A Decade of Misplaced Devotion Chapter 06
I beamed back, my voice thick with excitement. “Welcome my bride, Lynn Hayes!”
The guests gawked, utterly bewildered.
“Isn’t this Matteo and Stella’s wedding? Now there’s an extra groom and bride?”
“I’m confused as hell.”
“Can’t you see? Their relationship fell apart. He’s got a new girl, and she’s got a new guy.”
Stella turned livid with anger. “Matteo, what the hell does this mean?”
I ignored her, heading straight to my bride. “It’s been a while.”
Lynn smiled sweetly. “Long time, my groom.”
“Did you bring her here to spite me?” Stella snapped, losing her composure.
I stayed ice-cool. “Using my lifelong happiness to spite you? You think too highly of yourself. Allow me to introduce my bride, Lynn Hayes. Lynn, this is my…”
I trailed off, stuck on how to label Stella without it getting messy. Lynn caught my hesitation and winked playfully. “Your ex, right? Hi, Ms. Stafford. I’m Matteo’s childhood friend and his bride today.”
She possessively linked her arm through mine, practically hanging off me. I chuckled at her clinginess, shaking my head.
15 years apart, and she was still the same goofy kid from back then. She hadn’t changed a bit.
Seeing how well Lynn and I got along drove Stella mad. She shoved past Laurent’s attempts to stop her
and rushed over, trying to yank Lynn away from me.
I quickly shielded Lynn and glared at Stella. “What now?”
That was her go-to line every time Laurent and I clashed. Now I threw it back.
She teared up. “Because of that woman, you’re so mean to me? Kick her out now, and we’ll continue our wedding. Otherwise, it’s off, and we won’t reschedule!”
Lynn tilted her head with feigned confusion: “Ms. Stafford, isn’t your groom right beside you? If you’re canceling the wedding, discuss it with him, not my groom. Saying things like that could easily cause misunderstandings.”
Stella shot daggers at her. “Who are you to speak here? I know Matteo hired you to piss me off. How much did he pay you? I’ll double it. Get out of my wedding now!”
Lynn cracked up at that, which annoyed Stella even further. “What’s so funny?”
“Well, I guess you’ve been reading too many trashy novels to get that crazy idea,” Lynn said calmly.” Check out our marriage certificate. We got it yesterday, and you’re the first outsider to see it.”
She dangled the certificate in Stella’s face, grinning like the cat that ate the canary.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.
