by Nikki Carter
So I invited DeShawn. He’s a hottie who goes to Georgia State and plays on the football team with Gia’s boyfriend Ricky. He also models and was in one of my music videos. He’s cool, he’s a friend, and he flirts with me. It doesn’t matter that I am not in the boyfriend-type mood. Having DeShawn with me at the wedding will, at least, keep Sam out of my face. I hope.
The wedding guests have to park their cars at a different location, and then they’ll be driven to the top-secret wedding location. Mystique has sold exclusive rights to her wedding photos to People magazine, so it’s like imperative that nobody take any pictures—paparazzi or guests. They’re even hijacking people’s cell phones at the door.
It’s that serious.
After a few minutes, I hear another car pull up outside the church. Sam and I are given dark jackets and baseball caps to put on, as we exit the back of the building. We look like some ghetto spies.
Once we’re in the car, I notice that the driver is one of Zac’s security guys. He drives us through Atlanta to a beautiful castle on Peachtree called Rhodes Hall.
“I can’t believe they’re getting married here. Right in the middle of everything!” I exclaim to no one in particular.
Sam replies, “This is the perfect location. No one would even suspect that they were getting married this close to downtown Atlanta.”
I narrow my eyes in Sam’s direction. I was not talking to him. Okay ... so I know there are only two other people in the car besides me, and since I don’t know the driver, it’s pretty logical for Sam to assume that I’m talking to him.
But, since he also knows that I can’t stand his guts right now, he shouldn’t assume anything.
We’re dropped off at the back gate of the castle, but since it’s still dark outside no one can see us. Amazingly, there are no paparazzi hiding here. Maybe, it’s because we took a roundabout way to get here. The church where we got picked up from is like ten minutes from the actual venue, but it took us forty minutes to get here.
When Sam and I walk into the building ... wait. I do not like “Sam and I” put together in one sentence. That is so ... ugh!
When I walk into the building (we don’t care what Sam is doing), I see Mystique barking out orders like the bridezilla from the pits of Hades.
“Mother, please tell me that my veil is here. The custom-made diamond-encrusted veil that cost three million dollars to produce is here, right? Because if it’s not here, someone’s head is gonna roll.”
Ms. Layla, Mystique’s mom, puts a hand on her daughter’s back. It’s a calming move, but it doesn’t seem like it works.
“Honey, the veil is here. I just unpacked it. It is with Zac’s security team now. Try to stay calm. You don’t want to look frazzled in your wedding photos.”
“Okay, Mother ... I’m trying. I’m really trying. Where’s Sunday? Is she here yet?”
“Present and accounted for,” I say from the back of the room.
Mystique flies back to greet me and embraces me with a bear hug. Who is this? I’m afraid I have not met this emotional and affectionate person masquerading as Mystique.
“Sunday, I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t have anything else going wrong.”
“I’m here too,” Sam says.
Mystique smiles at Sam and then says to me, “Sunday . . . can you please, please be nice to Sam today? I want you smiling in my pictures.”
I reply through clenched teeth. “I’ll try.”
Mystique seems to accept my reply. I’m glad because it’s the best I can do. She rushes off to fuss at the florist, who apparently has brought an incorrect flower.
“Does this look like a calla lily?” Mystique asks in a high-pitched roar.
I take a seat and wait for someone to tell me what to do. I don’t want to get in Mystique’s path. Not today.
I know that if I ever get married (and that is so not in the plans any time soon), I don’t want it to be like this.
DAFINA KTEEN BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2012 by Nikki Carter
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
KTeen Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
Sunburst logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-7775-6
ISBN-10: 0-7582-7269-3