_Leah's POV_

Susan stood at the doorway, her eyes wide with surprise. “What’s going on here?” she asked, her tone playful but curious.

I immediately pulled back from Tariq, my cheeks burning. I stared down at the ground, too shy to meet Susan’s gaze. My heart was pounding in my chest, not from fear this time, but from the intensity of the kiss and the realization of what had just happened.

Tariq groaned softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mom,” he said with a sigh, “can you give us a minute?”

Susan didn’t move. Instead, she stepped closer to me, her expression softening. “Leah,” she said gently, reaching out...