Chapter17:

_Leah's POV_ Tariq and I walked into the kitchen together, both trying to act normal after the tension-filled morning. Susan was already at the table, pouring syrup over a fresh stack of pancakes. She smiled warmly when she saw us. "There you are, Tariq!" Susan said cheerfully. "I was beginning to think you had disappeared." Tariq, always quick with an excuse, grinned and said, "Sorry, Mom. I got a little sidetracked this morning. One of my friends needed help and I went to meet him." I glanced at him, surprised by how smoothly he lied without a hint of guilt. Susan, however, seemed none the wiser. She simply nodded and gestured toward the table. "Well, I am glad that you’re here now. Sit down and eat before the pancakes get cold." I took a seat across from Tariq, my stomach flipping nervously. I was still a little shaken from what had almost happened between us earlier. Every time our eyes met, a warmth spread through me, but I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the food in fron