Page 73 of Tarek

“Get out.” I chuckle as I open up the new file on Pastor Joseph. Dread settles as I begin to read.

My phone beeps and my heart thuds. What the hell is going on with me? Why is my heart fluttering when my phone rings?

Pen

I have been here for an hour. Can you pick me up now? If not, I will call an Uber.

Me

Penny

Why are you laughing?

Me

Because you are fucking funny. Uber over me. See you soon.

With no time to waste, I close up all the files.

“You wanted to see me?” Wes walks into my office as I stood getting myself ready to leave.

“Yes, find out Pastor Joseph schedules and get them to me.” I grab my jacket off the chair, throwing it on.

“Anything else?” Wes makes notes on his iPad.

I wonder if Pen ate anything yet… “Call Marco and tell him I need ingredients for a dinner that is Pen inspired. Tell him to include pomegranates. Have it readied at Glasshouse back entrance in five minutes.”

Wes clears his throat. “Pen inspired. As in Ms. Penelope inspired?”

Pausing I walk up to Wes and stare down at him. “And what if it is?”

Instantly Wes raises his hands in surrender. “I just think it’s nice to see you in love.”

Everything in me stills. “I’m not in love.”

Wes’s eyebrow raises. “I meant in like…It’s nice to see you in like. Let me go get everything you need ready.”

Backing slowly out of the room, Wes makes a smooth exit.

“In love? I have only known her a small amount of time. I can’t be in love…can I?”

My surroundings become a blur as I exit the gates of Nowhere.

Love. I mean, I like her company, and she is beautiful. But to be in love needs a little more, right? I like fucking her. Everything about her vagina makes me happy. But that is not love. I need more to fall in love, right? I know what some of her likes and dislikes are. Maybe I should stop this before it starts? I don’t want her to fall in love with me, it will just be heartbreak for her.

Pausing at the red light, my heart sinks when I think about stopping, what life would be like without Penny? My mind answers for me, “It will be fucking fantastic like it always is.” Mentally I give myself a high five and a wave of relief washes over me.

“Siri call Gioielleria Jewelry Store.”

“Calling Gioielleria Jewelry Store.”

Through the speaker I can hear someone wrestling with the phone. “Gioielleria.”

Taking a left, I weave my way through the traffic. “Gio, it’s Tarek.”

“Fairisles, my favorite customer. Do you need another bulk of gold chains?”

Bulk? I mean thirty to forty pieces can be considered a bulk. I have like twelve remaining. Hmm I guess I do buy in bulk.

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