“Hey, girl,” Michelle said when she opened the door. She bent and hugged both children. “Corey, I think you grew again.”
Corey nodded. “That’s because I’m a big boy. I’m going to a sleepover.”
“Wow. That sounds like fun.”
Alisha smiled. “Hey, Chelle.” They embraced.
“Come on back. I have Jade in the family room watching a Disney movie. I’m hoping that will keep her occupied for at least thirty minutes so we can get the decorations up outside.”
“Lia!” Jade jumped up from the floor and ran across the room. She and Lia hugged each other like they hadn’t seen each other in years. “Look.” She pointed to the television and clapped. “The Princess and the Frog.”
Alisha chuckled as Lia, Jade and Corey settled themselves in front of the screen. She turned to Michelle. “What do you need me to do?”
“Follow me. We can keep an eye on them through the sliding glass door.” She led Alisha outside to the backyard, where her husband, Chris, was setting up tables.
Chris paused in his task to greet Alisha. “Hey, Alisha. How’s it going?”
“Crazy busy, as always. How’s college life?”
“About to kick into full gear. I already have students coming up to me, asking if they have to read all the pages from the chapters listed on the syllabus.” He shook his head. “It’s going to be a long semester.”
She laughed. “Maybe all those first-year chemistry students will get it together.”
“And maybe I’ll win the lottery this weekend.” He went back to the tables.
Alisha and Michelle covered the tables with plastic tablecloths, hung streamers and balloons, and placed the Doc McStuffins–themed centerpieces on the tables.
“Oh, I have to show you what my brother and Chris made for the kids.” Michelle nearly dragged Alisha to the garage. She gestured with a flourish. “Aren’t they amazing? I hadn’t planned on having all the kids here long enough to show a short movie, but I can’t let all their hard work go to waste.”
Alisha stared at the eight cardboard cars in awe. “They made these?” She walked over to view them more closely. “And there’s a cupholder and food tray. I didn’t know Chris was so talented.”
Michelle snorted. “He’s not. Jabari is. Chris just followed directions.”
“I thought Jabari was in the service.”
“I didn’t tell you he retired eight months ago and is home for good?”
“No.” She remembered Michelle’s brother being much older from the pictures her friend had shared of the handsome air force officer over the years. “I know you’re happy.” Michelle had had a hard time with him being gone so long.
“I am. He’ll be here later, so you’ll finally get to meet him.”
“Okay. Oh, I need to leave for a short time to drop Corey off at his friend’s house for a sleepover that starts at noon.”
“That’s fine. Lia probably won’t even notice you’re gone.”
They went back inside, peeked in on the kids and then went to prepare the food. Michelle had decided on mini hot dogs, mini pizzas with cheese or pepperoni, and fruit.
“They’ll have Goldfish crackers, pretzels and juice boxes while watching the movie. I’m thinking about letting them take the cupcakes home. Their parents can deal with the sugar high,” Michelle added with a chuckle.
“Well, if they eat them near the end of the party, the parent will still have to deal with it. So either way works. Do you want me to put these pizzas in the oven now, or wait until closer to the time you plan to serve the food?”
Michelle tapped her finger on the counter. “Let’s wait. I’m sure everyone won’t be here right at twelve, so they can play a few of the games.”
“Okay.” Alisha washed her hands. “I’ll start on the fruit.” She cut pineapple and strawberries into bite-size pieces, washed grapes and divided them into small cups. The individual portions would make it easier to control and prevent little hands from touching everything on the platter.
Chris called out to Michelle through the screen door.
“Let me go see what he wants.”
Alisha rinsed the cutting board and knife and disposed of the empty strawberry containers and pineapple skin. On the way to the trash, she dropped a couple of pieces. She bent to pick them up.
“Well, hello.”
She whirled around at the sound of the deep, masculine voice. Anything she planned to say died on her tongue. Standing in front of her was over six feet of pure rich chocolate fineness. The pictures she had seen of Michelle’s brother hadn’t come close to capturing his good looks. The upright posture and low haircut spoke to his military background, as did the well-defined muscles of his chest and arms. She shook herself. Grabbing a towel, she quickly wiped her hands and extended the right one. “I’m Alisha, Michelle’s friend. Sorry about the backside introduction. I usually start with the face first.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Believe me, I don’t have a problem with either. Jabari Sutton. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alisha.” He grasped her hand and smiled.
As if the sound of his voice and the glint of desire in his dark eyes hadn’t been enough, the moment he touched her, sparks of awareness shot up her arm and her heart skipped a beat. That had never happened before. The last thing she needed in her life right now was a smooth-talking man. A slow grin made its way over his face. Alisha snatched her hand back. Not good. So not good.
Copyright © 2019 by Sheryl Lister
ISBN-13: 9781488034398
Love in New York & Cherish My Heart
Copyright © 2019 by Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
Love in New York
Copyright © 2019 by Shirley Hailstock
Cherish My Heart
Copyright © 2019 by Janice Sims
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Love in New York ; Cherish My Heart Page 33