Page 14 of Intentional Foul
Anissa shook her head at her son as I widened my eyes in his direction. Marquise’s smirked nearly unraveled me. This was not the time for him to be playing around.
“Jhae, you’re dating?” Anissa asked as she moved around the kitchen.
I calmed my facial expression before I turned and answered. “It’s time, and I think I’m going for someone older, more established,” I said.
“Caleb is still interested,” Anissa said, and I cringed on the inside. He’s attractive but he bored me to tears. There isn’t a spark between us. The bulk of our conversation was him tellingme I’m beautiful. Where was his depth? At this point, I might have to date him to get Malcolm to back off.
“He is handsome and established,” I said, and Marquise scoffed.
“Don’t pay Marquise any mind. I think you and Caleb would be cute together. Double date?” Anissa suggested.
I smiled, selecting a piece of celery. The moment she turned her back, Marquise and I latched eyes. He crinkled his nose, judging me.
With the island loaded with unprepared food, I rolled up my sleeves to lend a hand.
“Tell me what to do,” I said to Anissa.
“Potato salad,” Marquise requested from behind me.
Anissa burst into laughter as she seasoned more meat in the aluminum pans.
“Jhae, you know your potato salad be fire. Quit playing and hook it up. Add your garden salad and baked beans to the list,” he said.
I placed my hand on my hip and glared in his direction. He pointed towards the potatoes resting on the island.
“I’ll be your test taster,” he offered.
“No!” Anissa and I said simultaneously.
I ditched my oversized shirt for my tank and washed my hands. With Anissa and me sharing the space, I positioned myself on the opposite side of the island. Peeler in hand, I removed the skin from one potato and secured the next with ease.
“Mom, I grabbed two bottles,” Malcolm said as he entered the kitchen with a bag.
The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention as we made eye contact. I snatched my gaze away, selecting another potato.
“Thank you, baby. Can you take your dad the meat?” Anissa asked, pointing toward the covered pan.
“Sure, Mom. Hi, Jhae, can I get my hug?” he asked, mischief coating his posture and his eyes.
I lifted the potato. “Hands dirty,” I said.
“Wash them,” he instructed.
I paused my hands from gliding over my potato and exhaled hard. Malcolm stood at the tip of the island with the expectation I would follow his command. Fire rushed through me as I bit down on my bottom lip. We made eye contact, and he smirked.
“Malcolm, stop messing with Jhae and take this to your dad,” Anissa instructed, pointing to the pan again.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said to Anissa.
Instead of taking the route that made sense, he squeezed behind me, brushing my back. My chest jumped as our bodies connected. With Anissa’s back turned, he lifted the pan with his eyes focused on me. The determination resting on his shoulders and tight jawline debunked my initial assessment and I made the decision to leave after I finished the potato salad before he reached the bi-fold doors. Marquise snickered, and I narrowed my eyes.
I counted to ten in silence as I lifted the next potato. Tunneling my anger into my task, I cleared the skin of the potatoes, one right after another.
“Jhae!” Anissa said, and I jumped.
“Yeah,” I responded.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
