“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 Abby 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; actually study with Marie. Is that really the woman Dominic wants at his side for the rest of his life?”
Lil hugged her sister. “Dominic 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.”
Abby smiled. “When did you become so wise?”
“It’s a natural byproduct of being raised by two incredible women. You and Mom taught me everything I know about love.”
“Don’t you dare make me cry and ruin my mascara!”
“So I can’t say it?”
“I’m warning you, Lil!” Abby said with a half-laugh, half-cry.
“We’ll stop by and have your makeup retouched on our way to meet up with the girls. Don’t worry.” She picked up the short train of her sister’s gown and said, “Lead the way, Soon-to-be-Mrs. Corisi.”
Abby took a fortifying deep breath and started walking.
From behind her, Lil said softly, “Always better together, Abby.”
Abby turned, wiping a tear from her cheek, but smiling. “You’re awful.”
“No,” Lil answered simply, “just finally grateful.”
With growing amusement, Jake watched his friend impatiently pace the room. “Are you sure you don’t want a drink?”
“Is everyone here now?” Dominic asked.
“Yes, they are all just down the hallway.”
“Why the hell aren’t they in here? I thought you said we had to run through some last minute change Abby had made to the ceremony.”
“Amazingly enough, I’m the only one, outside of your lovely bride to be, who can stand you when you’re like this.”
Dominic boomed, “Like what?”
Jake just looked at him until Dominic ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I don’t like the waiting part.”
“Really? I never would have guessed.”
There was a knock on the door.
Mrs. Duhamel poked her head in. “Everyone dressed?”
Jake said, “Yes, Marie.”
She walked up to Dominic, straightened the front of his tuxedo and reached up to put a wayward lock of hair back into place. “How are you boys holding up?”
Jake laughed, “He’s a wreck.”
Dominic growled but didn’t deny it.
Marie made a tsk sound at Jake and said, “It’s not nice to tease him, Jake. Wait until it’s your turn with Lil. You’ll be just as bad.”
“Is everything set for us to fly out tonight?”
“Yes, the jet is packed and all you have to do is get on and go.”
“And on the other side?”
“I’ve lined up two realtors who know South America well. You should have some viable sites chosen by the end of the week.”
“And Abby still thinks we’re going to Spain?” Dominic asked.
Marie nodded. “You’ll have to call me and tell me what she says when she hears that instead of staying in a castle on her honeymoon, she’s going to spend a week in a variety of South American countries buying land for the schools you’re going to build there.”
“I hope she loves it.”
“She will,” Marie said and then snapped her fingers as a thought came to her. “Before I forget, Rosella and Thomas are in the room across from the groomsmen. Nicole and Stephan went in to see them for a short visit. You should go see them, too, before you go down the aisle. Rosella won’t come here because she doesn’t want to intrude, but she’s your mother and she should be part of this.”
Dominic took the older woman into what looked like a bone crushing hug. “Then I am an incredibly lucky man because I have two mothers now.”
Jake mocked his friend’s display of emotion. “Marie, can you believe what Abby has done to my friend?”
Marie turned back to Jake and said, “True love makes people stronger not weaker, Jake. Remember that. I still miss my husband every day, but I can go on because something as strong as we had makes me believe in an afterlife. Treasure these times, boys. Love your women with all you have because the day will come when you must part from them – however temporarily. Arguments will happen but always apologize – even when you’re not sure that you’re the one who was wrong. Pride is a cold bed partner.”
Jake looked across at Dominic. “I hope she’s not about to explain the birds and bees to us.”
Marie folded her arms in disapproval. “You boys know a bit too much about that already if you asked me.”
Jake put an arm around the woman he’d grown to think of like family. “How else are we going to make those little babies you love so much?”
That got a smile from Marie. “You’d better marry Lil soon if that is your intention.”
“Oh, I intend to, Marie. I intend to.” He pocketed Dominic and Abby’s wedding rings and said, “Come on, Dom. Let’s go see Rosella while we still have time. Your afterlife will come sooner than you think if we’re late to the altar.”
Just outside a large white tent where everyone was seated facing a small altar and the ocean, Lil stood beside Zhang. “So, did you meet the Sheikh yet?”
Zhang’s mask of composure was firmly in place. “Not yet, but I’m sure everything will go smoothly.”
“I asked Jake to look into something for me. Do you know that Prince Rachid is completely unattached at the moment? I guess his father had chosen someone for him, but he refused. He didn’t want to marry a pampered princess. Maybe he likes his woman with a bit more backbone.” Lil wiggled her eyebrows at her friend.
Zhang picked up her bouquet and rolled her eyes. “I can assure you that I’m not interested.”
Lil reached out and lightly touched the forearm of the beautifully proud woman before her. “There is no press here today. No one to record an impulsive action if you decide to take one.”
Zhang didn’t soften, but nor did she pull away.
“For just one day, don’t be Zhang the billionaire. Don’t be the woman you think you have to be. You are stunning in that dress. Make that Sheikh squirm.”
Zhang sighed. “I wouldn’t even know how.”
Lil smiled. “Yes, you do. You just have to let go and nature will take its course.” Lil made a quick grab for Zhang’s clutch and opened it, removing her phone. “Step one, no texting. No phone calls. You are not a business woman today. You’re simply a gorgeous woman in a beautiful dress.”
Amazingly enough, Zhang didn’t protest-reaffirming Lil’s belief that this was something her friend yearned to do.
“Step two,” Lil continued, “you pinkie swear to me that you will kiss that Sheikh before midnight tonight.”