Chapter 3

He froze. He turned to look at me, stunned.

"When did you figure it out?"

"The moment I took your hand."

"I also know you're not one of Enzo's original best men."

He stubbornly denied it.

"I am!"

"Don't lie to me."

"I've met most of Enzo's friends. None of them wear that cologne."

"Most importantly, anyone Enzo hired wouldn't agree to carry me downstairs."

"Much less talk to me first."

He didn't expect to give himself away on something so small. He finally admitted it.

"I'm Marco Vito. I'm not one of Enzo's men."

Then he turned to look at me.

His face was full of hope.

I frowned.

I searched my memory for the name.

Nothing.

He looked down, disappointed. His hands tightened on the wheel.

"We played together when we were kids. You don't remember me."

When I was little, I was the leader of the kids in the family territory.

I'd hand out candy from my jar every day.

Too many kids played with me.

And I'm face-blind.

"Actually, I just wanted to see you in your wedding dress."

"That guy said he needed a stand-in, shoved the boutonniere in my hand, and left."

"Just a look? You don't want to be the real groom today?"

He grunted.

I pointed to the side road.

"Listen to me. Turn here."

Our car turned onto the small road.

None of the cars behind followed.

A best man got out and knocked on Enzo's window.

"Enzo, maybe we should follow your wedding car."

Enzo frowned. Before he could refuse,

Ella rolled down the back window and smiled.

"Sure. I thought we didn't have enough cars anyway."

Enzo glanced at our direction.

"But then Luna won't have any wedding cars."

"Just say the others got stuck in traffic. As long as we meet at the hotel."

Ella poked his back with a finger.

"You promised I'd get to feel like a bride today."

"You're not backing out, are you?"

Enzo pushed down his unease and spoke calmly.

"I'm not backing out."

Meanwhile, I had Marco stop at City Hall.

"Do you have your ID?"

He blinked, then quickly understood.

He pulled out his ID.

Turning onto this road led to City Hall.

I'd found it half a month ago while test-driving the wedding route.

Back then, I'd thought—

On the way to pick up the bride, we could stop and get the license.

So I kept my ID in my pocket.

"So, will you marry me and be the real groom at today's wedding?"

"Wait. Let me make a call."

Marco didn't answer right away. He pulled out his phone.

"Mom, I'm getting married in an hour."

"Get Dad and come to the estate, third floor, second crystal hall. Have them change the groom's name to mine."

"Especially the welcome poster at the door—take it down!"

"I'll bring the bride soon."

He hung up and grinned at me.

"Now we're good."

We walked out of City Hall with the marriage license.

My anger-cooled brain finally settled a little.

But Marco immediately snatched the license from my hand.

"No pockets in the dress. I'll hold it for you."

My phone rang. Mom's number flashed on the screen.

I answered.

Her anxious voice came through.

"Luna, the wedding's about to start. Where are you?"

I lied without blinking.

"We got a flat tire. It's fixed. We're on our way."

My mother relaxed.

"Good. Hurry."

My mother never hangs up first.

She always waits for the other person.

She thought I'd hung up. She turned to Enzo.

"Luna's fine. Just a flat tire."

"Start your wedding without her."

"The stand-ins for her wedding are already arranged. Nothing will go wrong."