His Beloved Bride (Wedded to the Sheikh Book 3)

by Holly Rayner

  “You like it, sweetheart?” Lucy asked him.

  “Ooh,” Rashid gurgled.

  “It’s gorgeous,” the saleswoman said. “So beautiful. And we have a lace veil that would go great with it.”

  “Actually,” Alyssa said, “can I try on something else? I don’t think I want to go with a ball gown.”

  The woman’s bright smile dimmed, but only for a second. “Certainly.”

  Going to the rack, she selected the one dress that wasn’t a ball-gown style. Alyssa took the mermaid cut into the dressing room and switched dresses. The gown was nice, but its train was longer than she’d expected and the whole dress was covered with delicate, light pink flowers. It was pretty, but still far too…loud.

  Alyssa frowned at herself in the mirror. Of course the dress was loud. Wasn’t that the point on your wedding day? You were supposed to be the center of attention.

  Alyssa’s stomach knotted. She didn’t want everyone looking at her. Only her family and friends. Certainly not a crowd of hundreds of people she had never met.

  Her head and heart heavy, she left the dressing room. The two salespeople automatically started gushing.

  “It’s heavenly,” the woman said.

  “That pink,” the guy added, “so delicate. You look amazing.”

  Lucy’s face pinched in concern, and she didn’t say anything.

  “Would you like to try on anything else?” the saleswoman asked, gesturing to the rack.

  “Not right now,” Alyssa said. “Thank you.”

  The woman nodded reassuringly. “Wear that one for a bit. Walk around. See how it feels.”

  “Sure,” Alyssa said. “Thanks.”

  The salespeople left, and Alyssa went right back into the dressing room, unzipped the dress, and put on her jeans and blouse. She struggled with the button on her pants, the leftover baby weight making it hard to fasten the favorite jeans that used to fit so well. Without any warning, tears flowed and a sob burst from her chest.

  Lucy knocked on the door and whispered, “Alyssa?”

  “Be right out,” Alyssa choked out.

  Lucy knew she was in there crying, but being the good friend she was, she went back to the couch and waited.

  Alyssa emerged knowing her face was puffy and her eyes were red, but also not really caring. “I couldn’t get my jeans buttoned,” she mumbled.

  “Hm. You’re sure it’s about the jeans and not about something else?”

  “Like the dresses?” Alyssa asked.

  Lucy’s laugh was sputtering. “I wasn’t born yesterday. Let’s break for lunch.”

  “It’s just barely gone eleven.” Alyssa hung the dress on the rack and turned away from the gowns.

  “Then we’ll beat the lunch rush,” Lucy said. “Seems like you could use a little peace and quiet, girl. Let’s get outta here.”

  Chapter 4

  Alyssa

  Twenty minutes later, the two friends sat in a restaurant in Chelsea, Rashid asleep in his stroller. Alyssa sipped her sparkling water, feeling calmer just from sitting down. Around them, waiters in black aprons quietly chatted with the diners. The restaurant’s walls were covered in dark, reclaimed wood, the place feeling cozy and chic at the same time.

  “So, what’s up?” Lucy asked as the waiter dropped off their appetizer, and Lucy immediately dunked a shrimp into the cocktail sauce. “Cold feet?”

  Straightforward. No beating around the bush, even when others might in order to spare feelings. That was Lucy.

  “No,” Alyssa sighed. “That’s not it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” Alyssa studied her friend. She didn’t believe her?

  Lucy read Alyssa’s face, getting the question that wasn’t voiced. “I mean, that’s good.” She shrugged. “Since you have a kid together and all.”

  Alyssa looked down at her sleeping baby and love surged through her. “I love them both so much that sometimes that it feels like I can't take it.”

  “I know you do,” Lucy said softly. “Sorry if I'm coming off a little harsh. You're dealing with a lot right now.”

  “You're always dealing with a lot,” Alyssa said. “And you don't cry in dressing rooms.”

  “Well for one thing, I don't have the time or money to go shopping as often as I cry. And for another—"

  “I never see you cry,” Alyssa interrupted.

  “That's because I'm a shower crier.”

