Chapter 14
Ford
If it means I can be around Harper every minute, I’d help her father dig a swimming pool in December with just a shovel. Each time she walks by, I catch a whiff of her perfume, and our eyes meet in fleeting glances. Those looks say she enjoyed the kisses as much as I did.
“Yeah, the doctor says I shouldn’t lift anything heavier than fifteen pounds for over two months, and I told him that wouldn’t do. I’m not an invalid,” Harold says.
“Don’t strain yourself. If you need something heavy moved, just give me a call. I’m always happy to help,” I reply, and I mean it. I’ve never felt more certain about anything.
He asks about my mom and stepfather, and we chat about Christmas plans. Our conversation has shifted beyond just tasks he needs completed, and I wonder if Harold spoke to Asher like this. He called me “son” and asked me to use his first name—something Harper said he never did with Asher.
Maybe I’m making inroads. I want to show Kenzie that I can fit seamlessly into her family, proving I’m the right choice for her. The best choice. No one could ever be better for her than me.
My phone rings, and Harold steps away to take the call. Asher’s name flashes on the screen, and I decline it.
“Why’d you ignore your best friend’s call?” Harper asks, startling me.
“Why are you sneaking up on me like that?” I respond, my heart racing—not from surprise, but because she’s so close.
How can she not see how I feel? How I’ve always felt?
“I wasn’t sneaking. You just weren’t paying attention. I guess my dad had your full focus.”
I smile at her. “He is an interesting man.”
“Not that interesting. Now, I answered your question. