Page 10 of Royally Matched
“Sofe, there are more men here than at a sports bar during the Superbowl,” Maddie observes in her utterly American way. “You’ve got your pick of the room, girl.”
“Oh, Sofia doesn’t need the pick of the room. She already knows who she wants,” Amelia says, and I shoot her look. “What? Everyone knows you’ve got a spreadsheet.”
“They do?” I squeak, utterly mortified—despite the fact I’m a big fan of my husband-finding spreadsheet.
“I haven’t heard about a spreadsheet. What’s it about?” Maddie asks.
I open my mouth to reply when Amelia jumps in for me. “She’s listed out all the attributes of the eligible bachelors invited tonight with some kind of weighting system so that she can work out who her perfect match is on paper.”
So helpful, Amelia.
“That sounds really... sensible,” Maddie replies, and I can tell she’s trying to be supportive and it’s not her real opinion on the matter.
Both Amelia and Max snort, and Alex simply smiles as though he’s thinking of something else. There’s no point for guessing what: Maddie.
“It is sensible, Maddie. You’re right. Good on paper equals good in real life,” I reply with confidence. “Everyone knows that.”
I hope I’m right because oh, how I need good on paper to equal good in real life tonight.
Amelia crosses her arms. “No sizzle whatsoever.”
Again, with the sizzle?
“You probably don’t want to stand around talking to us, Sofe. I imagine you want to get in there and start schmoozing with all these blokes,” Alex says.
“There are an awful lot of blokes here, and not nearly enough women,” Max says as he looks around the room at the sea of faces.
“Duh,” Amelia replies. “That’s the whole point, dummy.”
“Next time let’s hold a ball for me. I want this room full of gorgeous women,” Max says, his eyes bright. “Imagine that. A roomful of gorgeous women, all here for me.”
“Sounds like Alex’s whole life,” Maddie replies, nudging her fiancé in the ribs. “Before he met me, that is.”
“You changed everything,” he murmurs as the two gaze at one another.
Good grief.
“Max, surely you’re not saying you want an arranged marriage, too?” Amelia questions.
“An arranged marriage? Are you mad? I just want tomeet a bunch of gorgeous girls,” he replies with a cheeky grin, his eyes dancing at the idea.
“Looks like you’ll be filling your older brother’s shoes. Isn’t that right, Party Prince?” Amelia teases.
“He’s welcome to them,” Alex replies as he hooks an arm around Maddie’s waist. “I’ve got all I need right here.”
“I will gladly take those shoes from you, Alex,” Max replies with a bright smile. “Bring on the gorgeous girls.”
It’s fine for Max. He’s a full five years younger than me,anda male. Father won’t put any pressure on him to get married for years, and by then he’ll be about to become king when Father retires at sixty-five, and he can do whatever he wants anyway.
Life isn’t fair.
And yes, I know I sound like a petulant child. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s the truth.
Father joins our group, accompanied by Mummy, both in red, of course, Mummy with a diamond and ruby encrusted tiara atop her head.
“Good evening, parental figures,” Max says.
“Parental figures,” Amelia says with a snort-laugh.