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She was beside herself with happiness. The love and acceptance she experienced from his family and friends was more than she’d ever expected. There were no, Are you sures? or This has happened so fasts, but rather, “Congratulations” and “You two are perfect for each other.”
After everyone returned to their seats, Juan Carlos lifted his glass of champagne. “Please join me in welcoming my fiancée, Portia, to our family. Today, she has made me the happiest man on earth.”
Glasses clinked and sips were taken.
Portia’s heart swelled. All doubts about her future were laid to rest. She and Juan Carlos would work things out. They would find a way to keep each other happy and not lose their own identity. She would be his wife in all ways. She would one day bear his child, an heir to the throne of Alma.
She locked the thought deep inside her heart and it filled her with joy.
* * *
“Jasmine, yes. It’s true, it’s true. I’m engaged to Juan Carlos. I wanted to tell you before news of our engagement reached the States. The king’s assistant will be speaking to the media tomorrow to share our engagement news.” Portia held the cell phone to her ear as she looked out the window of Juan Carlos’s master suite in the palace. The king’s room had a view of the gardens below, with its expertly groomed fall flowers.
“Congratulations, Portia. Wow. It’s hard to believe. The king moves fast, doesn’t he?” Jasmine asked, a little bit in awe.
“Yes, he does,” she said softly, focusing on a row of red carnations growing in the garden. They were hardy this time of year. “He’s quite persuasive when he wants something. That’s why he’ll be a great king and not just a figurehead. After news of our find comes out, the country will see how much Alma means to him. They’ll rally behind him, and he’ll be... Jas, forgive me, I’m rambling, aren’t I?”
“Oh, my gosh, Portia. I hear it in your voice. You’re really in love, aren’t you?”
“He’s amazing, Jas. And I resisted him as long as I could, but Juan Carlos...well, when you meet him, you’ll see what I mean.”
“I’m going to meet him?” She pictured her friend’s eyes snapping to attention.
“Of course, silly. At the wedding. Jasmine, I want you by my side. I know it’s a lot to ask, since the wedding will be held in Alma, but I’d be thrilled if you’d be my maid of honor.”
“Portia...this is... Of course I’ll be your maid of honor! I wish you could see me jumping up and down right now.”
She chuckled. “I’ve got the image in my head. Just be careful. The last time you jumped for joy, you crashed into my dining table and nearly broke your leg.”
“Okay, I’ve stopped jumping now,” she said, out of breath. “This is all so very exciting.”
“I can hardly believe it myself. Juan Carlos wants to be married, like, yesterday, so I think it’s going to happen as soon as we can put all the pieces together.”
“Count on me to help.”
“Thank you. I was hoping you’d say that and I’m glad you’re going to be in my wedding. Right now, I’m working on an art authentication project that will take me until the end of the week to finish. I should be home in three days. Then it’ll be full steam ahead with wedding plans.”
“I can’t wait to see you. I have a million questions for you.”
“And I don’t have a million answers. But it’ll work out,” Portia said, taking a deep breath. “It has to. Have to run now. Love you, Jas.”
“Love you, too,” her assistant said, and then hung up.
“What don’t you have a million answers to?” Juan Carlos was suddenly beside Portia at the window. His arms around her waist, he took the cell phone from her hand and turned her to face him. She looked into curious, warm dark eyes.
“All of this?” she said. She couldn’t lie. The roller coaster was going fast and she was holding on for dear life. “I don’t know how this will all work out. I have a career, a life and a job on both US coasts. As it is, I’m not home much.”
He lifted her chin and tilted his head. She braced herself for the onslaught of his kiss. When he held her this way and gazed at her, she turned into a puddle of mush. The kiss was long and leisurely. He took his time with her and every bone in her body melted. Yes, her fiancé knew how to devastate.
“As long as we love each other,” he said, “the obstacles won’t be too great. I don’t expect you to give up your work, Princess. I won’t demand anything of you but your love.”
