It Must Be Love

“Every now and then. Good to see you and congratulations on your newest addition.” Sterling gestured toward Kirsten.

The men chatted for a few moments, touching on their professions and current ventures.

Sterling got a drink from the bar and continued to mingle until he heard a familiar voice shout over the crowd. He laughed, rolled his eyes upward and looked in the direction of the obnoxious voice of his best friend, Noah.

“What’s up, dude?” Noah had his arm around a woman whose neckline plunged down to her navel. He didn’t bother to introduce the woman.

Sterling smiled and shook her hand anyway. “What’s up, man?”

“Let’s get this party started.” Noah raised his drink in the air. “Oxford!” he yelled.

“Oh yeah!” Sterling and a few guys cupped their hands around their mouths and responded the way they had back in high school during games.

Noah’s shout raised the level of excitement on the terrace and the chatter grew louder. Familiar faces shifted throughout the space, offering greetings and conjuring up memories of their school days. Midlaugh, Sterling’s eyes landed on a stunning woman with straight, jet-black hair framing the sides of her beautiful face. The navy cocktail dress hugged her curves as if it were made right on her body.

Sterling narrowed his eyes—examining her from a distance. She held the same grace and flair from her teens. Only now it was enhanced with a womanly essence. He found himself wondering if she had married. Sterling brought his snifter to his lips and sipped. He still hadn’t taken his eyes off her. In fact, he enjoyed watching her gracefully maneuver through the crowd. She moved like she had music in her flesh—flowing instead of walking, swaying with the cool breeze of the night air. Other men followed her with their eyes, too. He wasn’t concerned about them.

Chimes rang, followed by a soothing voice ushering them into the main dining area so that the festivities could begin. The voice seemed like it was made just for these announcements.

Sterling watched as she swayed into the main room. The smile planted on his face was held on its own volition. She did it. She made him smile. Sterling looked at his card, checked his table number and looked for it. He put his drink down when he found his seat and then scanned the space again to find her. She was preparing to sit a few tables over. Drawn, he went to her.

“Good evening, ladies. Remember me? How are you doing? You all look lovely tonight.”

“Hey, Sterling!” Dominique said.

“Good evening,” Jewel said with a confident smile.

“It has been so long. How are you?” Harper chimed in.

“I’m very well.” He answered the ladies but made direct eye contact with Jewel. He glanced at her left hand. No ring. Suddenly he was glad he decided to show up.

Chapter 5 (#ubb662c22-3c27-5e66-8fd9-8ceb0e69ba20)

Jewel wanted to look away but couldn’t seem to tear her gaze from Sterling’s striking hazel eyes. Good Lord that man was all kinds of handsome! Great bone structure, beautiful teeth, tall, athletic build, and now even more good-looking than he was back in school. Of course she remembered him. Sterling had matured into his manliness extremely well.

Jewel picked up the glass of ice water at her table setting and sipped. It was the only way to break the intense gaze and keep her cool. She could still feel his eyes on her. When she looked up, he wore a gentle smile, revealing those pearly whites framed by luscious lips. His erect posture exuded confidence. Jewel found that and his stylish, well-made suit sexy.

“What are you doing these days?” Harper asked him.

Jewel wished they would cut the small talk so he could walk away and allow her to breathe. Neither of them caught her drift when she fell silent. Dominique and Harper continued to engage Sterling, yet his eyes were glued to her. Jewel grew hot under the collar even though she had on a strapless dress.

She remained silent as the rest of them swapped stories about life since high school. Though she didn’t partake verbally, she absorbed every word that fell from Sterling’s full lips. He listened as much as he talked and Jewel liked that. Even when he spoke of his success, it didn’t sound like bragging. He wasn’t trying to impress them. Sterling was being himself—cool, confident.

Jewel shook her head. Why was she summing him up? She wasn’t interested in this man. She continued to listen but couldn’t help her muscles from tightening when Sterling pulled out pictures of his precious six-year-old daughter and spoke about his ex now living in Chicago with her. It was obvious that he was smitten by the pretty little lady with the adorable mess of curls on top of her head. Everything he’d just said made what she was feeling come crashing to an abrupt halt when he uttered the words my daughter and ex-wife. Jewel looked at the picture, offered a cordial smile and sat back, unfastening herself from Sterling’s intangible draw.

She cleared her throat, which captured their attention. “Excuse me.” She put the glass back down on the table.

“What about you, Jewel? What have you been up to?” Sterling’s grin made her pulse quicken and she wanted to excuse herself again.

What was happening here? “Working the family business,” she said as if it was no big deal that she was heir to a billion-dollar food empire.

“I see.” His response felt compressed. There was so much more behind those two words. Jewel could feel it.

“Hey, ladies!” Noah stepped up, bringing a fresh wind of excitement. His voice boomed, reaching their ears clearly over the hum of the crowd.

“Noah Hamilton!” At first, Harper parked her hands on her hips and then opened her arms for a hug.

“Long time no see, but you’re all still gorgeous.” He passed out hugs and kisses to each one of them.

“How’s it going, Noah?” Dominique asked after their embrace.

“I can’t complain. My dad always said that no one even listens anyway!

“Jewel!” Noah raised his brow. “Life’s been good to you.”

“Yes. Thank you, Noah. You look great!”

“You ladies wouldn’t mind if I stole Sterling for a moment would you?”

“Not at all,” Jewel offered up quickly.

Harper widened her eyes at Jewel. Dominique closed hers for a brief moment and sighed before chuckling. Sterling grinned.

“See you around, ladies.” Sterling lifted his glass before walking off with Noah.

The second he left, Dominique and Harper looked sharply at Jewel who flopped back in her chair.

“Did you see how he looked at you?” Dominique’s hand flew to her chest.

“What. Was. That. About?” Harper sat and fanned herself.

“I don’t know,” Jewel said.

“He wouldn’t take his eyes off you, Jewel. I must say.” Dominique picked up a glass of water. “Sterling Bishop has certainly grown into one fine specimen. I could see you two together,” Dominique added. “He’s gorgeous. You’re beautiful. If the two of you walked down the street together, you’d give people whiplash from trying to look too hard. Ha!” Tickled by her own comment, Dominique actually slapped her knee.

“Sterling Bishop and I could never be an item. Did you forget he just proudly showed us pictures of his little girl and said the word ex-wife?” Jewel shuddered dramatically, generating another round of laughter.

“You are so theatrical,” Dominique waved her hand dismissively.

“No one said you had to marry him.” Harper shrugged.

“Nope. And I don’t believe he’s an Ivy League man, either. We’re not compatible at all!” Jewel lifted her chin punctuating her summation as if the discussion was over.

Dominique twisted her lips at Jewel. “Even you don’t believe that!”

Harper cackled.

“At the very least, I’d say he’s great for a few dates. It doesn’t have to be anything serious if you know what I mean?” Dominique winked.