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Looking down, she realized that the diamond had popped out from under her dress. She looked at Rashid in horror, but there was a smile on his face.
“Mother, Father, brothers, and Amira. I’d like to introduce you to my sheikha-to-be.”
“I’m going to kill you!” Asad growled. “I expressly forbid you to choose her.”
His parents looked thoroughly horrified. Amira finally looked interested in events, and even Khalid had cocked his head in amusement.
Mila clenched her fists. “Rashid, what’s he talking about?” Forbid him? When did this happen? Before or after he’d proposed to her the first time?
Liyah threw down her napkin and squared off with her husband. “What do you mean, you forbid him? Is there something wrong with Mila?”
“No, of course not,” Asad blustered. “She’s just not really the sheikha type. She likes her independence.”
“She is an amazing woman, and she’ll make a great wife for Rashid,” Liyah hissed.
Grateful that her friend was sticking up for her, but not wanting Liyah to get into trouble, Mila tried to intervene, but Rashid’s mother had finally found her tongue.
“Of course you did. We tell you to find a wife, and you go and pick the one person you knew we would all hate. The idea is for you to settle down, not saddle yourself with some loose American.”
“Loose!” Mila spluttered.
Rashid just shrugged. “I am free to marry whomever I wish,” he said in a bored tone.
“I think Mila’s great,” Amira said warmly.
“That in itself should be a warning,” Asad muttered.
Mila snapped. “Enough!” she cried out as she stood up.
Everyone fell quiet.
“You don’t have to talk around me. I am right here. I’m sure that Rashid did pick me as a form of rebellion, and that’s why, when he first asked me, I said no. He offered me money, and I wouldn’t take it.”
She smiled fondly at Liyah. “Thanks to Liyah and Asad, my exchange-mother and I want for nothing. Rashid has been courting me for several weeks now. I know that this marriage is quick, and I understand the reasons behind it, but it’s not based on a mask for the public. I have feelings for Rashid, and he has them for me. We’re developing a real relationship. I’m sorry that it’s come out like this. I wish I’d had time to get to know everyone a little better. I had hoped that when we did, you’d all come to love me.”
Even Amira and Liyah were staring at her with open mouths. Embarrassed, she finally sat down, and Asad started to laugh. “I apologize, little brother,” he chuckled. “I can see now why you chose her. Apparently, it takes someone like Mila to finally bring you to heel.”
Everyone else started laughing as well, and Navine nodded his head to her. “Welcome to the family, my dear.”
Only Shekinah didn’t seem to soften toward her, and as Mila looked across the table at Rashid, she realized that he didn’t look happy, either.
9
The rest of the evening went fairly well. At the conclusion of dessert, Shekinah excused herself, and the men wandered off to talk business. Alone with Liyah and Amira, Mila sat back and closed her eyes. “Am I still alive?”
“Much to my mother’s dismay,” Amira said in an amused voice. “I’m proud of you, Mila. You handled yourself well.”
Liyah reached over and hugged her. “You did wonderful. Mila, I’m so sorry about the fight we had. You’re going to make a perfect sheikha.”
“I don’t know about that.” Mila reveled in the hug. “But I’m the one who needs to apologize to you. I should have listened and not just jumped to conclusions. In fact, I only came tonight to apologize. I had no idea that this was going to be a whole family affair!”
Amira narrowed her eyes. “My brother’s an ass. Of course he would make a spectacle of you.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Mila said as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, but she couldn’t think of a better explanation.
“With the scandal at the sports arena, he probably just has a lot on his plate,” Liyah said as she patted Mila’s hand comfortingly.
Mila frowned. “What scandal?”
