At His Majesty's Convenience by Jennifer Lewis Page B

frowned. “At least I think so.”
    â€œWell, I saw it in the National Enquirer, so it must be true, right?” Lizzie’s voice was bright with laughter. “There’s a picture of you with a rock on your finger the size of my Mini Cooper. Is that thing real?”
    Andi stared at the glittering stones. She was pretty sure it was a real diamond, but was it a real engagement ring? “Sure. It’s from a jeweler here in town. Jake bought it for me yesterday.”
    â€œSounds pretty official to me. Is he good in bed?”
    Andi’s mouth fell open.
    â€œCome on, I’d tell you. Or do royal romances not involve any sex?”
    Her teasing voice brought a smile to Andi’s lips. “He’s amazing.”
    â€œHa. I had a feeling. I’ve seen pictures of him and he’s seriously handsome. I love the dark flashing eyes. Is he romantic?”
    â€œVery.” She could almost feel his arms around her right now, holding and steadying her. “He’s been so sweet with me since I lost my memory. We’ve managed to keep it a secret so far. You and Mom and the doctor he called are the only other people who know.”
    â€œWhy keep it a secret?”
    â€œI guess because I felt so vulnerable. Like everyone around me knows more about me than I do. I didn’t want anyone to know. It’s all coming back now, though. Not all the tiny details yet, like work stuff I have to do, but the bigger things like who I know and where I’m from and…”
    How much I’ve always loved Jake.
    Were they really going to be married and live happily ever after? It seemed too much to hope for.
    â€œSo you’re going to be a queen. Will I have to curtsy to you?”
    â€œGosh, I hope not.” Andi laughed. “What a strange idea. I can’t quite see myself with a crown on.”
    â€œYou’d better get used to the idea. Can I be your maid of honor? Or maybe they don’t have them in Ruthenia.”
    â€œI have no idea. I’ve never planned a wedding here and apparently I haven’t paid close enough attention at the few I’ve attended.” Images of Jake’s other would-be brides crowded her mind. Alia and Maxi and Carlotta and Liesel…there were so many of them. Rich and beautiful and fawning all over him. Why, out of all the glamorous and powerful women available to him, had Jake chosen her?
    It was time to track him down and ask some questions.
    Â 
    After promising to call Lizzie back and tell her the details, Andi went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Her cosmetics were strung out along a shelf, which was not how she used to keep them. She also remembered that she nearly always tied her rather wispy hair up in a bun and slicked it down with gel—she was always experimenting with different brands as the Ruthenian climate was surprisingly humid. Now her hair lay loose around her shoulders, and her face looked oddly colorless without the lipstick and blush she usually donned.
    A glance in her closet reminded her she was a hard-core suit wearer. She felt it was important to project a professional image, and she liked bright colors as they seemed assertive and positive. Right now she had on a rather uncharacteristic pastel yellow blouse and a pair of slacks and her hair wafted around her shoulders. People must have noticed the difference.
    Part of her felt embarrassed that she’d been walking around the palace looking like a paler, less polished versionof herself. And part of her wondered whether Jake actually preferred the less made-up look. He’d chosen the super-casual jeans and T-shirt she’d worn all the previous day. She blushed as she remembered he’d also chosen the racy lingerie. A glance in her underwear drawer confirmed that cotton briefs and no-nonsense bras were more her style.
    Still, if Jake liked lacy lingerie and jeans, she could adjust. She couldn’t resist smoothing just a hint