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Lily’s eyes were wide. “Uh,how?You’re literally getting fake?—”
The door burst open, causing both of us to jump.
“There she is!” an accented voice said. A short woman with long black hair walked in. I hadn’t seen her before, which meant she must have been here for Levi. “I can’t believe my mess of a stepson is getting married and didn’t let me meet his bride beforehand!”
The door opened again and a woman with graying, dark hair peeked in. Her eyes were covered, but she looked vaguely familiar. “You’re dressed, right? I’m so sorry if you’re not!”
“We’re all women here,” the other woman said, crossing her arms. “And yes, she’s dressed. She looks like a princess!”
“Um, what’s happening?” I asked.
“I’m Isra,” the woman with black hair said, turning to me. “Levi’s stepmom.”
“And I’m Nancy.” The other woman uncovered her eyes and I saw the same blue-green shade that Levi had. “His mother.”
“We had to sneak around to find you. I can’t believe he didn’t let us meet you before the wedding! Where was he hiding you?”
I knew nothing about Levi’s family, which was not going to bode well for this conversation.
“Um, maybe we can chat after the ceremony—” Both women turned to Lily with a frown, and she straightened. “Or not?”
“It’s okay,” I replied. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed. I might not be the best at conversation.”
“It’s okay,” Nancy said with a smile. “I was a nervous wreck, though my marriage didn’t work out.”
“I was calm as a cucumber,” Isra replies, crossing her arms. “But I also never get nervous.”
“Wow, what’s that like?” I asked.
“So, you’re Amy,” Nancy said with a smile. “The woman who finally got Levi to settle down.”
“It’s about time,” Isra added.
“I am. Don’t ask me how, but I did.”
“He once said he was never getting married,” Isra said. “I told him he would change his mind.”
“No I told you so’s on his wedding day,” Nancy said. “That’s for the dayafter.”
“So, you’re his mom and stepmom,” Lily said. “And you two get along?”
Nancy waved her hand. “Oh, we’re best friends these days.”
“And she was the one who introduced me to his father,” Isra added. “Then he died and we decided to join forces on raising Levi.”
I straightened. I didn’t know his dad had died.
But it was something I should know, considering I was marrying him.
“I’m glad you did. I know it affected himsomuch.”
“Has he admitted it to you?” Nancy asked. “He never wants to show it to us.”
“O-of course. I mean, I’m his fiancé.”
“And yet he couldn’t invite you for dinner!” Isra scoffed.
“It was a whirlwind, and I’m known for moving fast.”