Tiana Read Online Free

golden tablecloths glistened in the warm light of the chandelier. The lilies and birds-of-paradise smelled wonderful. And the delicious aroma from the kitchen wafted through the room. Tiana smiled and greeted her guests.
    â€œTia!” someone shouted from across the room. A girl came rushing toward Tiana.
    â€œGeorgia!” Tiana blurted out. She hugged her friend tightly. “I’m so glad you came!”
    Georgia smiled. “Girl, you know I never miss a good party,” she said, grinning. Her short curly hair was styled in a bob, and her purple and black dress fit her perfectly. “Tia, this place is gorgeous,” she gushed. “You’ve come a long way from waiting tables at Duke’s Diner!”
    Smiling, Tiana thanked her old friend. When Tiana was first starting out, she had worked double shifts waiting tables in restaurants. She had big dreams but no money. While Georgia and many of her friends were out on the town, Tiana always had to work. She was thankful that her hard work had paid off, and that she could share this opening night with her old and new friends.
    â€œEnjoy,” Tiana told Georgia.
    â€œI will, My Royal Highness…I mean, Your Royal Highness!” Georgia said, giggling. Then she said, “I still can’t get used to that.”
    â€œI can’t either!” Tiana responded. She touched the tiara on her head and moved on to the next table to greet more guests.
    Just at that moment, the lights flickered. Tiana looked up, and in a flash, the lights in the chandelier flicked off.
    An opening-night blackout?
    That was not on the menu!

T iana took a deep breath. Instead of seeing the golden glow of the chandelier in the dining room, all she saw was darkness. Her heart began to race. What happened? she thought. Everything was going so well!
    â€œSorry about that,” Tiana announced to the restaurant guests. “We’ll get everything sorted out before you know it.”
    In an instant, Naveen was at Tiana’s side. He squeezed her hand and escorted her back to the kitchen. “We’ll fix this,” he whispered in her ear. “Remember, we’ve been in worse situations!”

    Lottie and Georgia came through the kitchen door, holding candles. “Whatever happened, we’re here to help,” Lottie said.
    Her mother walked over, holding a candle. “Are all the lights out?”
    â€œYes,” Tiana answered. “But we’re going to get this fixed in no time. We have to make sure the candles on all the tables are lit.” She was grateful for the tall golden candelabras with four long, tapered candles on each table. At least people wouldn’t be sitting in the dark!
    Lottie, Georgia, and Tiana’s mother grabbed some matches and went to light up the dining room.
    â€œTell Louis to start playing,” Tiana called after Lottie. “Music will keep everyone calm.”
    â€œI’ll tell him,” Lottie promised.
    Tiana turned to face Naveen. “Maybe this has something to do with the new chandelier?” she said.
    â€œI’ll check on that,” Naveen said. “Do you want to make sure that there are enough candles?”
    Holding up a candle to light her way, Tiana went into the storage closet.
    Of all the nights for this to happen, she thought. What a royal mess!
    â€œThe food is all ready,” Eudora said to her daughter. “And it will stay hot on the gas stove!” She peered out the kitchen door. “You know, Tia, the dining room looks beautiful in candlelight. Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing.”
    Tiana wasn’t so sure about that. She was sure Jono La Crème was expecting to see a well-lit restaurant. What would he report about a dark dining room? She hung her head.
    â€œMaybe the chandelier was a bad idea,” she said glumly. “I just thought it would really make this place into a palace, you know?” She sank down into one of the kitchen