Page 77 of Tarek

“Yes, my money was gone. I got that back. I lost my job.” His cheeks reddened.

I lean forwards and whispered, “Don’t forget the girl you cheated on me with is charging you with sexual assault to save her ass.”

“At first, I hated your guts, Penny,” Melvin says.

I chuckle. “Mel, how can you hate my guts when you couldn’t even reach them,” I reply.

“I miscalculated, Penny. I was wrong. You should take me back.” Just like that he expected me to run into his cheating arms.

“I am not a dog. I don’t eat my vomit once I throw it up.”

His jaw rocks, and a rush of air leaves his nose. “You fat ungrateful bitch. I never wanted you.”

“Men are constantly trying to tell plus size women they don’t want us. But the truth is you don’t look like the guy I want. Anyway, I must end this Tête-à-tête,” I wonder if Tarek arrived as yet.

“I’m beginning to hate everything about you Penny. The crass way you have. I hate your guts.”

I chuckle. “And you look like a dry cracked heel. Have a good night.”

His eyes expand, and his shoulders drop.

“That’s why your womb is barren, and no sperm will ever enter it.” Smugly, he sips his wine. The fat jokes didn’t usually affect me, but this one did.

I wanted to pull my fist back and blacken his eye, but this is my brother’s event. Even the slightest hint of bad behavior could tank his votes.

Swallowing my pride, I throw my shoulders back and say, “No, my body was just smart enough not to accept you.”

God, I want to smack him in his face so hard, my palms are itching.

“You will never find another man like me, Pen. One who is intelligent, comes from a good family, God fearing. You will never find a man to fuck you the way I did.”

I caught his scent before I saw him. The smell of expensive bold cologne and smoke. I close my eyes and wait for his presence to be known. A soft kiss brushes my forehead, and I am pulled to his side.

“Sorry I’m late, Treasure,” Tarek’s voice rumbles, his presence out shadows Melvin’s. I look up at him and smile.

“Never a problem.” all the vexation that I felt toward Melvin seeps out of me.

“Who the fuck is this?” Melvin snaps as he points at Tarek like a child throwing a tantrum.

Tarek doesn’t bother acknowledging Melvin, his focus is solely on me. “Marco packed us dinner.”

“Really what did he pack? Please tell me there is a chocolate cake in the mix,” I reply, wanting to leave now.

“He sent chocolate mousse and pomegranates,” Tarek announces wiggling his eyebrows with a playful grin.

“I love chocolate cake. It’s my favorite, but the mousse will do. You’ve been smoking?” I flick my head to the lit cigarette in his hand.

“Fuck sorry. I had a rough night,” Tarek states, his eyes never leave mine.

Melvin stomps his foot in frustration. “Penny who the fuck is this?”

Before I could answer Tarek calmly takes his lit cigarette and puts it out in Melvin’s drink never looking at him.

I bite back a laugh. It’s like Melvin doesn’t exist to Tarek.

“I have to admit I sort of missed you,” Tarek says, taking my hand, steering me toward the exit.

Melvin lunges in front of us, blocking our path. “You disrespectful motherfucker, fight me.”

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