Page 105 of The Backup Groom

Amber covered her face. “That story is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.”

“It was an honest mistake,” my mom said. “Now, why didn’t I think of bringing some of those brownies with me?”

“That’s what I was wondering,” Stella said, pumping her eyebrows like Groucho Marx.

Amber leaned closer to whisper, “Very soon, I will be Amber Scott. It’s got a nice ring to it.”

I leaned closer for her hand and squeezed it. “It certainly does.”

Faye, the officiant, got everybody’s attention, ready to get down to business. “Okay, we can get started now.” She gave instructions on the entrance point for the processional and all the other parts of the ceremony. “Then after you kiss—”

Dean interrupted, grinning. “Maybe you should practice the kiss.”

“Not a bad idea,” Faye said, being a good sport about it.

“I don’t have a problem with that.” I pulled Amber close and dipped her, before giving her a kiss with everything that I had in me.

She straightened out, looking a little disoriented. “Wow.”

“Bravo! Such a beautiful kiss for two people who are faking their relationship!” Mercedes said, clapping as she approached. “It really is too bad you’re never going to get married.”

“Who is this?” my dad asked.

“Amber’s cousin,” I whispered. “She’s crazy. Long story, but it looks like Amber is going to handle it.”

Amber broke away from me and stormed toward her cousin. There was a fierceness in her eyes that I had never seen before. If Mercedes hadn’t been such a pain in our asses, I’d almost feel sorry for her, but I wasn’t in a forgiving mood, not today. With that woman’s mouth, there was no telling what she was about to spew.

“Leave or I’m going to call the police,” Amber said. “Now.”

They were practically nose-to-nose.

Mercedes laughed. “Whatever—don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’ll be out of here soon enough. You have to admit that my success rate of tracking down your Ryan Scotts and disposing of them is pretty impressive. Shall we dispose of another one?” She smiled. “I think we shall! I have some breaking news that will definitely interest you.”

“Nothing you can say is going to change the fact that I am getting married,” Amber said. “I’ve already told you you’re wasting your time.”

“Well, I’m going to have to disagree with you there, naive cousin of mine,” Mercedes said, nonchalantly buffing her nails on her shirt. “Because the man you are planning on marrying, Scotty, also known as Mr. Ryan Scott the third, hasn’t divorced Tiffany Scott yet. Can you believe that? You’re going to marry a bigamist. Something tells me you’re not going to visit him while he’s in jail.” She placed two fingers on her lips, giggling. “Whoopsie.”

My worst nightmare was playing out before my very own eyes.

I swallowed hard as my muscles tensed up.

My eyelids were twitching.

Dizziness swamped me.

My chest hurt, making it hard to breathe.

“Do you really expect me to believe that ridiculous story?” Amber asked. “Seriously, how dumb do you think I am?”

Mercedes thought about it. “I mean, honestly, you’re about as stupid as they come, if you don’t think I’m telling the truth. I have my own private investigator. I’m sure you knew that. Now, it may be legal to have two wives in some countries, but it is frowned upon and against the law in the United States. And if you don’t believe me, ask your not-future husband.”

That’s when Amber glanced my way.

After our eyes connected, I watched the color drain from her face.

Mercedes cackled at me, which made my pulse bang even harder in my neck. “Go ahead. Ask him. I promise to leave after you have your answer.”

Amber continued to stare at me. Her mouth opened, but I could see the hesitation. She turned to Stella, then back to me, studying me.