Page 175 of Tarek

I burst out laughing. “Girl my belly is almost to my toes. Neither can I.”

“I can’t touch my toes at this point,” Zeeta adds.

I lean back and wipe my tears away. “What are toes again?”

“Exactly. Can I say something else? I am so horny.” Zeeta laughs, and all her joy is radiating.

“Oh my God, me too. I can rub on a post and get an orgasm.”

“Pray for Rhet, because I have that poor man working overtime,” Zeeta laughs with her head thrown back.

“Tarek was afraid that his cock would hit the baby. The doctor cleared that up,” I added.

“I remember when I was having Gia, Rhet thought the same. I told him you’re big but you’re not that big calm down.” I love that she is so happy.

Rhet is taking good care of my friend. Her skin is radiant. Her hair lush. She looks rich and comfortable.

“I am so happy you are going to be at the Waterfront celebration tomorrow.”

Zeeta nods. “Yeah, trust me I won’t miss it for the world. The guys have invested so much with Rhet. Tarek’s restaurant should be open in some months there right.”

“He hasn’t spoken much about the project but yes. I think fatherhood has consumed him.”

“It should. I can’t believe you guys chose to keep the gender a mystery.” Zeeta groans as she rolls her legs down off the sofa.

“I know right. Well tomorrow I will be there, humongous belly and all watching your husband and my fiancé, make Lakeshore history.”

“Trent would be proud,” Zeeta says.

“He better fucking be. This shit was work.” Rhet hurries to his wife’s side and helps her up.

“Thanks, babe. See you tomorrow, Wenny Penny.” Zeeta waves as she and Rhet leaves.

Tarek walks down the stairs and comes to me. “Hey, how you are feeling?”

“Can you help me up?” I ask with my arms stretched up.

Without hesitation Tarek bends down and lifts me gently from under my arm. I press my nose into his chest as he helps me to my feet.

“What do you need?” he asks rubbing my shoulders. Ever since my 35thweek, I feel like we are becoming distant, which is weird. We haven’t changed much as people. Who am I kidding?

Tarek has become more serious, harder to reach. It’s like he is building an invisible wall between us and I’m on the outside knocking.

“Are we okay?” I ask him while fixing my overalls.

“Yes. Do you feel like we are not? Is there something I am doing wrong?”

Zeeta was right, my fiancé is a good man. “No, you are doing everything right. But you feel…. I don’t know. Distant.”

“Oh, I have just been in my head. Sorry. It’s not you or anything.” His hands come down to rub my belly.

Some weeks ago, when the babies gave me their first kick it was like a flutter. Now it’s like someone is stretching my belly to get outside.

“You, okay?”

I chuckle. “Yes.”

“Demajio the stylist is coming tomorrow to get you ready?” Tarek asks as we begin a slow walk to the kitchen.

---