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his voice said the matter was settled.
    Ria looked into her father’s face. “I love you, Dad, but not even for you will I marry a man who thinks I should be patted on the head once in a while and put in the corner like a good little girl the rest of the time.”
    White lines bracketed Simon’s mouth. “That boy’s only ever treated you with respect.”
    “He treats me like a dimwit,” Ria said, skin blazing with temper. “Last week, he told me I wouldn’t have to worry about finances when we were married, that he knows math confuses females.”
    Alex made a choked little sound that succeeded in ripping Ria’s attention from her father’s disapproving face. Alex’s expression was a mix of outrage and disbelief. “He did not say that. You’re making it up.”
    “Popo?” Ria turned to her right.
    Miaoling ate a fried shrimp and nodded. “He said it. Then he smiled as if expecting praise.”
    Alex’s hands clenched on the tablecloth. “And who does he think does the books for the shop, huh?”
    “Alex.” Simon closed his hand over his wife’s. “We’re getting off topic.”
    Taking a deep breath, Alex nodded. “You’re right. Sweetheart, Tom is a very good match for you. You never had a problem with him before you met that disreputable leopard.”
    Ria supposed Emmett was disreputable—that stubble, those hands that had squeezed and petted, those eyes that told her he wanted to do all kinds of wicked things to her. But . . . “He’s an honorable man.” That core of honor was so much a part of him, she wondered if he was even aware of it. It was why it had been so easy for her to lose control in the gym today—she’d trusted Emmett to take care of her. And that, she thought, was a dangerous thing . . . the kind that could lead to a broken heart if she wasn’t careful. “He’s protecting our family.”
    “Exactly,” Jet said, jumping into the conversation. “Maybe he’s making time with you while he does this duty, but he won’t marry you, Ria. Those cats stick together.”
    Ria’s stomach twisted, because she knew her brother was right. “This isn’t about Emmett. It’s about me. I will, under no circumstances, marry Tom.”
    “Why not?” Alex asked, eyes flashing. “He’s intelligent, handsome, has a good job, and brings you flowers.”
    Frustrated, Ria threw down her napkin and rose to her feet. “If he’s that great, you marry him. I will not marry a man who hasn’t even attempted to French-kiss me the entire year we’ve been ‘dating.’ ”
    Her parents yelled her name, but Jet’s incredulous voice drowned them out. “Seriously? Not even a little tongue? You’re right—dude is lame.”
    “JET!” It was Alex. She flew into a rapid stream of Mandarin.
    Miaoling looked up at Ria and winked. “Sit. Eat.”
    And oddly enough, Ria did. The family fought through the entire meal, but now her parents were mad at Jet because he figured Tom had to be gay.
    Alex glared at her son. “Maybe he’s just being respectful of your sister.”
    “No effing way.” A skeptical snort. “Men aren’t that noble when it comes to women they want.” Jet turned to his wife, his voice dropping. “When I saw Amber, all I wanted to do was—”
    “You finish that sentence,” Alex threatened, “and you’ll be breathing fire I’ll put so much chili in your food.”
    Amber grinned and blew Jet a kiss. “You know, it sounds to me like Tom’s planning to marry Ria and get himself a nice, respectable wife, while having a bit on the side.”
    Simon’s mouth fell open at this scandalous contribution from his flawlessly elegant daughter-in-law.
    Miaoling ate another shrimp. “She’s right. Like father, like son.”
    Silence. Deeper. More shocked.

FIVE
    S imon cleared his throat. “Mother,” he said, his tone that of a man who knows he’s done for, “is that true?”
    “You think I’m lying?”
    “I think you’d do anything for your favorite granddaughter.”
    Leaning back, Miaoling