Page 219 of Safe With You

Interesting.

“So you’re the best friend,” Tasha said.

Naomi lifted an eyebrow. “And you’re the sister.”

“I am.”

“Good to know.”

I looked between them. “Why did that sound like y’all just exchanged information neither one of you actually gave?”

Tasha laughed.

Naomi’s mouth curved. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Ellis stepped closer beside me. “Leave it alone.”

I looked at him.

“You’re thinking loud.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“It does from where I’m standing.”

Someone near the entrance called Naomi’s name, and she started to turn away before glancing back at Tasha.

“You staying for the whole thing?”

“That’s the plan.”

Naomi nodded. “Good.”

Then she walked away.

Another group came through the front door, and Ellis’s hand brushed against the small of my back as he moved out of their way, guiding me with him.

It was barely a touch.

Natural enough that I didn’t think anything of it until I caught Tasha looking at his hand.

Her eyes lifted to his face.

She didn’t tease him this time.

Instead, she smiled.

It was small and quiet and gone almost as quickly as it appeared, but there was something about it that made me wonder how long it had been since she’d seen her brother like this.

I didn’t ask.

Naomi called my name from across the room, pulling my attention back toward everything that still needed to happen before we opened.

As I turned away, I caught Tasha looking toward the register.

Toward Naomi.