Chapter 37
Harper
Ford and I have talked every day since Gina’s wedding.
We decided to slow things down while we figure out what we’re doing, but I have to admit, being with him is remarkable.
It’s intense and passionate, and I feel like I can trust him—he says what he means and means what he says.
He doesn’t try to make me smaller. If anything, he encourages me to be my authentic self.
I’ve regained a confidence I haven’t felt in far too long, and it’s all thanks to him. Yet, I’m still overwhelmed by my feelings for him, and I haven’t quite figured out what this all means. After the holidays, I’ll be heading back to Pittsburgh, and we should discuss our next steps.
As I approach his storefront, I brace myself for the difficult conversation ahead when Kenzie suddenly jumps out at me. I clearly need to stop thinking about Ford because that’s when Asher and Kenzie find me distracted enough to bombard me.
“You have to come to my rehearsal dinner tonight,” Kenzie insists, taking my hands in hers.
I stare at her, utterly confused. We haven’t spoken since the bachelorette party. “Excuse me?”
“It would mean so much to me. Plus, Asher’s grandma will be there. She mentioned how much she wants to see you, especially since you spend every Christmas Eve with them.”
Damn it. Guilt creeps in. His grandmother has always been so kind to me, but this feels strange. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate, Kenzie. The ex-fiancée showing up at the rehearsal dinner when I’m not attending the wedding seems odd.”
“You’re not?”
She cannot be serious. “I have other plans. It’s Christmas Eve.”
“But you have to come! You may not be in the wedding, but you’re still a big part of our lives.”
“Did you fall and hit your head?”
She just laughs. “You’re so silly, Harp. Six o’clock. Don’t be late. Love you!”
I want to argue, but she hurries away before I can respond, leaving me staring in shock as she disappears from view.
Walking into the store, I’m stunned. Absolutely shocked.
“What’s wrong?” Ford asks, rushing around the counter and gripping my shoulders. “You look sick. Or like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I point over my shoulder with my thumb. “I, um, I think I sort of agreed to go to both the wedding tomorrow and the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
“Why?”
Blinking, I shake my head. “Did Kenzie slam her head into something hard that you heard about and I didn’t?”
Ford chuckles. “No.”
“Because I swear she must have head trauma to pull this. It was so bizarre, Ford.”
“Bizarre even for Kenzie?”
“She called me ‘love you’ before she ran off. She’s never said that to me before. Ever. Even when we were friends.”
Something flickers across Ford’s face, reminding me why I love talking to him—he doesn’t hide his emotions, even if he doesn’t always verbalize them.
“I’m going with you.”
I almost tell him he’ll be there regardless, but then I remember he quit as Asher’s best man. “You don’t have to—”
“You are not going in there alone. It sounds like a trap.”
It really does. That’s why I’m so shocked. What does Kenzie have planned? I hug him tightly and sigh, deciding it’s better to discuss our future after Christmas. I need him by my side tomorrow.
“This is so not how I want to spend my holiday.”
“And how do you want to spend it?”
Laughing, I smile against his chest. “Honestly? I’d love to spend the entire day in bed.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that.”
“Not like that. Well, maybe, but that’s not what I meant.”
“It’s what I mean.”
He laughs, and the vibration against my cheek is soothing. We haven’t been together since the coatroom, and the longing for him is palpable. We’ve kissed and explored, but we haven’t truly come together again, despite how much we both crave it.
“I have a question, and I need you to tell me the truth,” Ford says.
Leaning back, I frown. “I don’t lie to you, Ford.”
“And no excuses or comments like ‘nothing’ or ‘never mind.’ Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Because it’s been bothering me for over a week.”
Worry fills me, and I nod. “What’s your question?”
“What the hell were you talking about when you mentioned bratwurst twice at the bachelor party?”
I burst out laughing, relieved it’s nothing serious. “Think about it.”
“I have been. I haven’t stopped.”
“Gina.”
“No, I need more than that, missy.”
Smirking, I blush. “Gina and I were chatting about how she thought I should take you to bed that night. She made some comment about still looking at the menu even though she’s madly in love with Lance.”
He frowns. “The menu?”
“She wanted to know if you were built like… a hot dog or a—”
“Bratwurst.”
I can’t help but giggle. “I told her I was pretty confident you were a bratwurst based on our encounter in the backyard, and then I saw you to confirm it.”
He cups my face and rubs my cheeks with his thumbs. “So, did you tell Gina your findings?”
Scrunching my nose, I nod. “Don’t be mad.”
“I’d only be mad if you thought I was a hot dog instead. Or a cocktail wiener.”
“Definitely not!” I laugh.
“And is it more than adequate for you?”
His question almost comes off as insecure, but there’s a playful glint in Ford’s eyes. He’s flirting, trying to coax the words he wants to hear from me.
“It’s okay.”
“Okay?” he nearly shouts. “That’s it?”
“What do you want me to say?” I flirt back.
He picks me up and sets me on the counter, bracing himself with his palms beside my legs. “I want you to tell me I’m the best you’ve ever had.”
“If you’re saying that, you’ve already talked to Gina for confirmation. You don’t need me to say it.”
“But I want you to say it.”
“I’m not asking you to say—”
“Making love to you was the most mind-blowing experience I’ve ever had, and I’m afraid I’m now addicted to you, Harper Wallace.”
Damn, he’s good. Running my fingers through his hair, I sigh. “I’ve never used the term ‘toe curling’ before, but it’s the only way to accurately describe how good you are, Crawford Stokes. And I’ve never come twice in one session before our little tryst in the coatroom.”
He groans and buries his head in his hands. “And you’re sure we should hold off still?”
The throbbing between my legs disagrees, but I nod. “I want to make sure we’re getting to know each other and see what this is without our bodies getting involved.”
“See, I think we could do both.”
“Neither of us thinks clearly when we’re in that state. We had sex in a coatroom anyone could have walked into at my sister’s wedding. That’s not smart.”
“But it was so damn fun.”
Kissing him, I moan. “I can’t argue, but I need to ensure it’s more than just sex.”
“Whatever you need, Harper, I’ll do.”
“Thank you,” I say, but I regret it the moment he steps back.
I’ve never felt such strong attraction before, but it also terrifies me. Everything with Ford is exhilarating yet intense. It would be easy to fall for him, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet—not after everything that happened with Asher.