Free Love Takes Time by Adrianne Byrd Page A

should have heard her when Antonio picked us up at the airport in the limo. Mark my words, she’ll have Dad investing in hybrids by the time we leave here.”
    Sterling laughed and grabbed a few bags.
    â€œThen she’ll definitely have her work cut out for her,” he said, climbing up the stairs behind his older brother.
    â€œDon’t underestimate her. She’s on this whole environmental kick now. Our entire house is under major construction to be more eco-friendly. Solar panels, wind turbines—consider yourself warned,” Jonas said, entering their usual guest room.
    â€œConsider himself warned about what?” Toni asked. She placed little Denzel in bed.
    â€œNothing,” Jonas lied, but he looked as though he had just got caught with his hand inside the cookie jar.
    Toni’s eyes narrowed, but a smile curved thecorners of her lips. “How many times have I told you you’re a horrible liar?”
    â€œToo many times to count.” Jonas rolled his eyes as he slipped a loving arm around Toni’s waist.
    â€œUh-huh.” She peppered his cheek with kisses. “So what were you two talking about?”
    â€œNothing much. We were just talking about Sterling’s…love life,” Jonas tried lying again.
    This time Toni took the bait. “Really?”
    Sterling frowned, wondering why his brother was so determined to hang him out to dry.
    â€œAre you seeing someone?” Toni asked. Her eyes shone.
    Sterling didn’t like being put on the spot. “No—not exactly,” he said. “You know me—work, work, work.”
    Disappointment pinched Toni’s face. “We’re going to have to do something about that. You’re a great guy and…”
    â€œI’m sure you will make some lucky woman a great husband,” said Sterling and Jonas, finishing her sentence for her.
    â€œThat really is a horrible thing to say to someone, honey,” Jonas said.
    Toni crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze between the two brothers. “Fine. Just forget I said anything.”
    Sterling was happy to do just that when she pointed a finger at him. “But you’re not getting any younger, and all the money in the world can’t replace the love of a good woman. It’s not the end of theworld to settle down and start a family. Isn’t that right, honey?” Toni slid into Jonas’s arms.
    â€œRight, baby.”
    The smile that spread across Jonas’s face stirred Sterling’s jealousy. “I’m getting out of here. You two are nauseating.”
    â€œOh, Sterling, come back,” Toni called after him, but he was determined to make his escape while he still had the chance.
    â€œBaby, let him go. He’s a big boy. He’ll know when it’s time for him to settle down.” Jonas laughed. “It’ll be right about the time he goes insane.”

Chapter 7
    A lyssa couldn’t believe how nervous she was to actually be meeting her father’s girlfriend. Not girlfriend but fiancée and future stepmother. The title was a hard one to get used to. Throughout her life, she couldn’t remember a single time when her father showed any interest in a woman. If he’d ever dated after her mother’s death, he certainly kept it from her. But what if she didn’t like this woman? What if she was some evil, wicked stepmother with two horrible daughters like in “Cinderella”?
    Alyssa perked up.
    Did Estelle have children of her own? She had no clue and it hadn’t occurred to her to ask her father. She suddenly felt uneasy with the idea of sharing herfather’s affection—not just with another woman but possibly with a whole other family. Even as the thought drifted across her mind, she realized that she was being selfish. Still, there was a part of her that couldn’t help it. She had become so accustomed to being Daddy’s little girl that she didn’t know