“Monica”
―
Farrah Rochon,
Deliver Me
“tomorrow.” ― Farrah Rochon, Deliver Me
“Elijah” ― Farrah Rochon, Deliver Me
“It's so good to see you, Daddy.""You saw me the day before yesterday." He laughed as he expertly diced bell peppers into uniform pieces."But it's always good to see you," Tiana said. "It's something I've learned to never take for granted.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Are you gonna be my date tonight, or what?"A night of good food, jazz music, and the chance to see Tiana again?Naveen gave her his best smile. "What time to do we leave?” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“You’re on Facebook, Uncle Reid?” Athens asked. “Of course he is,” Liliana said. “That’s where all the old people go to waste their time.” “Hey,” ― Farrah Rochon, Trust Me
“It was a striking reminder that they all bore crosses when it came to their respective careers, some heavier than others.” ― Farrah Rochon, The Boyfriend Project
“As she waited for the soul-crushing grief to envelop her, an odd thing happened. The grief failed to materialize. Instead, she felt... joy. An overwhelming sense of peace weaved its way around her sadness.Tiana knew she would always miss her daddy, but the hole his passing had left in her heart wasn't as hollow this time around. It was filled with memories of the past year--- the laughs they'd shared, the meals they'd prepared together, and the all-encompassing love they'd experienced every single day. And a true goodbye.Tiana closed her eyes tight, holding onto those memories. They would be with her always. Just as her daddy would be with her.Always.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Not too long before, she would have maintained that no matter how well things were going, she would never be truly happy again, because her father was no longer with her.But he was here. She felt him every time she walked into the kitchen at this restaurant. She felt him whenever she walked into her mother's house in the Ninth Ward, or when she was in the house she and Naveen shared uptown.She felt him everywhere.And because she knew his spirit would always be with her, no matter how far she traveled or how long they were apart, Tiana now knew true happiness.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Mama Odie had been willing to help both Tiana and Naveen the year before. Hopefully, she would be willing to do so again.Please. Please. Please.The strangeness of having to rely on someone else for help struck Tiana anew. She knew she was independent to a fault. She had lost count of how many times she had wasted hours---sometimes even days---toiling away at some task or another, refusing to ask for help.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Naveen turned back to her, his penetrating eyes pleading with her to accept his help. "You don't have to do this all on your own. We're here for you. I'm here for you."Tiana hesitated as a blend of uncertainty and gratitude converged. This was her mess. She'd pulled them all into this; she shouldn't expect her friends to get her out of it.But Naveen was right: she didn't have to do this alone. She couldn't."Okay," Tiana answered.The shame she thought she would feel didn't materialize. All she felt was overwhelming relief at knowing she didn't have to rely solely on herself.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“A small smile tipped up one corner of her mouth as she remembered that first night, and how ridiculously out of his element Naveen had been. She glanced over at him now, taking in his strong and handsome profile. He'd changed so much in the year since she'd first met him. He was no longer the spoiled little rich boy who thought he could get by on his looks and charm.Though he'd surely won her over with that charm in the end.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“She backed away from the boat. She started to flail in the mud, but before she could tumble backward, a set of strong arms braced around her."I have you," Naveen said. He was so close she could feel his warm breath against her ear. Tiana did her best to ignore the goose bumps pebbling up and down her skin, but she would have had a better chance of ignoring a fireworks display taking place on her front porch.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“I know that I can be selfish and stubborn, but I want to be a good friend to you. The best kind of friend. Because that's the kind of friend you have always been to me.""Oh, Lottie." Tiana dropped the branch and wrapped her arms around her."I'm glad you're here.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“I hope this wasn't your favorite shirt.""In fact, it was," he said. Her eyes flew to his. Before she could apologize, he smiled and said, "I'm only kidding.""You," she growled, trying to hide her smile. How could he be both endearing and insufferable at the same time?” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“She took over the driving duties again, not trusting anyone else to get her to her destination. She was once again in control of her own destiny."Almost there," Tiana whispered.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Oh, if only her daddy could see her right now. What would he think? How would she explain this mess she'd gotten herself into? Wishing on an evening star for her restaurant and getting mixed up in some nefarious dealings. Falling for a prince. Becoming friends with a gator and a firefly along the way.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Tiana peered down in stunned delight at the sparkling white silk draping her body. The rhinestone- and pearl- studded gown she now wore was unlike anything she'd ever owned. When she lifted her head, she gasped at her surroundings. Tiana twirled around in a slow circle, mesmerized by the glitz and glamour of a place she had only seen in her nightly dreams.The old sugar mill she'd had her heart set on buying for years was no longer decrepit and falling apart. The floors gleamed underneath her feet, shining so bright they nearly blinded her. Brilliant crystal chandeliers hung high above her head, illuminating a massive dining room that was crowded with patrons. Men in suit jackets and women wearing their Sunday best sat at cloth-covered tables adorned with extravagant centerpieces and sparkling china. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time, enjoying rich, fragrant dishes that smelled like the food Tiana used to cook with her daddy.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“If I have to give up Naveen, there are several things I want in return," Tiana said.Even when she had no way out, she still drove a hard bargain. In a way, he could admire that. It was too bad she was such a goody two-shoes. With her gumption, Tiana could help him take over this entire city.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“tomorrow.” ― Farrah Rochon, Deliver Me
