Page 40 of When I Thug You Like That

“Not a collab.” I giggled. “Okay, Chef. Lemme see what you did here.”

Picking up my fork, I scooped up some grits with half a shrimp and paused just before putting it to my mouth. Taina didn’t pretend not to watch. Her eyes were trained on me, waiting for me to taste it.

“Stop playin’ and eat the damn food, Jai.”

“Okay, okay. Can I at least say grace and thank God for the hands that prepared the meal?”

“He already know you thankful for me, eat the food.”

Chuckling, I put the food in my mouth and chewed slowly on purpose. It was good, real good, but I couldn’t let her know that just yet, so I took another bite.

“Hmm.”

“Hmm what? It’s bad? Too salty? Too gritty? What, ho? You ‘bout to piss me off talkin’ bout hmm. You ain’t Gordan Ramsey.”

I couldn’t hold in my smile or laughter. “It’s good, T. This shit good as hell.”

“Bitch, stop playin’ so much!” She smacked my hand. “I worked hard on that. Made my shrimp do the butterfly and all. I woulda been pissed if you ain’t like it.”

“Made your shrimp do what?”

“Oh, that’s Black chef talk meaning I cleaned my shrimp thoroughly in the front and the back.” She nodded.

“Girl done made one dish and now she a chef. Mimosa please.”

“Coming right up, boo.”

She fixed our drinks and sat down next to me with her own plate. It took me no time to eat my way into half of my food. Her non-cooking ass had really pulled off a miracle and had cooked her way into a signature dish already.

“Are there more of these?” I held the last piece of my biscuit up before eating it.

“Yep. I made four. I knew I could feel the appreciation for my culinary skills radiating off you. Go ‘head and get you one.” She held her mimosa in the air to toast me with a satisfied grin.

“Thank you, Chef,” I said, grabbing another one and sitting back down in my seat. “When my baby coming back home?”

“Tomorrow evening. My mother said she’ll make sure he’s showered, fed, and ready for bed when he get here.”

“I’ll cheers to that.”

We clinked glasses.

“I can’t lie though. Last night was a good time, but I know had you not spent the night, I would’ve probably gone over there. You know I’m not used to having the house to myself more than a couple hours when I’m off and he’s in school.”

“Awww, you miss your baby?”

“I do. But I’m basking in the break. You know they are few and far between.”

“And you know that’s your choice.” I sipped my mimosa and looked at her over the rim.

“I know. Baby steps.”

“That’s fair. You deserve your me time. And I encourage you to take more of it.”

“You know what, friend? I’m glad you feel that way. I vote we do R&B Fridays at Sullivan Distillery once a month. We get to enjoy good wine, music, food, and vibes all at the expense of your favorite parent.”

“I knew yo’ ass wasn’t gonna just let last night be last night without sneaking in a recap.”

She chewed and smiled. “That’s because I had such a good time. I got to watch you flirt like you used to.”