Tiler turned to look again at her mom and then leaned forward to give her mom a kiss on the cheek. She smiled. “I- I was just surprised to see you, mom, that’s all. You look beautiful tonight.”

She subtly moved her shoulders, and when she felt Cindy’s hands slip, she walked deliberately towards Jia.

She returned her angel’s growing smile as she headed to Jia, a warmth spreading out from her heart to her chest, and then all over her body. She leaned forward when she drew close, noting again that Jia’s heels drew her up to nearly Tiler’s height, as if to kiss those bee-stung lips, but they ended up rubbing their noses together, instead.

“Tiler, honey…” they heard Cindy start to say, as they smiled at each other, nose to nose. And then Cindy fell quiet.

Everyone else took a step back, perhaps unconsciously, as they watched the unfolding drama, prepared for anything.

“So you’ve met Jia, mom?”

Jia entwined her fingers around Tiler’s when she felt the stud’s hand reach for her own as Tiler released from their unique greeting to turn and look at Cindy, cherry-red lips splitting her handsome face in a contented smile.

She saw that Cindy was the one who’d been tongue-tied, this time. Before the moment stretched out even longer, she interjected. “Why, yes, Tiler. And your mom was telling us a story earlier about your dad. He’d been telling their friends how proud he was about you and how you’ve been the one managing everything about their coming silver anniversary party. Haven’t been asking for help from anyone, he’d said.”

At that, Tiler reared her head back in surprise. Mom’s told them about their anniversary?

After another awkward pause, Rachel stepped in to assist Jia smooth the uncomfortable moment over.   “Uh huh. Your mom was asking us whether anybody’s been helping you, and I had to say I didn’t even know you were planning a big event like that on your own!”

“Silver anniversary. That’s a big one,” Tina added. She winked supportively at Jia. Atta girl.

“Yeah, stud. You need any help? With the venue? The food?” Aerin piped up, smiling broadly at Tiler. “I know several A-list party planners around the city that would do this for free. We know each other from way back. And they’re connected to a network of chefs, so, I could ask, if you’d like…”