shrugged. "It won't be as bad. Going out in public is difficult at times. The reception is at the palace.”
“That will be a relief.” The life of royalty was not the fairytale little girls dreamed of. Mandy enjoyed the escape of this week but she wouldn’t want a steady diet of life in a fishbowl.
“And it normally isn't this crazy. With both our parents here, two different security forces are covering their bases. And then of course Rashid is adding his two cents on what they are all doing wrong."
"Your husband saved my ass once so you won't hear me complain if he is thorough."
After checking her clothes one last time the princess turned towards her friend. "You look very pretty."
Passable, perhaps. Since the end of her marriage, Mandy had not gone out of her way to accentuate the positive. "No toilet paper hanging out of my pantyhose?"
Mona touched her arm. "Seriously. I need to introduce you to someone. I know you feel more comfortable in your denim armor and baseball cap helmet."
Mandy waved a finger in the air. "Do not fix me up with anyone."
"I wouldn't do that. But you will be seated next to the best man. He can be… challenging. But he’s also your future boss. So you will need to try to hold back the men are dogs rhetoric."
Mandy rolled her eyes. "You know me. I'm not sure I can contain myself if I'm pushed."
“Every time you want to say something just keep in mind that with this job you will be making unbelievable contacts throughout the world. After that you can write your own ticket career wise."
"No pressure," Mandy said as she headed towards the door. “By the way how do I address him?"
"I will introduce him formally. But he will tell you how he wants to be addressed."
They exited the ladies room and made their way to the private dining area. The cocktail hour was already in full swing. Although the hotel had a bar Mandy knew that neither of the families consumed alcohol and she always believed in respecting the customs of her host. Too bad because she could really use a shot of Dutch courage about now.
"By the way which one of his brothers is the best man?"
"Hamid," Mona said.
The man standing in front of her turned around to face the women. "Yes?"
Mandy gasped in surprise. She swallowed hard. Something about him seemed familiar. Rashid joined the group. Well of course! They were brothers who looked alike. But unlike Rashid, this man reeked of arrogance. Dark eyes appraised her. He smiled but it seemed more like a smirk.
"Miss Amanda. We meet again."
She glanced at her friend in confusion. Her pulse quickened.
"You’ve met?" the princess asked.
She turned her head from side to side but a cloud of dread hovered over her. The voice.
"Earlier in the kitchen.” He feigned a look of hurt. “And I thought I was unforgettable."
Her stomach clenched. "Darth Vader." Holy crap. Did she just say that out loud? Apparently. And His Royal Highness was not amused. Although the happy couple found it hysterical.
So much for a good first impression. Her friends slowly backed away. Don’t leave me with him, she wanted to scream.
Warmth spread through her. God she hoped she wasn’t as flushed as she felt. "I am sorry, Your Highness."
"Do you apologize a lot?"
Do not open your mouth so you can keep your foot out of it.
"Nothing to say?"
She shook her head. Anything she said would just land her in more trouble.
“Shall we go to our seats?"
Mandy tipped her head and walked towards the table. He followed right behind.
"It is nice to find a woman who knows that her place is to be seen and not heard."
Sucking in a deep breath she came to an abrupt stop. Hamid smacked into her. She teetered and took a backwards step for balance landing her heel on his expensive Italian loafer. She figured she already blew any chance of the job so she didn’t have to put up with the alpha dog.
"I am so sorry, Your Highness." Her apology dripped with saccharine sweetness.
He grabbed her waist and lifted
“That will be a relief.” The life of royalty was not the fairytale little girls dreamed of. Mandy enjoyed the escape of this week but she wouldn’t want a steady diet of life in a fishbowl.
“And it normally isn't this crazy. With both our parents here, two different security forces are covering their bases. And then of course Rashid is adding his two cents on what they are all doing wrong."
"Your husband saved my ass once so you won't hear me complain if he is thorough."
After checking her clothes one last time the princess turned towards her friend. "You look very pretty."
Passable, perhaps. Since the end of her marriage, Mandy had not gone out of her way to accentuate the positive. "No toilet paper hanging out of my pantyhose?"
Mona touched her arm. "Seriously. I need to introduce you to someone. I know you feel more comfortable in your denim armor and baseball cap helmet."
Mandy waved a finger in the air. "Do not fix me up with anyone."
"I wouldn't do that. But you will be seated next to the best man. He can be… challenging. But he’s also your future boss. So you will need to try to hold back the men are dogs rhetoric."
Mandy rolled her eyes. "You know me. I'm not sure I can contain myself if I'm pushed."
“Every time you want to say something just keep in mind that with this job you will be making unbelievable contacts throughout the world. After that you can write your own ticket career wise."
"No pressure," Mandy said as she headed towards the door. “By the way how do I address him?"
"I will introduce him formally. But he will tell you how he wants to be addressed."
They exited the ladies room and made their way to the private dining area. The cocktail hour was already in full swing. Although the hotel had a bar Mandy knew that neither of the families consumed alcohol and she always believed in respecting the customs of her host. Too bad because she could really use a shot of Dutch courage about now.
"By the way which one of his brothers is the best man?"
"Hamid," Mona said.
The man standing in front of her turned around to face the women. "Yes?"
Mandy gasped in surprise. She swallowed hard. Something about him seemed familiar. Rashid joined the group. Well of course! They were brothers who looked alike. But unlike Rashid, this man reeked of arrogance. Dark eyes appraised her. He smiled but it seemed more like a smirk.
"Miss Amanda. We meet again."
She glanced at her friend in confusion. Her pulse quickened.
"You’ve met?" the princess asked.
She turned her head from side to side but a cloud of dread hovered over her. The voice.
"Earlier in the kitchen.” He feigned a look of hurt. “And I thought I was unforgettable."
Her stomach clenched. "Darth Vader." Holy crap. Did she just say that out loud? Apparently. And His Royal Highness was not amused. Although the happy couple found it hysterical.
So much for a good first impression. Her friends slowly backed away. Don’t leave me with him, she wanted to scream.
Warmth spread through her. God she hoped she wasn’t as flushed as she felt. "I am sorry, Your Highness."
"Do you apologize a lot?"
Do not open your mouth so you can keep your foot out of it.
"Nothing to say?"
She shook her head. Anything she said would just land her in more trouble.
“Shall we go to our seats?"
Mandy tipped her head and walked towards the table. He followed right behind.
"It is nice to find a woman who knows that her place is to be seen and not heard."
Sucking in a deep breath she came to an abrupt stop. Hamid smacked into her. She teetered and took a backwards step for balance landing her heel on his expensive Italian loafer. She figured she already blew any chance of the job so she didn’t have to put up with the alpha dog.
"I am so sorry, Your Highness." Her apology dripped with saccharine sweetness.
He grabbed her waist and lifted
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