Page 111 of Tarek

“This is for Rhet’s wedding. Try it and give me your thoughts,” Tarek uses his fork on the very delicate beef, revealing a pink marble center.

When he raises it for me to taste there is an explosion of flavor in my mouth. The meat is rich and savory, perfectly seasoned. Then the potatoes melt in my mouth, warm, buttery with a hint of nuttiness. It takes all of me not to moan. I close my eyes craving more. Forgetting Tarek’s question.

“It’s a Pan seared wagyu beef tenderloin with celeriac puree and a red wine reduction,” Marco interjects.

I open my eyes and lick my lips and Tarek’s gaze is fixed on my face. Without hesitation he bends and kisses my lips. I open my mouth up, allowing him to taste me.

Marco clears his throat, and I give a little tap on Tarek’s arm.

Slowly he pulls away, ignoring Marco. “I missed you today. You didn’t call.”

“I had work. I wasn’t feeling to well today.” I wanted to tell him. Hey, I might be pregnant, but I hold back.

“How are you feeling now?” He pulls me closer to his side.

“Better,” I reply wanting to break the spell of intimacy. “Now, I think it may need citrus to give the meal that pop.”

Tarek and Marco instantly look at each other and it’s like they are having a silent chef conversation.

“I mean I could be wrong. I’m not a chef or anything,” I proclaim.

Marco moves quickly, he runs back and comes back with a small grater and a lime. Tarek releases me. Placing the spoon back into his pocket he zests the lime.

I take pleasure in watching the small curls of lime fall onto the beef. Finally, he cuts it and gives the lime a small squeeze over the beef.

He drops the grater and wipes his hand in his apron. Together he and Marco dig their forks into the delicate meat. They both raise the forks to their mouth. The room is silent, and I watch Tarek’s jaw ruminate. His eyebrow furrow, his expression looks like he’s upset.

Shit, did I spoil the meal? Marco puts his fork down and begins to clap slowly. Tarek jumps right in.

I chuckle and take a small bow.

“Thanks for the idea, Ms. Pen. We have been standing here trying to decipher what was needed,”

Marco looks like he was relieved.

“If we hadn’t figured out what was missing, Marco and I would’ve been here all night,” Tarek says folding his arm as he looks down at his dish.

Marco nods “I’m going to head out. Violet’s waiting for me at home, it’s almost 11:35pm.”

“Tell Violet I said hi and tell her thanks for the tea,” I tell Marco.

“I will clean up,” Tarek says.

Marco leaves the kitchen bidding both Tarek and I good night.

* * *

TAREK

“How was your day?” I make a small note on the pad.

“Crazy,” she replies. I push the plate toward her with my fork. Without a fuss, she settles on a black stool.

Staff members all come in to say good night, or to take up their belongings.

Janaka and Josh were the last to leave. I lock the door behind them walking back into the kitchen.

Normally I don’t like people in my space especially in my kitchen. Here is where I rule as king but seeing Penny perch on a stool eating the food I just created fills me with an unspoken warmth. That has been my time with Penny. She brings me a rare kind of peace. It’s like I need to have her at my side and the thought of me being a father to her child seems more appealing than before.

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