Page 86 of Taeja

“Thanks. I’m trying my best to get used to this new dynamic, so I’m sorry if either of you thinks I prefer one of you over the next,” she said. “When you come over tonight, can we talk? All three of us.”

“We’ll do whatever you want,” he said, making her smile. “I have to go—”

“Wait,” she rushed out. “Do you know if Zain likes yellow?”

“He hates yellow. Why?”

“He said I can redecorate his house.”

Damon paused. “Oh…”

Taeja’s brows knitted. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, baby. You’re perfect,” he said, and she imagined him smiling. “He likes dark earth-tone colors.”

“Noted.”

“I’ll see you later. I have to get back to work.”

“Bye, babe,” she said, but he didn’t hang up. “Damon?”

He was smug when he said, “I prefer babe.”

Rolling her eyes, Taeja laughed. “Bye,Damon!” she teased and hung up.

In a slightly better mood, Taeja walked around the house with a notepad she found lingering around. She jotted down notes and drew little images of how she pictured a room before moving on to the next. She’d never had control before to decorate anywhere except her bedroom, so she was happy Zain gave her this opportunity.

Minutes dragged on until a car horn blared from outside.

“Wonder if dem know that blowing the horn nago mek mi come any faster?” Taeja muttered while pulling out her cornrows. With gentle strokes, she ran her fingers through her curls, savoring the sensation, before using a comb to bring out the fullness and volume of her curly afro. It framed her face elegantly. Her dangling earrings disappeared into her cascading hair, but their shimmer managed to break through the strands. “So gyal fi look!” Taeja blew a kiss toward her reflection before grabbing her purse and heading downstairs. She locked the front door before strolling toward the car.

Liyah whistled as Taeja settled on the back seat. “You’re making me question my sexuality.”

Taeja laughed as Mason drove off. “That’s all you! I love your dress. You have to let me borrow it one day.”

Liyah smiled while admiring her blue formal dress that had a light silver glistening. “I told Mason I didn’t have anything to wear, and he bought it before he came over.”

“My standards just went up,” Taeja said before directing to Mason, “You have taste.”

Mason smiled. “I know. My older sister taught me a thing or two.”

“She used to dress you up?”

“Every day.”

Liyah laughed. “When we get to your family’s house, you should show me more of your baby pics.”

“I showed you some already—”

“No. Those were from when you were six. I wanna see you when you still had a cute butt.”

Mason scoffed. “It’s not cute now?”

Taeja scowled. “Unu stop it! How much longer until we get there?”

“About twenty minutes if the traffic stays like this.”

Taeja nodded and looked at her phone. Zain had yet to answer her, but she didn’t make much of it. He was probably still in the meeting he told her about.

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