Page 253 of Taeja

Chuckling, Liyah pulled away and dried her tears.

Taeja smiled. “Thank your fiancé, too. He got Gordon to secure you a President’s scholarship if you decide to pursue grad school here.”

Liyah’s mouth fell. “What?”

“Links run the world, Liyah.”

“Oh, my God.” Liyah wiped the back of her hand across her eyes. More tears ran down her cheeks. “Mi feel fi drop down.”

Taeja laughed. “Please don’t.”

“I have no friends, but I swear you make up for it.” She pulled Taeja into a tight hug. “Thank you, Tae. This means so much to me!”

Grinning, Taeja pulled away and wiped the tears from Liyah’s cheek. “Make sure you put it on Masonrealgood tonight.”

“Might give him a baby, too,” Liyah said, and Taeja laughed.

After they said their goodbyes, Taeja walked toward where her boyfriends, mother, and father waited.

Two months ago, Jerry returned from his trip and demanded Teddy return Cassedi’s documents. Cassedi returned to America and got a job as a psychologist. They’d been working on their relationship since then — through marriage counseling, frequent date nights, and welcoming God back into their union.

Despite wearing her wedding ring again, Cassedi insisted they weren’t completely back together. She didn’t want to live with Jerry yet, so he bought her a house close to his.

Every time Taeja visited either of her parents’ houses, they’d both be there, breathless with ruffled clothes.

Taeja wished she was still innocent. Were her parents rabbits? They were too old to be going on that way.

It was a good thing though…

Jerry became a better father. He looked like he was aging backward now. Life was looking up for him since he cut the cancerous Teddy off. The last Taeja heard, the old hag moved out of state.

“There is our graduate!” Jerry exclaimed, tugging Taeja into a hug while Cassedi smiled at them. “Congratulations, baby girl!”

Taeja grinned, hugging him. “Thanks, Jerry.”

“I’m so proud of you,” Cassedi said, her eyes teary as she pulled Taeja into a hug after Jerry released her.

“Sas Crise, Cassedi! I can’t breathe,” Taeja choked out.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Cassedi pulled back. “I’m just so happy that I got to be here for you.”

Warmth filled Taeja’s chest. “I am, too.”

Jerry grinned, pulling Cassedi to him by the waist and grazing her belly with his fingers. “It is getting colder out here.” He glared at the men standing on both sides of Taeja. “Get her home safely.”

Zain scoffed.

Damon nodded and said as cordially as he could, “We will.”

Taeja sighed. All these months, and her father and boyfriends still didn’t get along. They bickered on every occasion, but they hadn’t fought again, so she was thankful.

“I’ll see you later,” she told her parents.

They nodded and walked away. Jerry opened the door for Cassedi. After she was settled, Jerry entered the vehicle and drove away.

Taeja faced her men with a bright smile. “I did it!”

They grinned.

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