Chapter 3
Harper
Once I mentioned the wedding venue to Gina, she released me from her initial wedding planning duties. I need fresh air and the embrace of darkness. Something to shield me from the town while I try to escape the suffocating feeling closing in around me.
I settle on the steps of the gazebo, a place that has been more significant to me than anywhere else in my life. This was our meeting spot during school, where Kenzie, Tracy, Alex, and I gathered. It became our territory, and others would shift aside when we approached.
“Harper?”
I freeze but then relax upon seeing only Alex and Tracy. Part of me wanted to reach out to them, but it felt complicated. Alex Andrews is Asher’s twin sister, and Tracy Danford is their cousin. It all feels too intertwined.
“Hey, guys,” I say, forcing a smile and not bothering to conceal the wine bottle at my side. The open wine bottle.
They rush over, wrapping me in quick hugs before taking their usual spots on the steps.
Memories flood my mind—countless meals shared here, drinks we snuck, and secrets whispered.
The chill in the air signals the arrival of colder weather, but no snow has fallen yet.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kenzie manages to steal that, too, claiming snow for her wedding day.
“I can’t believe we’re attending a wedding on the same day we were supposed to stand beside you,” Tracy says.
Alex sighs dramatically. “I’m so pissed Mom made us agree to be bridesmaids. Kenzie got to her when she was drunk after we turned her down.”
“With a few fingers added to show her what we really think of this wedding,” Tracy adds with a smirk.
Frowning, I shake my head. “You didn’t want to be in the wedding?”
“Are you kidding?” Alex exclaims. “The only reason we tolerated Kenzie was because you were her best friend.”
“Yeah, we secretly hoped you’d see her conniving ways and drop her. Then we’d never have to deal with her again. But you’re too nice for that, so we had to stick around,” Tracy says.
“I’m pretty sure Mom’s relieved she doesn’t have to pay for the venue. Kenzie’s family isn’t even showing up.”
That confirms it. They’ve taken my date, my venue, and my money. Now I must know more. Despite saying I didn’t want to know, curiosity claws at me.
“If I ask you something, will you be honest with me?”
I lock eyes with both of them, waiting for their nods. “Of course,” Tracy replies.
“Was Asher cheating with Kenzie before he called off the engagement? Were they sleeping together?”
“Yes.”
I sigh and take a swig straight from the wine bottle in my hand as I grip it by the neck. Deep down, I suspected it, but hearing it confirmed hits differently.
“We’re so sorry, Harper,” Alex says. “If it helps, we both gave Asher a piece of our minds. More than once.”
“Not that it does any good. That man has a skull thicker than a caveman’s,” Tracy adds.
“And the intelligence to match,” I reply, letting out a humorless laugh. “I wish you would’ve told me.”
“We didn’t know how,” Alex admits. “And honestly, we wished it wasn’t true. I mean… Kenzie? Gross. How he can sleep with her after everything she did with Mr. Samson to avoid failing senior year is beyond me,” Tracy says, visibly shuddering.
“I almost ran into your mom today, Alex,” I say, taking another swig.
It feels surreal to drink while discussing her mother, knowing she is very likely doing the same thing. No one blinks an eye when she drinks straight from vodka bottles. “Who needs glasses? It’s just something to clean up later.”
“She must not have seen you. She didn’t mention anything.”
“I escaped by ducking into Ford’s shop. He was one of the last people I expected to find there.”
They both chuckle, and Tracy sighs. “Yeah, the town loner now runs a business that requires him to be social. But he’s really good at what he does—and he works alone.”
“And he’s gotten so hot,” Alex says, fanning her face.
That’s an understatement, but I keep quiet. The last thing I want is for anyone to overhear me and spread rumors. I don’t want to be known as just like Asher, hooking up with my ex’s best friend.
“He was furious when he heard what Asher did to you, Harper,” Tracy says.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“He threw Asher against a wall, demanding to know how he could cheat on you and then plan to marry using your plans and dreams. But I guess Asher said something to convince him because he agreed to be the best man, even though he claimed he was too busy to be in your wedding, Harp.”
