Chapter 6
Harper
Hearing Gina say she’s having my first niece or nephew fills me with a joy I didn’t expect. Perhaps it’s because I know how much she longs for this baby.
She and Lance struggled for two years before they got engaged, and each time the pregnancy test showed a negative result, she would call me, her voice trembling with tears.
Doctors found no medical reason to explain their struggle.
Her egg count was healthy, and there were no illnesses that should hinder her chances. Lance’s count was good, too.
They tried at various times throughout the month, and Gina often joked that the process had become so tedious they risked losing their spark. It was far from the passionate intimacy most people associate with making love.
“Okay, that’s awesome, and I’m super happy, but I have questions.”
The two of them are anything but traditional.
They approach life in a completely unconventional way, especially for our small town.
Their story began with a one-night stand during their junior year of high school, after which they decided to remain friends.
For two years, that’s all they were: just friends.
Then, during their freshman year of college, they slipped into dating without any formal conversation about it. They simply existed as… them.
Gina has always been a free spirit—much to Mom’s dismay—and when she expressed her desire to have a baby years ago, I was taken aback. The idea of being tied down never appealed to her, which is why I never thought she and Lance would end up married.
“You want to know why we have to rush this?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “You’ve never been traditional. Why do you need to get married before the baby comes?”
She laughs lightly. “It’s not that. I know you’ll think I’m crazy, or maybe hormonal, but I’ve always wanted to wear Mom’s wedding dress. I only have a small window before I start showing, and once the baby arrives, who knows if I’ll fit into it again?”
“You know there are alterations, right?” I counter.
“It’s not the same.”
No, it’s not. But I’m still amazed that Gina wants to marry in Mom’s dress. It’s nothing extravagant—there might even be shoulder pads.
“Only you and Lance know,” she adds. “Mom and Dad don’t have a clue.”
“Got it,” I say, walking away with a smile to capture more moments on camera.
My sister’s having a baby. Given my own circumstances, I’m relieved it’s her and not me in this situation, though a pang of envy tugs at me. Everything Gina has is what I’ve always wanted. But I would never take that away from her. She deserves it all.
“Hi, Harper,” Mr. Miller greets me. “How are you holding up?”
That question encapsulates the next hour of the party. I snap pictures while someone inevitably approaches to check on me, gauging whether I’m on the verge of breaking down and ruining my sister’s celebration.
It feels like no one here truly knows me, even though many came to visit Mom shortly after I was born.
I. Don’t. Like. Scenes.
After a lull, I take a break to grab a drink at the bar. I’ve successfully dodged Asher and Kenzie, and I think they’ve left. After the initial shock of their entrance faded, Kenzie wasn’t getting much attention, and she’s never one to linger when the spotlight isn’t on her unless she has to.
“Wow, I really ignored it all, didn’t I?” I murmur before accepting a glass of wine from the bartender and thanking him.
Asher suddenly appears beside me, and I jump, spilling some wine onto the bar top. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I reply, slightly annoyed, grabbing the rag handed to me by the bartender to clean up the mess.
“How are you doing?” he asks.
“Really excellent. You?”
“I’m great,” he responds. “I’m marrying an amazing woman in a couple of weeks, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
Yet there’s something in his tone, a flicker in his eyes, that contradicts his words. He seems to have forgotten our fifteen years together. I can read every shift in his expression, every nuance of his voice.
“If that’s the case, then why are you here?”
“It’s a party.”
“Yeah, but it’s my sister’s engagement party. I didn’t go to your engagement party.”
His eye twitches. “You weren’t invited to my engagement party.”
Oh, so they did have one. Fantastic. “You shouldn’t have been invited to Gina’s.”
“Our families are close, Harp. You can’t deny that. And Kenzie has always been like a second sister to Gina. She would have been crushed if Kenzie hadn’t shown up.”
I can’t help but laugh. Loudly. “If you only knew how untrue that statement is, you’d laugh too.”
Ford approaches and extends his hand. “You promised me a dance, remember?”
No, I don’t recall that promise, but I’m grateful for the chance to escape Asher.
Ford’s hands are surprisingly large as I take his outstretched palm and set my glass down on the bar.
He leads me toward the dance floor, and a mix of horror and intrigue bubbles within me at the thought of what might be hidden beneath the fly of his pants.
A flicker of excitement dances in my stomach.
Maybe I should consider some pity sex if he offers. It’s been over a year since I’ve been intimate with anyone.
As the song shifts to a slow ballad, Ford pulls me closer against his chest. I’m impressed by how well he moves, and I can’t deny the warmth of being enveloped in his strong embrace as we glide across the dance floor.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re keeping an eye out to save me when Asher shows up,” I tease.
His jaw twitches, a smile threatening to break free. “I might be.”
“Shouldn’t you have gotten Asher in the breakup?”
“What does that mean?” he laughs, locking his gaze with mine.
The intensity in his eyes nearly paralyzes me, but I push through it. “Typically, when a couple splits, there are sides. Best friends usually stick together.”
“Yeah? How’d that work out for you and Kenzie?”
“Touché,” I reply, chuckling.
The song plays on, and we remain locked in each other’s gaze. Our mouths nearly touch as we inch closer, almost kissing. Almost. Until Gina’s anxious laugh pulls me from the spell.
I turn to see her trying to negotiate her way out of a shot offered by her maid of honor. “Sorry, but I gotta save my sister,” I whisper, brushing a kiss against Ford’s cheek.
I walk over to Gina and Holly, doing my best to ignore the tingles lingering on my lips from Ford’s skin, and wrap an arm around Gina. “Hey! Oh, do you mind?”
“Do I mind?” Gina asks, puzzled.
I tilt my head toward the bar where Asher stands with Kenzie, both glowering. “I could really use a shot.”
I grab the shot glass from Holly before anyone can respond and toss it back, coughing as the burn from the tequila spreads through my chest. I remember why I avoid anything stronger than wine. Wine drunk is light and pleasant, while liquor drunk is harsh, leaving a sting.
“Asher just bragged about how great his life is with my best friend, the one he cheated on me with before ending our engagement.”
Holly’s jaw drops. “Poor girl. Do you need another?”
“Oh, no, I’m good,” I say, waving her off. “Guess that just means more for Gina and me.”
“On second thought, I could use another shot. Cheers.”
I clink my glass with Holly’s, and we toss them back together. The burn makes my eyes water while Holly does a little happy dance with hers.
“I’m so sorry, Harper. We all are. For what it’s worth, Kenzie’s just a discount version of you. Everyone knows it,” Holly says, heading over to her husband.
My head feels light as Gina wraps her arms around me. “I owe you big time.”
“Yeah, well, remember that when the pictures from the second half of the party come out blurry. Like my vision is right now.”