The questions came too fast for him to answer. He smiled. “Not anymore. Yes. And Yes.”
Emily tittered, rubbing her hands up and down his arm. “Aren’t you an eyeful? Shame on your ex-wife. I would have never let you get away from me.” Her smile eased into a seductive snicker. “Here.” She finally released him and went back to her side of the table. “Let me get you situated.” She handed Sterling his name badge and a program booklet. “This is your directory. It’s complete with names, professions and business contact information from everyone in our graduating class.” She tilted her shoulder forward. “My email and telephone number is on page forty-four. Feel free to use it.” She winked.
“Thank you. I appreciate that,” Sterling said, pinning his badge to his suit jacket. “See you around?”
“You sure will.” Emily tucked her bottom lip into her mouth and shimmied. “Enjoy the party,” she purred.
Sterling gave her a quick, polite nod and entered the double doors leading to the cocktail reception on the terrace.
“Sterling? Is that you?”
Sterling turned and was face-to-face with his high school sweetheart. Her green eyes sparkled and her skin glowed.
“Kirsten!” A genuine smile crossed his lips. The two hugged.
Immediately after the hug, she stepped back. Sterling noticed her swollen belly and raised a brow with a smile.
Kirsten gently placed her hand on her belly. “Yes. My husband and I are expecting...again!” Playfully she rolled her eyes. “Honey. Come.” She waved a broad-shouldered gentleman over. “This is Sterling Bishop.”
He pointed at Sterling before shaking his hand. “I remember you. Captain of the basketball team, right? John Wales.” He pointed to himself. “From Waldorf Academy. You guys gave us a real run for our money in the playoffs our senior year.”
Recognition came to Sterling right away. “John! Yes. We worked our asses off for that win. You guys weren’t letting up.”
“Ha! Still playing?”
“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.
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