  “Ah, that makes sense.” Alyssa nodded. “Sorry. What was your second point?”

  “The other thing I was going to say…” Lucy pointed a shrimp at her. “Is that your body is still going through a lot of changes. So is your head. It's completely normal to feel out of sorts.”

  “I know,” Alyssa said, “but what's going on isn't all hormonal. Ali and I aren't really seeing eye to eye on the wedding. He wants a traditional Baqari wedding—which supposedly goes on for, like, three days. And he wants to invite all these people I've never met. Dignitaries and whatever.”

  “And you want something smaller,” Lucy said. “More intimate.”

  “Yep. You hit the nail on the head.”

  “I see.” Lucy pursed her lips in thought.

  “Trying on those wedding dresses that look like cupcakes,” Alyssa went on, “it just felt like…like I’m a figurine in this whole thing. Something to be paraded around in front of strangers. Like, ‘Oh look. Here’s Ali’s new wife. Let’s hope she stands there and just looks pretty. Who cares what she wants?’ At the shop, too, it was like that. I told the sales rep I wanted a mermaid-cut dress, and she brought me one. The others were—”

  “Fit for a princess,” Lucy said grimly, with air-quotes. “Yeah, I heard her.”

  “She was excited to dress a modern-day princess, Lu. She didn’t care what I wanted. That’s how this whole wedding feels.”

  Alyssa looked down at her hands, her engagement ring catching her attention. She wanted so badly to add a wedding band given to her by Ali to it, but if the price was giving up her sense of self…was that worth it?

  “So, what are you gonna do?” Lucy asked.

  “I don’t know,” Alyssa admitted. “You don’t have any advice? You usually do.”

  “I’m not so sure you want to hear my advice on this one.”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  Lucy wiped her hands slowly on a napkin. She was either taking her time to formulate a response, or she was working up the suspense.

  “Come on, Lu,” Alyssa begged. “What would you do?”

  Lucy gave her friend a pointed look. “Okay, I don’t want to suggest that you’re being ungrateful, but…”

  The statement hung there as they gazed at each other. Clearly, Lucy wanted some kind of response.

  “But, you think I am?” Alyssa asked.

  Lucy bobbled her head and shrugged.

  Alyssa’s shoulders dropped. “Thanks, Lu.”

  “Hey—”

  “No,” Alyssa interrupted. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.” She set her elbows on the table and dropped her head into her hands with a sigh. “Maybe I am ungrateful,” she said, tears pricking at her eyes.

  “Oh, Alyssa.” Lucy shook her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “But I do have so much,” Alyssa said. “I have an amazing family, and on top of that, I can do almost whatever I want. I can work if I want, or not.”

  Lucy nodded. “Yeah.”

  “The whole royalty thing and being in the public eye…it’s tough. I hated all that pregnancy press last year. Even the last part of it, when everyone was celebrating…it wasn’t that great.”

  “Yep,” Lucy agreed. “I remember.”

  “So, yeah, there are rough parts. But everyone’s life has those tricky areas…” Alyssa looked at Rashid, who wiggled a little in his sleep. “But, generally speaking, the good parts of my life totally outweigh the bad.”

  “Exactly.” Lucy beamed.

  Alyssa narrowed her eyes. “Why do I
get the sense you were trying to get me to figure this out for myself?”

  “Because I was.”

  “Jeez.” Alyssa shook her head. “You’re gonna be a really great lawyer, you know that?”

  “I do.” Lucy happily sipped her water. “And it sounds like you’re going to figure all this out, but can I remind you of one more thing?”

  “Um…yes?”

  “You knew what you were getting into when you got engaged to Ali,” Lucy said. “He’s not some typical American guy. Things are different with him. Some of it is good different, and maybe some of what seems bad is just because it’s different and different can be difficult. But at the end of the day, you’re committed to an amazing, kind guy who will always take care of you and Rashid.”

  Alyssa’s smile trembled. “He is amazing, isn’t he?”

