her arm to my chest as we made our way to the buffet of food. "You're incredibly sexy. Has anyone ever told you?"

"Not lately. Thank you for the compliment, baby." Sam set her wine down on the dining room table and I followed suit before we fixed ourselves plates.

Voices around us grew louder as people crowded the living room and greeted new arrivals. The sound tunneled and my heart pounded over the noise in my ears. I managed to place a few chips on my plate, but before I knew it, Samirah crouched in front of me to get my attention. I met her gaze and the haze over my sight faded.

"Hi, honey." She took the plate from me and nodded toward the vacant table. "How about I get us something to eat and you save us seats there?"

"Okay," I croaked as the awareness of my nerves rose to the surface. I gulped down the thickness in my throat and Sam set the dish aside to hug me. Her arms encircled my waist and she nearly lifted me from the floor. The desire to wrap my legs around her hit me hard, but I fought the urge to do so. She led me over to the portion of the table closest to the corner and I sat. Sam crouched down in front of me, and placed her hands on my knees.

"Rosie," she called, her voice a sweet sing-song. "Are you wearing purple fairy socks?"

I laughed softly and nodded. "I think so."

"Good. Purple socks are my favorite." Her maroon-painted lips curved into a smile. When she leaned forward to kiss my knee, her hair fell forward and tickled my legs. I ran my fingers through it and her closeness settled me. "So how about some sandwiches and baked ziti?"

"Sounds yummy. And chips. I still want that."

Her laughter echoed and she leaned up to kiss me, her fingers tangling in my hair. I melted under her warmth and affection when her hand slid up my thigh. I ran my finger down the curve of her jaw until she released me, leaving me breathless.

"Better," I whispered, pressing my forehead against hers.

"Mmm. You're the best medicine, Rosie." She nuzzled my nose with hers before standing. "Be right back."

"Okay." I pulled my legs up to sit cross-legged on the chair while I watched her.

While moving through the buffet, Samirah tossed me a look over her shoulder that nearly melted me on the spot. A sultry gaze, a wry smile, and her quirked brow brought a smile to my face. In that moment, everyone else faded away. When she returned to the table with two plates piled high, she set one in front of me.

"Here you go, my sweet." She kissed the top of my head before sitting beside me.

"Thank you, Sam. You're very good to me." I reached over and squeezed her hand.

"You deserve someone who cares about you and takes care of you, Rosie." She brought my hand to her lips for a kiss which turned me into a figurative puddle in my seat.

"So do you." I gave her hand a squeeze.

"To say I didn't expect to run into you here, Samirah Flynn, is an understatement." A husky, sardonic voice broke our syrup fest. I turned to see the curly-haired woman, formerly identified as Caroline, approach.

"I was strategically ignoring you in presumably your territory," answered Samirah, though her expression flattened to a stoic doctor face.

"Hmm. Here I was assuming it was yours." Caroline folded her arms over her chest and cocked a brow.