Page 180 of Tarek

“Ari. How are you?” I ask distracted, still scanning the room. Her voice becomes background noise as notice Cole’s smirk deepens.

“Tarek, congrats on the engagement” Khadijah adds “All the girls are talking about it,”

What did she mean by all the girls?

“Fun fact. Tarek’s exes have a little group like a sorority, and they come out to events like this to snag rich men,” Cole states. “Isn’t that amazing?”

I glance around the room and it’s like a veil lifts. I see them. Women I have been with. Some I remember. Some I barely do. All wearing the same necklace. The fuck.

“Yeah, this necklace is like a good luck charm.” Ari giggles as she touches hers.

Rhet scratches his forehead. “This shit can’t be happening. Next thing you know there is aWho fucked TarekFacebook group.”

Ari laughs “No, it’s a WhatsApp group.”

Cole chuckles and give the women a squeeze. “The necklace tells the men in the room that they are a good fuck.”

“Oh my God, Cole.” Ari says blushing “It tells them we are good girl friends.”

Cole frown. “So, you are not good in bed?”

I can’t remember any of these girls. I know them, but it’s like my moments with them have been overshadowed by Penny.

Then Zeeta appears at Rhet side, quiet and pissed off.

“So, Rhet you are aware that Tarek has been doing this for years and you are okay with it?” Zeeta asks her hand on her belly.

Rhet flinches. “What? Babe. No.”

“No, you didn’t know, or no you did know?” Zeeta says. She turns to me. “You gave my friend a necklace. What does that mean?”

Ari jumps in cheerful and oblivious. “That means the end of the relationship. That’s okay.”

Zeeta nostrils flare. “Are you going to dump my friend?”

“Fuck, no.” I reply quickly “I gave Pen the necklace months ago.”

Khadijah clears her throat. “Um, no, because Kelly got one early to, and months later, she was gone.”

I don’t believe in hitting women, but in this one occasion the thought has passed my mind.

Before I could speak Zeeta turns to Rhet. “How could you just allow this?”

“The fuck? Babe, Tarek is an adult.”

“No, Rhet. You let his exes attend this event!”

Rhet wipes his face in distress. “I don’t control the guest list, babe.”

Then Khadijah stabs the knife deep “Wait, you’re Caitlin’s ex. The one who kicked her out.”

Color drains from Rhet’s face. Zeeta huffs and walks away.

“Fuck you and your hoe tendencies. Cole I am going to fuck your ass up,” Rhet says.

Rhet’s already moving. “Zeeta wait.”

“Did I cause a mess?” Cole asks.

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