"You have to try it!" Tiana insisted; Charlotte was absolutely not going to argue, so she opened her mouth and Tiana gave her a bite of the beignet; Charlotte closed her eyes and savored the sweetness, the crunch of the sugar crystals, and the warmth of the fresh dough, all of which reminded her of Tiana: her kindness, generosity, and compassion.

"Oh, Tia, it's wonderful!" she said, reaching out for the rest of the pastry, and Tiana laughed and held it up over her head.

"No more, not yet!" she insisted, resisting Charlotte's pleading face, but only for a moment, before sharing the rest, and then kissing stray sugar from the corner of Charlotte's mouth.