Page 134 of Taeja

“I-I don’t know what to say,” Taeja stuttered, staring at the picturewith wide eyes.

Why were Cassedi and Romar hugging so… Taeja didn’t want to say romantically, but the lines between platonic and non-platonic were skewed.

“These are the clothes she was wearing the day she dropped me off,” Taeja said.

“Do you believe me now?” he asked as he concealed the picture in the cover.

Taeja looked at her father through teary eyes. “Yes,” she breathed out. “I’m sorry.”

Jerry gave her a small smile. “It is okay,” he said, standing. “I am going to have a shower. You can show yourself out. Your boyfriend is still in the backyard. I told him I would sue him for trespassing if he came inside.”

Too engrossed in a level-headed conversation with her father, she didn’t remember that she left Damon outside by himself. Taeja’s eyes widened. “How did—”

“I had a motion sensor installed when you started sneaking out. That is before I knew what you were doing. I wanted to be sure that you got home safely,” Jerry said, and tears broke Taeja’s resistance. Jerry watched as it rolled off her cheek and fell onto the album. He sighed before meeting her eyes. “You can keep that if you want to. I miss her sometimes, too.”

23

She rolled her eyes,looking away from him so she could hide her smile.

“Admit that it was funny,” Damon teased.

“Taking pictures while I was hanging upside down the tree was funny?”

“Yes,” Damon said, and Taeja glared. Damon’s smile widened, his eyes dilating as he stared at her.

“Was it funny like you staying in my backyard because you didn’t want my dad to sue you?”

His smile dropped. “Well—”

“Mi nuh waa hear it!”

“But it was your fault. You should’ve used the door.”

“True, but I wanted to see if I still had it.”

“Obviously not,” he said, and she gasped. “I’m joking.”

“You’re not. Because since the other day, you and Zain have been laughing at me nonstop. I can’t believe you showed him the pictures.”

“Where’s the fun in having two boyfriends if we can’t bully you?”

“Whatever. Mi nuh like yu.”

Damon grinned, his eyes raking over her. “Still nervous?”

“Kinda,” she admitted. “Kiss me so I can feel better.”

Damon’s eyes glistened as he leaned in to kiss her, so slowly and softly, Taeja moaned. Pulling away, he smirked when he saw her hooded eyes. “Better?”

“Yeah,” she breathed.

“Good. It looks like they’re ready for us.”

Taeja looked toward the helicopter. Two workers were approaching her and Damon.

“Hey!” greeted Nyla. “I hope you got over the nerves.”

Taeja chuckled. “Somewhat.”

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