  “He is, and I’m so happy for you, hon. In exchange for that, though, you’ve gotta deal with all the extras and the hubbub and whatever else you want to call it. To a certain degree, you’re gonna be in the public eye. And it’s not as if it’s that crazy or horrible. Ali doesn’t like being the center of attention. If he’s insistent that having a Baqari wedding is important, maybe that’s because it is. Maybe this is one of those things you should compromise on. I don’t see him kicking up a fuss for no good reason, especially since he almost always puts your happiness first…”

  Lucy trailed off with a shrug, paired with a meaningful look.

  It hit Alyssa like a bolt of lightning. What was wrong with her? Of course compromise was a part of any relationship. She knew that already, but she’d been too busy expecting Ali to compromise on the wedding to realize that perhaps, this time, it was important for her to be the one to budge a little first.

  “Why are you friends with me when I’m so stupid?” Alyssa asked.

  Lucy pursed her lips sweetly. “Aw, honey, it’s because you make me feel smarter.”

  As they finished up lunch, Alyssa’s heart became lighter. She’d been so busy trying to get outer circumstances to change that she hadn’t realized that what really needed shifting was her inner state.

  Yes, her wedding was important to her, but it wasn’t just about her. She’d never been one of those little girls who’d made collages of her dream big day. Plus, what was important was that it was a celebration of the love between her and Ali. Yeah, parading in front of hundreds of people she didn’t know would suck, but if she was gonna do it for anyone on Earth, that someone would be Ali.

  “Where to now?” Lucy asked as they left the restaurant. “There’s that really upscale—”

  “Actually, I know where I want to go.” Alyssa waved her phone. “There’s this shop ten blocks from here. I almost didn’t put it on the list, because it’s supposed to be kind of Boho-hippie, but…”

  “A Boho wedding shop?” Lucy asked. “Oh my God, can I move in and live in the racks? Let’s go.”

  They caught a cab there and, as soon as they walked into the shop, Alyssa knew it was the right place. It was the atmosphere. Everything about this shop was calm. Chill. Nothing about it said, “oh hey, have some champagne and let us sell you what you don’t need.”

  “Alyssa. Look.” Lucy held up a wedding veil that had a crown made out of fake sunflowers.

  “Awesome,” Alyssa giggled.

  Rashid cried in his stroller, and Lucy took him out for a cuddle. “Go try something on.”

  Alyssa didn’t need any more encouraging; she was already taking things off the racks. Fifteen minutes later, after trying on several dresses, she slipped into an A-line number. It had three-quarter-length sleeves, no train, and was covered in lace. It was a little tight on her, meaning she couldn’t get the back zipped up all the way, so she left it as was and walked into the viewing area.

  “Oh…my…God.” Lucy stopped playing peekaboo with Rashid and stared.

  “That looks amazing,” the shop assistant said.

  Alyssa smoothed her hands over the lace. “This one is a little small.”

  “Would you like to schedule a fitting?” the salesgirl asked.

  Lucy gasped. “Does that mean you’re getting it?”

  Alyssa nodded, a giant smile on her face. “Yeah. I think this is the dress.”

  “Oh my God, yay!” Lucy shrieked.

  Rashid made happy, gurgling baby noises, signaling his approval and causing all three women to laugh and clap.

  Chapter 5

  Ali

  Dinner was on the table. Flowers were on the island. And…there, the candles were lit.

  Ali pocketed the lighter and walked through the kitchen and dining room, checking everything one last time. After a long day out dress shopping, Alyssa and Rashid would be home any minute.

  After texting some, they had decided on having dinner at home instead of out. Alyssa had her reservations about hiring a sitter they did not know, and Marcie had put a chicken in the oven before leaving. For Ali, dinner at home was just as good as dinner out.

  Besides, it was the news he had to share that would truly make it a good evening. Things had felt off when Alyssa had left to go shopping that morning.

  If Ali could have given her the wedding she wanted, he would, but things were simply not that simple. And so, taking advice from his mother, he was going with the next best thing. He would show Alyssa how wonderful a Baqari wedding could be. Sure, all of the preparation and the show could be exhausting. There was more to it than that, though. If done right, a Baqari wedding could be three days of endless fun.

  The sound of a key jiggling in the front door sent him bounding through the apartment. He pulled the door open, finding Alyssa with Rashid in one arm and the stroller next to them.