“Elijah” ― Farrah Rochon, Deliver Me
“It's so good to see you, Daddy.""You saw me the day before yesterday." He laughed as he expertly diced bell peppers into uniform pieces."But it's always good to see you," Tiana said. "It's something I've learned to never take for granted.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Are you gonna be my date tonight, or what?"A night of good food, jazz music, and the chance to see Tiana again?Naveen gave her his best smile. "What time to do we leave?” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“You’re on Facebook, Uncle Reid?” Athens asked. “Of course he is,” Liliana said. “That’s where all the old people go to waste their time.” “Hey,” ― Farrah Rochon, Trust Me
“It was a striking reminder that they all bore crosses when it came to their respective careers, some heavier than others.” ― Farrah Rochon, The Boyfriend Project
“As she waited for the soul-crushing grief to envelop her, an odd thing happened. The grief failed to materialize. Instead, she felt... joy. An overwhelming sense of peace weaved its way around her sadness.Tiana knew she would always miss her daddy, but the hole his passing had left in her heart wasn't as hollow this time around. It was filled with memories of the past year--- the laughs they'd shared, the meals they'd prepared together, and the all-encompassing love they'd experienced every single day. And a true goodbye.Tiana closed her eyes tight, holding onto those memories. They would be with her always. Just as her daddy would be with her.Always.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Not too long before, she would have maintained that no matter how well things were going, she would never be truly happy again, because her father was no longer with her.But he was here. She felt him every time she walked into the kitchen at this restaurant. She felt him whenever she walked into her mother's house in the Ninth Ward, or when she was in the house she and Naveen shared uptown.She felt him everywhere.And because she knew his spirit would always be with her, no matter how far she traveled or how long they were apart, Tiana now knew true happiness.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Mama Odie had been willing to help both Tiana and Naveen the year before. Hopefully, she would be willing to do so again.Please. Please. Please.The strangeness of having to rely on someone else for help struck Tiana anew. She knew she was independent to a fault. She had lost count of how many times she had wasted hours---sometimes even days---toiling away at some task or another, refusing to ask for help.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Naveen turned back to her, his penetrating eyes pleading with her to accept his help. "You don't have to do this all on your own. We're here for you. I'm here for you."Tiana hesitated as a blend of uncertainty and gratitude converged. This was her mess. She'd pulled them all into this; she shouldn't expect her friends to get her out of it.But Naveen was right: she didn't have to do this alone. She couldn't."Okay," Tiana answered.The shame she thought she would feel didn't materialize. All she felt was overwhelming relief at knowing she didn't have to rely solely on herself.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“A small smile tipped up one corner of her mouth as she remembered that first night, and how ridiculously out of his element Naveen had been. She glanced over at him now, taking in his strong and handsome profile. He'd changed so much in the year since she'd first met him. He was no longer the spoiled little rich boy who thought he could get by on his looks and charm.Though he'd surely won her over with that charm in the end.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“She backed away from the boat. She started to flail in the mud, but before she could tumble backward, a set of strong arms braced around her."I have you," Naveen said. He was so close she could feel his warm breath against her ear. Tiana did her best to ignore the goose bumps pebbling up and down her skin, but she would have had a better chance of ignoring a fireworks display taking place on her front porch.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“I know that I can be selfish and stubborn, but I want to be a good friend to you. The best kind of friend. Because that's the kind of friend you have always been to me.""Oh, Lottie." Tiana dropped the branch and wrapped her arms around her."I'm glad you're here.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“I hope this wasn't your favorite shirt.""In fact, it was," he said. Her eyes flew to his. Before she could apologize, he smiled and said, "I'm only kidding.""You," she growled, trying to hide her smile. How could he be both endearing and insufferable at the same time?” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“She took over the driving duties again, not trusting anyone else to get her to her destination. She was once again in control of her own destiny."Almost there," Tiana whispered.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Oh, if only her daddy could see her right now. What would he think? How would she explain this mess she'd gotten herself into? Wishing on an evening star for her restaurant and getting mixed up in some nefarious dealings. Falling for a prince. Becoming friends with a gator and a firefly along the way.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“Tiana peered down in stunned delight at the sparkling white silk draping her body. The rhinestone- and pearl- studded gown she now wore was unlike anything she'd ever owned. When she lifted her head, she gasped at her surroundings. Tiana twirled around in a slow circle, mesmerized by the glitz and glamour of a place she had only seen in her nightly dreams.The old sugar mill she'd had her heart set on buying for years was no longer decrepit and falling apart. The floors gleamed underneath her feet, shining so bright they nearly blinded her. Brilliant crystal chandeliers hung high above her head, illuminating a massive dining room that was crowded with patrons. Men in suit jackets and women wearing their Sunday best sat at cloth-covered tables adorned with extravagant centerpieces and sparkling china. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time, enjoying rich, fragrant dishes that smelled like the food Tiana used to cook with her daddy.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
“If I have to give up Naveen, there are several things I want in return," Tiana said.Even when she had no way out, she still drove a hard bargain. In a way, he could admire that. It was too bad she was such a goody two-shoes. With her gumption, Tiana could help him take over this entire city.” ― Farrah Rochon, Almost There
