Some days, she resented him for that and gave him the nastiest attitude. Some days, she appreciated him more than he could ever know and wanted to be up under him twenty-four seven.
It had been a rollercoaster, to say the least, but Prosper had stuck by her side through it all.
He still ran his empire alongside Lamar, but he’d started to take more of a back seat. He showed his face less and made moves behind the scenes so his days were freed up to spend time with Teonny.
They went on dates, they traveled to new cities, they volunteered, and some days, they just stayed in bed all day and loved on each other. It didn’t matter what they did; even on Teonny’s worst days, they had a good time together.
Today was a good day for her. So good that she decided to do something nice for Prosper. Over the past few months, he had planned everything they did because she literally didn’t have the willpower. Today, she felt some of that willpower coming back to her, and she wanted to show her appreciation.
She hummed to the song playing through the speaker as she moved around the kitchen. Prosper’s home was large and had everything her dream home would have. She felt right at home the first time he brought her there, and he even let her redecorate to her liking. She smiled at the large portrait of Angel that she could see over in the living room from where she stood.
“Mommy loves you, baby.” Teonny blew the picture a kiss.
She loved days like today where she could think about Angel and not feel a huge sense of guilt or pain. Days like today allowed her to think about her baby and all their good memories, and her spirits were lifted.
“What you down here doin’?” Prosper asked as he came down the glass stairs from the second floor.
Teonny grinned. “Hey, baby.”
“’Sup?” He kissed her lips when he reached her and then pulled back. “You ain’t answer my question.”
Teonny grinned before she spread her arms wide. “A grilled cheese competition.”
“’Scuse me?” Prosper asked with a grin. He loved when she was playful like this.
“Three rounds. One appetizer round, one main course, one dessert. All grilled cheeses. Loser has to pay for the next vacation. Winner . . . gets head right here in the kitchen.” She paused dramatically. “For as long as they want.”
Prosper chuckled. “You know I make the best grilled cheese in the world, right?”
Teonny did know that. They’d bonded over grilled cheese many nights in the past few months.
“But you always make yours the same way. Just because you make the best doesn’t mean you’ll win this. All three have to be different.”
Prosper peered down at her with a goofy grin. “Aight, Peanut. You’re on, but don’t you dare cheat.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
He chuckled and then eyed the ingredients on the center island. “This what you went to the store for?”
“Yup. Had to make sure we had everything we needed. I have all the cheeses, different kinds of breads, spreads, dips, condiments, and meats.”
“I feel like you kind of already cheated because you probably know what you gonna make already.”
Her brows raised. “You backing out?”
“Nah. Let’s go. Is there a time limit?”
“Forty-five minutes.”
“Lightwork.”
She giggled and pulled her phone out. “Okay, time starts . . . now!”
They raced around the center island, snatching up ingredients. When Prosper grabbed the pears, Teonny stomped her foot playfully. “You don’t even eat pears!”
He chuckled. “I just saw you eying them.”
“You better use them too.” Teonny mugged him before she snatched up the cheddar cheese and the American cheese, both of which he always used in his traditional grilled cheese.
