Page 124 of Don Caselli

Nah. I was tripping.

I reached up and kissed his lips. “I bought some drinks and snacks for after dinner. My parents are excited.”

“Glad they excited.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Hell yeah. You don’t know my brother… he’s in an environment that isn’t his fucking safe space. Had Lupita bring over his meal ahead of his arrival.”

I looked at the packed bag and then back at Don. “Seriously?”

“Yeah.” He stared down at me.

“What did you make?”

Pulling my hand, he brought me over to the pots that were simmering on the stove. “Yellow rice, glazed carrots, and chicken.”

“Where did you learn how to cook?”

“My au pair used to cook for us every night, and she loved the cooking channel. When I was doing my homework, I just listened to shit and experimented when I moved here. Got tired of eating out every night.”

“You know you fucked up, right?” I stole a carrot from the pan and my mouth watered soon as it hit my taste buds.

I wanted to moan as I tasted the flavors and how sweet and bold, they were. “Nutmeg… tell me what else?”

“White pepper… secret ingredient.” He kissed my lips, sucking the glaze from my lips, as he squeezed my ass.

“At least we won’t starve completely. I know how to cook, but I hate cooking sometimes.” Nana had taught us all how to cook, but at times the thought of cooking seemed like a punishment.

Especially when it came to Guyanese food. All the tedious chopping, seasonings , and ways to specifically prepare dishes, was a lot if you weren’t in the mood. My food delivery app and me got along perfectly.

“I’ll cook whatever my baby wants me to cook,” he wrapped his arms around me, kissing on my neck. “I gotta fuck that pussy before guests start to arrive.”

Every hair, including the few on my below, stood at attention hearing him say those words into my ear. I wanted him more than he knew and had thought about him since he left to board that jet.

“Right now… come on.” I pulled him toward the hall where his bedroom was, and he pulled me back.

He stood there, pulling me back, and then whistled. I heard jingling and saw Mink-Mink running full force at me with a pink blinged out collar around her neck, and a name tag.

“Mink!” I screamed, and fell to the floor as she bulldozed me, licking me all over as I rubbed her all over. Her body was shaking so much because she was so excited to see me. “Girl, what are you doing here... oh man, you smell so good.”

“She should… way she damn near took me down in the shower,” he muttered, and I remembered how Mink wasn’t a big fan of water.

I turned slowly with tears in my eyes as I looked at Landon. “You went and got her… why?”

Hugging Mink around the neck and nuzzling my face with hers, she was so happy to see me. Whenever I had time, I visited her often and tried to take her on a walk around the shelter.

“Just because children aren’t in our future, doesn’t mean we can’t go half on love for Mink. This shit don’t work out, Bleu, I want split custody. I’ll show up to the house in pajamas and call you an unfit mother, too.”

I broke out laughing and stood up, tossing my arms around him. “Thank you so much, baby. Me and Mink will come and visit you anytime.”

“What if I don’t want you visiting me?”

I kissed his lips. “I’ve never lived with a man, and I don’t want to live with a boyfriend.” As much as it would have been nice living here, I wanted to be engaged to be married.

I didn’t want to shack up with a man because he was my boyfriend. My mother didn’t move in with my father until they were engaged and then married a few months later. I refused to do wifely duties for a boyfriend, even if he was a billionaire.

“Heard you.” He kissed my lips. “Mink, bed.”

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