Nodding, Alex chuckles. “Ford’s been in love with you for years. He couldn’t stand next to Asher when he married the woman of Ford’s dreams.”
“Wait, Ford wasn’t going to be in the wedding?” I lean forward, my heart racing. “Asher said he was the best man. He told me Ford was excited and wished us nothing but happiness.”
They both shake their heads. “Ford disappeared for two days after you got engaged. No one knows where he went, and he was even harder to deal with than usual,” Alex explains.
“Things shifted when he found out Asher called off the wedding. He was furious at Asher for hurting you, but Ford’s been almost… ”
“Jolly?” Alex suggests.
Tracy snaps her fingers, pointing at him. “Exactly. Happy.”
This doesn’t make any sense. Ford has always been rough around the edges, but we’ve gotten along well. If he wasn’t in our wedding, why would Asher say he was? And why would he be in Kenzie’s wedding?
“Don’t worry,” Tracy says, resting her hand on my knee, pulling my thoughts from Ford. “We’ve already started the sabotage process.”
“The what?” I ask, brows furrowing.
“We’re going to sabotage the wedding,” Alex declares.
As much as I’d love to let them, it wouldn’t be right. “Don’t.”
“But—”
“No, it’s not going to go the way you think. Kenzie’s very good at playing the victim. She’ll be part of your family after the wedding, so don’t do that to yourselves.”
They stare at each other in awe, and I realize neither has thought beyond the thrill of sabotage. Kenzie will become an Andrews, and they’ll be stuck with her forever.
The thought brings tears to my eyes, and I take another swig to try to forget.
“Harper? Harper Wallace?” Kenzie’s voice grates on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I wish I had chosen the other side to sit on. She wouldn’t have seen me there. The second-to-last person I want to see is her.
“She manages the boutique across the street, but she’s not usually here this late,” Alex mutters. “I thought we were in the clear.”
Seeing her freezes me in place. Her normally dark hair is now dyed honey blonde, her makeup different, and she wears the same jacket as me—just in a different color.
“We would’ve suggest going somewhere else if we’d known,” Tracy whispers.
Although I remain silent, Kenzie strides over, waving her left hand, trying to catch the light from the street lamps to glimmer off her ring. If it’s right in my face, I’ll have to say something about it.
God, she’s so predictable.
“It’s so good to see you!” Kenzie beams, her smile wide. “I didn’t think we’d see you in Frosthaven Falls for a while. You know… being so embarrassed and all. Not that I blame you.”
Why did I talk Gina out of hitting her? Now that she stands in front of me, I can’t think of a single reason. Not one.
“I should get home. Gina needs help planning the wedding.”
Kenzie’s expression falls. “Gina’s getting married?”
“Yeah, the weekend before your wedding,” Alex replies. “Didn’t you hear?”
“It’s the talk of the town. More people care than when you got engaged,” Tracy adds.
Scoffing, Kenzie crosses her arms under her chest. “It figures your sister would try to upstage me.”
“I don’t think you were even a factor,” I retort.
“What, is she pregnant?”
“Are you?”
“Wouldn’t that just eat you alive?”
The look on Kenzie’s face is one I’ve never seen before—blatant triumph. “No, it wouldn’t,” I reply, surprised by my own conviction.
They’ve taken so much from me, but the thought of Kenzie having Asher’s baby doesn’t stab at me like I expect. Now I’m confused.
“You can say that all you want, honey, but no one believes you. But we’ll pretend.”
The urge to break her nose is strong, even though I’ve never been in a physical fight. In fact, I’ve barely had any verbal altercations. I tend to shy away from confrontation.
“I’m gonna go,” I say, standing up.
Alex and Tracy both hug me before forming a human shield to block Kenzie from attempting the same gesture. The last thing anyone wants is a hug from their backstabbing former best friend.
“I’ll see you around, bestie!” Kenzie calls after me as I exit the opposite side of the gazebo.
The way she says that one word says it all. We will never be best friends again. There’s no reason to have Kenzie Marks in my life anymore.