Page 165 of Taeja

Shaking her head, Taeja crossed her arms. “No. What you did doesn’t answer my question.”

Zain’s brow raised. “That didn’t answer your question?”

“I want you to say it.”

“I don’t have to confirm what you already know.” Zain tilted his head to the side. “What? That wouldn’t hold up in court?”

Taeja rolled her eyes. “Burn up the house next since as everything in here already get touched by whatever she waa name.”

“Don’t be like that,” Damon said. “We just talked about this.”

“That’s before me realize that the two of you have secrets.” She glared at them. “If this relationship is going to be built on lies, then it won’t work. I never lie to you guys about anything, and now I’m realizing you keep stuff from me. Was I wrong the other day when I said someone was here?”

Damon scratched the back of his head. “Uh…”

“Someone was here,” Zain said.

Taeja laughed dryly, her throat tightening as she looked away from them. “Wow. Just wow.”

Damon sighed. “I didn’t want you getting angry.”

She snapped her head in his direction, a fire in her eyes as she hissed, “How did that work, Damon? Eeh?! Mi nuh care if unu a try distance me from the past, it’s the principle of how you guys do things. I’m new to this and I’m trying my best, but you’re making it hard for me if you’re going to—”

Damon stood from the island and walked toward her. He grabbed her face and kissed her hard. Taeja didn’t return the kiss. She pursed her lips when he pulled back.

“Sorry,” Damon said gently. “It won’t happen again. We promise.”

Taeja looked from Damon to Zain. “I want to hear you say it this time.”

Zain walked toward her. He grabbed her wrist, then linked her pinky with his. “It won’t happen again. We promise,” he said. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic,” she said dryly, and he stared at her for a moment before releasing her hand and returning to the pot on the stove.

Damon released her face. “I have to go to the office for an emergency meeting, but I’ll be back for dinner.”

“Okay.”

Damon left and Taeja sat at the island, watching Zain scrape the scraps of burnt fabric into the trash can. “You need to come clean to Damon.”

“About?”

“Why you hate Liza.”

Zain tensed before relaxing. “No.”

“It’s killing me to keep this from him—”

“Don’t you think it’s killing me, too?” he asked. “My brother will do anything for me. Even if it means cutting off the person who’s been helping him more than I can. Everyone’s got this situation all wrong, and if either of them knew the truth, it’d ruin their friendship. I’m not telling Damon anything, and you’re not either.”

She huffed. “Alright. But know seh my mouth a old fridge. If I slip up one day, it’s on you.”

Zain chuckled. “Come stir the pot.”

Taeja did as told. “Where are you going?” she asked, watching him wash his hands in the sink.

“Out.”

“I can’t cook as good as you. Suppose I burn the house down?”

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