Page 217 of Taeja

“What’s wrong?” Turning to look at her, Zain gripped the counter behind him. His arm muscles flexed.

“I’m thinking about my dad.”

“What about him?”

“Do you think I should answer the next time he calls?”

Zain shrugged. “You know how I feel about him.”

“I want a direct answer, Zain…”

He walked toward her. Stopping beside her, he kissed her forehead. “I can’t answer that for you.” He took the bottle from her hand and doused the salad in more dressing.

Taeja chuckled. “I’m trying to spend more time with you in the kitchen, and all you do is correct everything I do.”

“I’m helping you help me.” He smirked as she rolled her eyes. “Damon should be home from work soon.”

“Do you always cook for him?”

“Been cooking for him since we were little.”

“I bet he likes that.”

“He loves it. Should I set the table, or do you want to?”

Taeja blushed as she remembered what happened at that table. “I don’t think we should eat there—”

“Damon bought a new table.”

“Oh… I can’t wait for us to finish decorating our other house tomorrow.”

“You’re starting your internship tomorrow, yet that’s what’s on your mind?”

Taeja smiled. “Yes.”

Zain smirked, and at the same time, laughter drifted from the foyer. Taeja tipped and kissed him, then walked away to grab some plates. Zain watched as she walked off. She swayed her hips seductively, loving how riled up Zain got when she teased him. Just as she got done setting the table and Zain brought out some food, Damon entered the dining room. He looked great in his formal attire, briefcase in one hand, and phone in the other.

Damon walked toward Taeja and kissed her forehead before showing her the phone. “Look who wants to say hi.”

Taeja smiled at her mom. “Unu turn one piece of big friend, eeh?”

Cassedi chuckled. “I was just keeping his company while he drove home from work. I see that you’re going to have dinner, so I’ll go now—”

“A so late dem eat dinner? Mi cudn survive a foreign,” Wayne said from thebackground.

Cassedi rolled her eyes. “Yaa gwan like nobody tell yu seh dem want yu ina dem country.”

Zain placed the salad bowl on the table before walking toward them. He stood to the right of Taeja. “Night, Cassedi.”

Cassedi smiled. “Big chef Zain! Hope Taeja nuh stress yu.”

Zain smirked as Taeja gasped. He shook his head at Cassedi. “She was a good help,” he said, pausing as ZsaZsa’s face filled the screen with a bright smile. “Hey, ZsaZsa…”

ZsaZsa waved.

“You good?” Zain asked, and Taeja smiled at his attempt to make his voice softer.

As ZsaZsa nodded, Taeja’s smile widened. “Later, Cassedi. We ago eat before the food cold.”

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