  Ali took the baby and gave Alyssa a quick kiss. “Good day?”

  “It was…yeah. Interesting.” Alyssa pushed the stroller into the foyer. “Actually, you know what? It was pretty great, in the end.”

  “In the end?” Ali asked.

  Alyssa turned her smiling face up to his. “Yeah.”

  Still holding Rashid, Ali wrapped his other arm around her waist. Whatever had happened that day, it appeared it had drastically changed Alyssa’s mood. He was happy she was feeling better.

  “I missed you both. It is good to see you,” he said, meaning it with all his heart.

  “Yeah,” Alyssa said softly. “It’s good to see you, too.” She looked past him. “I smell chicken.”

  “Marcie roasted one for dinner.”

  “Mm. Potatoes, too. And green beans.”

  “Wow,” Ali said. “I’m impressed.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m also so hungry I could eat a horse.” Alyssa stepped away and hung her purse on one of the hooks by the door. “I need to change Rashid. I’m pretty sure he just doubled in weight on the elevator ride up here. It must have been the milk he chugged in the taxi.”

  “I’ll change him. You go and get comfortable.”

  “Okay. There’s a new bottle of diaper cream on the shelf. I’m not sure if he’ll need it. This morning, it kinda looked like he might have been getting a rash.” Kicking off her shoes, Alyssa went for the kitchen.

  Ali took the baby to the nursery and laid him on the changing table. Rashid looked up at his father, his brow wrinkling in confusion for a moment. Then, he seemed to recognize who he was with and gave Ali a big, gummy smile.

  “Hello to you, too,” Ali said with a grin. He unbuttoned the baby’s onesie and kept talking while he changed the diaper. “Did you have fun with Mommy and Aunt Lucy?”

  “Ooh,” Rashid gurgled, kicking his legs.

  “Mommy has a surprise coming,” Ali said. “What do you think of that?”

  Rashid’s face wrinkled, and in the blink of an eye, he turned red. A screeching wail filled the whole apartment.

  “Bottle is coming!” Alyssa yelled from the kitchen.

  Ali picked the baby up and set him against his shoulder. “Hear that? The bottle is coming.”

  In the kitchen, Ali took the bottle from Aly
ssa and fed Rashid. “Have a seat,” he told Alyssa.

  Dinner was on the table, covered up and ready to go. Though Ali had never used the silver covers to protect food before Alyssa moved in, they now made good use of them on a regular basis. With a baby in the house, things did not exactly happen like clockwork. Try as they did to keep a schedule, it seemed like they ran behind most of the time.

  “I’ll wait for you,” she said.

  Alyssa took a seat at one of the island stools and watched as Ali fed the baby. With each suckle, Rashid’s eyelids drooped a bit more.

  “It’s early for bed,” Ali said, glancing at the wall clock. Usually, their son did not go to sleep for another hour. “Perhaps I should keep him up a little longer?”

  “He had a long day,” Alyssa explained. “Lots of shopping. Lots of playing with Aunt Lu. I think you can let him fall asleep early.”

  Rashid was still suckling, but it was happening in his sleep. The baby was out. Handing the bottle to Alyssa, Ali crept back to the nursery. There, he set his sleepy son in his crib and turned on the nightlight.

  In the dining room, Alyssa sat reading something on her phone. “Sorry,” she said, putting the phone away. “Work stuff.”

  “I was working today,” Ali said. “It’s perfectly fine.”

  “I know, but it’s dinner. Time to put all that away, right?”

  Ali skirted the table and bent down for a kiss. “I like that perspective.”

  Alyssa uncovered the chicken. “Oh, gosh. Wow. She never disappoints, does she?”

  “She has not yet,” Ali agreed.

  When Alyssa had first moved in, she had set aside a few nights a week for cooking. The rest of the time, Marnie had prepared meals and left them in the fridge. Since the baby had arrived, though, time had become crunched. Now, Alyssa and Ali both were too exhausted to prepare meals. That meant having Marcie around truly was a godsend.

  “Wow, and these potatoes.” Alyssa dished some onto her plate. “I’m starving.” She glanced up at Ali. “Why aren’t you eating?”