Love Takes Time by Adrianne Byrd

that—I’m going to be an older sister,” she boasted, though a lump still swelled in her throat, choking her.
    Her father beamed as he released her hand and then crushed her against his chest. “Oh, baby girl. I knew that you’d be happy for us.”
    Tears burned at the back of her eyes as she soaked in her father’s affection. “Yes, Dad. I’m really happy for you.”
    Â 
    Roger and Kitty Hinton surprised Alfred and Estelle and their small wedding party by treating them to the exclusive five-star Magnolia’s restaurant. The entire Hinton staff and their spouses were in attendance, and quite frankly it was a shock to Alyssa to see Beatrice down a whole bottle of Dom Pérignon by herself. On the opposite end, the more Antonio drank the more Italian he spoke.
    Kitty spent most of the time slipping Billy Dee Williams the third, her much-beloved and bejeweled Chihuahua, pieces of filet mignon and cooing, “Aw. That’s a good mama’s baby.”
    Alyssa shook her head at the way the woman continued to baby that dog.
    The food was rich and bountiful. The laughs were loud and contagious, but most of all, Alfred and Estelle were happy. Wasn’t that all that mattered?
    Forever on a diet, Alyssa and Tangie picked over their food and instead just indulged in how wonderful everything smelled.
    To Alyssa’s surprise, Sterling made an effort to include Tangie in conversation. “So what is it that you do, Ms. Graham? I seem to remember you andAlyssa being quite the dynamic duo when you were younger. Like the time when you two had a giant bubble bath in the Jacuzzi.”
    Alyssa and Tangie glanced at each other and giggled at the memory.
    â€œYou remember that?” Tangie asked.
    â€œIt’s kind of hard not to remember half the back lawn overflowing with strawberry bubble bath,” he chuckled.
    â€œIt was Alyssa’s idea,” Tangie confessed, pointing at her best friend. “ She poured the whole bottle in there.”
    Alyssa gasped. “Judas!”
    They laughed. When they’d calmed down, Tangie answered Sterling’s question. “Well, actually, we’re still a dynamic duo. I’m Ally’s assistant.”
    â€œA wonderful assistant at that,” Alyssa said, pumping up her friend. “She keeps my head and my schedule straight. I would be completely lost without her.”
    â€œOh, is that right?” Sterling said, nodding. “Have you thought about modeling yourself?”
    The question clearly surprised Tangie. She had long thought that the extra weight on her short frame disqualified her in the modeling profession. Alyssa lost count how many times she’d tried to open Tangie’s eyes to her own beauty, only to have her friend find fault with everything from her slight double chin to her thick thighs.
    Sterling’s innocence and sincerity would no doubtdo wonders for Tangie’s self-esteem, and Alyssa was grateful to him for that. Of course, Sterling had always had such a kind heart, though he usually buried himself in work so very few people got a chance to see it.
    She watched him out of the corners of her eyes for a few seconds.
    â€œYou sure are quiet,” Quentin said. His warm breath rushed against her ear and sent a delicious thrill through her.
    â€œI’m just enjoying the evening,” she answered, taking a quick glance over her shoulder. “What about you?”
    Quentin eased in close. “I’m enjoying myself now and, of course when I won that kiss this afternoon.”
    â€œYou didn’t win,” she reminded him.
    â€œYou have your version and I have mine. Either way, I walked away with a kiss.”
    â€œI felt sorry for you.”
    â€œThen maybe I should fall down more often.”
    Alyssa chuckled and shook her head. “You know you would have never won that race. Everyone knows you’re a lousy rider.”
    â€œAha! So you were setting me up