Page 223 of A Matter of Time

“See? You love Dane, I know that, but you’re gonna be Aja Harcourt, not Mrs. Dane Harcourt.”

She nodded. “That’s true too.”

I shrugged. “That’s how I knew. All those other women just wanted to disappear inside him. You, we’re still gonna be able to see.”

She stopped suddenly and stared at me. “You have been amazing since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

“I wanted you for my brother,” I assured her.

“And I’m so glad you’re going to be mine.”

“But you gotta be sweet to the one you already have.”

She frowned again. “He better shape up, because if he ruins my wedding…so help me God, I will ruin him permanently.”

“Okay, now you’re gettin’ a little spooky.”

“Oh, Jory.” She sighed. “I just love you. Come with me.”

And I did.

Hours later, Aja’s eyes were huge and her mouth hung open. Her mother wore an identical expression, as did all Aja’s bridesmaids and her maid of honor—her sister, Candace. I was guessing it was the dancing.

Her father, Judge Kenneth Greene, and I were doing the twist to Fats Domino music and singing along as we did it. Currently, “My Girl Josephine” was pouring out of the speakers.

“Miss Aja.” I heard her friend Zora laugh out loud. “Look at your father, girl.”

“Jory,” she called over to me, and I heard the deep chuckle. “Baby, what⁠—”

“Leave him alone.” The judge cut her off playfully. “We’re busy.”

“Kenneth Greene, what in heaven’s name are you doing?” Aja’s mother, Dominique, asked her husband, her smile making her eyes sparkle.

Instead of answering, he motioned her over. Immediately she went to him, and seconds later he had her in his arms, dipping her low, dancing her around the suite.

Dane suddenly filled the doorway, standing beside the woman who would be his wife by the end of the day. It was funny to see his expression as he looked across the room to where I now danced in a circle of beautiful women. He tipped his head to me, and I smiled back. I watched him put an arm around Aja’s shoulders and pull her close before he kissed her cheek.

“Jory.” He called my name.

There were hands in my hair, on my back, sliding off my shoulders, clutching at my shirt before I got free to cross the room. As I stepped in front of Dane, he pulled me forward into his arms.

“Thank you,” he murmured, bending toward me, face down in my shoulder.

My eyes flicked to Aja’s as he let me go and left as suddenly as he’d come.

“What’s going on?” she asked quickly.

I coughed once. “Mr. Reid came in here asking some questions about you, and your father took offense.”

“My dad did?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait.” She held up her hand. “I’m sorry, what?”

“It was no big deal,” I lied.

“Questions? What kind of questions?”