Page 174 of Tarek

“I’m happy to be a part of that dream,” I stand and put my hand out to one of my best friends.

Rhet looks at my palm in disgust and then stretches out his hand and shakes it.

“Let me go get my wife from your fiancé’s clutches then we can go,” Rhet says as he leaves my office.

* * *

PENNY

“It’s harder to breathe,” Zeeta cries, while fighting with the pillow on the sofa.

I chuckle. “It’s because your child has Rhet’s big head.”

A pillow flies past my head, and I duck just in time.

“You missed heifer,” I tease her, laughing.

Zeeta squints and grins. “I will forgive you for calling my man’s head big, if you let me see that ring again,”

I extend my hand, flashing the diamond at her.

We both giggle while kicking our feet like schoolgirls.

“I can’t believe you are engaged!” Zeeta says.

“I still can’t believe we are pregnant at the same time.”

Zeeta smiles. “I can’t believe you are having a baby with Tarek. He is smitten by the way.”

I bow my head, I didn’t want Zeeta to see the doubt in my eyes. “Yeah, I guess he is.”

“You guess? Girl that man has become your personal chef and massage therapist,” Zeeta say raising her brows.

“Yeah, you are right. He is a great guy.”He just hasn’t said I love you since I came back.

“Great guy? Penny, you have to get a hold of your childhood trauma shit,” Zeeta says, struggling to prop her feet up on the sofa.

“It’s not trauma shit. It’s just that… what if he leaves Zee,” My voice. Why am I crying?

Zeeta stretches to reach a lemon cookie, and her little struggle is cracking me up.

“What if he stays? Forever. Stop looking for excuses.”

“I’m not. It’s just that he hasn’t said I love you since I got back.”

Zeeta sighs. “Girl, well say it to him.”

“Supposed he doesn’t anymore? I can’t.”

“Heifer I know you,” Zeeta says firmly. “Look at me.”

I wipe my eyes and lift my head.

“You deserve good things. Tarek is not leaving. I’m never leaving.”

My shoulders begin to shake.

“Aww, don’t cry. I can’t come off this sofa to help you,” Zeeta says.

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