Bedding the Billionaire (Book 3) (Legacy Collection) (44 page)

“True,” Lil laughed and pushed the drink into Zhang’s hand. “But
you’re going to spend a significant amount of time with whoever we pick.
There is the rehearsa
l, the wedding itself, photos,
maybe
even some dancing.
You don’t think you care now, but do you really want to spend the wedding holding onto
this
Prince Charming?”

Lil motioned to
Maddy
who brought up a photo of a man they had actually found on a world’s scariest criminals website, but Zhang didn’t need to know that.
Lil said,
“Sober, you don’t seem able to decide. We can choose for you if you want, but
this
is what might happen.”
Maddy
cued up the photo of Zhang and
a
long haired
, mostly toothless
criminal walking down an aisle together.

Shamelessly, Lil added a final zinger, “
Maddy
even has the software that could show you what your children would look like if ended up with him.”
The photo
Maddy
produced was as hilarious as it was hideous.

Zhang
downed the glass of champagne in one gulp and replaced the glass.

Abby looked on, shaking her head. “Lil, you are…”

Maddy
answered for her, “My hero!”

Abby smiled sympathetically at Zhang and said, “You know,
I can call her off.
At least, I can try.”

Zhang took the second glass of champagne Lil offered her and smiled in resignation.
She and Lil were polar opposites, but somehow they had connected and were building a friendship through the planning the wedding together. She joked, “I had no idea that the American custom was t
o choose a groomsman worthy of
bearing children
with
or I would have paid more attention to the previous ones.
Please, cue up the next one.”

Nicole read the corresponding card. “
Sheikh
Rachid
bin
Amir al
Hanta
n
, Crown Prince of
Naj
r
i
ad
–
a small country but gaining prominence for their technology as well as their oil.”

Lil shot a quick look at Zhang and saw her interest before she was able to conceal it again.
Thank you champagne.
Lil
prompted
, “He’s hot.”

Abby added, “I think Dominic actually knows him
pretty well
.
He either graduated from Harvard the year before or the year after Dom and Jake did.
I’ve heard him mention him before.
”
She smiled, “
I agree
–he’s
hot.” Everyone looked at her. “What, I’m getting married, but I’m not blind. That man is gorgeous.”

Zhang said, “He wouldn’t be our worst choice.”

Lil said, “Cue up how they would look as a couple.”

Maddy
clapped. “Oh, we have to pick him.
He’s perfect for you.”

Nicole warned, “Just remember, gorgeous men have big…”
she paused for dramatic emphasis. “
Egos.”
She finished with a laugh.

Everyone laughed – even Zhang.

Abby said, “If he
got
out of line, I’m sure Zhang could put him firmly back in his place.”

Zhang straightened a little defensively and said, “
Sometimes I’m shy around men.”
A round of laughter swept the room, but Zhang didn’t join in. She added, “You don’t work as much as I do and date much.”

Maddy
said, “Oh, my God that is so cute.”
When Zhang shot her a glare,
she back
-
pe
d
dled
nervously
.
“I mean cute in
the least conde
scending
way I could have said it
. It’s just that I can picture you
staring into those
beautiful dark eyes–
tempor
arily at a loss for what to say–
waiting for him to kiss you for the first time.”

Lil said, “You’ve been reading too many of those romances again.”

Maddy
countered, “Hello, I married a French man. I
live
romance. And who do you think suggested that Jake be the one to move you into a new place?
Hmm?”

Lil threw some popcorn at the tiny woman’s head.
“That was you?”

Maddy
laughed and removed a piece of popcorn from her
hair
. “You can thank
me whenever you’re ready. Match-
making is my gift.”

Zhang said, “I’m not looking for a man.”

Maddy
nodded her approval, “That’s always the best time to find one. I vote for the Sheik
h
.
All in favor say
‘a
ye.
’
”

Everyone except Zhang chimed in
their approval
.

Maddy
played around with her laptop until a photo of a
beautiful
baby, somewhat distorted, appeared on the screen.
“Come
on,
look at how cute your children would be.”

Zhang stiffened.
“I don’t care which man we choose
today
.”

Lil leaned closer to her and said softly, “Really, then why are you blushing?”

Before World War III broke out, Abby quickly interceded.
“I’ll have Dominic call him.”

Lil said, “Should we pick a runner up in case he says no?”

Everyone looked at her like she’d asked if they should have a plan in case the world stop
ped turning on the wedding day.
Dominic got what Dominic wanted–
that hadn’t changed regardless of how
much Abby had tamed him. Lil laughed, “You’re right. Meet your date to the wedding,
Zhang–
Prince I-should-be-an-underwear-model
Rachid
.”

Zhang laughed and shook her head.

Lil said, “See,
if
you get shy just imagine him in
clothing
catalogue.
That always cracks me up.”

“Lil, are you listening?”
Abby said in a tone that implied she’d asked it before
and gotten no response.

Her voice brought Lil back to the present.

Lil
said,
“I was just thinking about Zhang and her Prince.
What a shame he couldn’t make the rehearsal. I hope he’s not
a total
stick in the mud.”

Abby
spun in the mirror and adjusted the back of her dress again. “He had some business he couldn’t get out of.
Dominic said it was
important enough that he understood.
Some border dispute that his country is having with one of their neighbors.
Whatever it was, it looks like it has temporarily been quelled because he’s here today.”

“
I’m glad
.
I’d really lik
e to see Zhang have a good time,
”
Lil said and fixed Abby’s train for the fiftieth time.

Abby cautioned, “Lil, don’t push her.
Whatever happen
s–
happens.”

“I know.
It’s just that she’s all tough and reserved on the surface, but I think she’s really sad on the inside.
S
he told me the story about her
parents.
Do you know that although she was born into a very poor family and it would have been easier for them if she’d been a
boy, her father celebrated her?
She said he always told her that she could do anything a man could do.
S
he certai
nly proved him right, but it’s almost like she thinks she can’t be successful and be a woman.
The fact that she’s wearing a dress for your wedding is a testament to how much she cares about you.
I don’t get why it’s such a bi
g deal to her.
Does she think she’ll lose it all if she wears a dress one time?”

“
I told you, no one is immune to fear.”

Something in her sister’s voice gave her pause.
“Are you nervous about today, Abby?”
She didn’t look nervous, but the closer she and her sister became the more
Lil
saw that A
bby
worried just as much as she did–
she just hid it better.

Abby gave her a
shaky
smile. “I love him, Lil, but sometimes I wonder if I can do this.
Did you see his side of the invitation list?
What if I make a fool out of myself out there today?
I
have to study before I meet new people so I’ll know how to address them; a
ctually study with Marie.
Is that really the woman Dominic wants at his side for the rest of his life?”

Lil hugged her sister.
“Domini
c
told me that he’s a better man because of you.
I don’t think he gives a flying squirrel if you mess up when you greet some head of state.
And didn’t you tell me that beneath all the money, these people
are just as messed up as we are?
”

Abby
sniffed and
straightened. “I did.”

How had she
never seen that Abby needed
her as much as she needed Abby?
“Then just be yourself, because that’s who Dominic fell for and who he wants to grow old with.
If you stay true to yourself and true to him, everything else will work out.”