Page 30 of Tarek

“Okay tummy I will feed you.” Shuffling slowly to the kitchen I open my fridge, a carton of hazelnut coffee creamer, milk and butter sat neatly.

“So, Food Dash,” Taking my phone from out of my cardigan, my fingers shuffle through the list of restaurants.

“Birria Taco?” After such a rich feast last night, I should go easy on my stomach. The most difficult thing is to be hungry and scrolling through a food app.

I think about food and my thoughts instantly turns to the man; he was the best dinner companion I ever had. It took all of me not to melt, when he smiled at me, or when his eyes were trained on my face, taking in every word that I said.

I wanted to say, “It’s okay to kiss me.” But nope, that’s not what last night was about. Do I find Tarek attractive? What woman with working eyes wouldn’t? He is beautiful but dark, it’s hard to explain. His hair is cut in soft layers, curling just slightly at the ends. And those lips, full, with that perfect dark pink kissable kind of pout. I know on paper that description shouldn’t work. But trust me, it does. I’m about five foot five, the perfect height in my opinion, and I think Tarek is about six foot five.

I didn’t focus on his height. No, my attention was on his hands and the way it swallowed mine. Good lord. But I tend to tread lightly with men. Especially since my breakup with Melvin.

I am always weary of men. Men are a treacherous species as a whole. As a big girl you come across a platter of men. Some men, just want to hug and fuck you…but in private. Never outside, never for the world to see. The others will act like they love you, then a Fitness by Gabby link will be sent to your phone. Oh, how can I forget the men who thinks of me as a fetish, someone that they jerk their small, tiny cocks off too. Then there is a group of men who approach big women thinking we have low self-esteem, and we will fall for anyone. No matter how much of a great time I had last night, I have to remember Tarek is still a man, a rich man with power. I will be weary of him to.

My belly grumbles again.

“Okay, okay.” My bones feel heavy, while I drag my feet across my wooden floor to the couch, finally plopping down on the fluffy pillows.

Tarek

Hi

My phone becomes like lead, and I drop it onto my lap. Should I respond now? Or wait for thirty minutes and act like I am busy.

My brows frown at the thought. Stop your bull-shit Penny.

Picking up the phone with nimble fingers I typed.

Penny

Hi

I stare at the phone waiting for a response, several blinks later nothing.

“Child, order your food and forget about this man.” I begin to scroll to the app again.

Hmm, two birria tacos with extra cheese and one small ramen birria.

The edges of my phone blinks purple and is vibrating in my hand all because Tarek was calling.

Should I answer? Oh, maybe let it ring out and act like I didn’t see it.

The phone stops ringing, and I exhale a breath that I didn’t even know I was holding.

Tarek

I know you’re seeing my name. Answer the phone.

A stifled chortle leaves my throat. The phone rings and this time I answer.

“Hello.”

“Are you finished trying to take over the world?”

“To what do I owe this pleasure, Mr. Fairisles?”Please invite me to dinner for more free food and good company.

He clears his throat and says, “Part of me wants to say you, me, dinner, now. But I don’t think that would work on you.”

Actually, sir it would, my standards are high but for the right kind of man, they can also be very low.

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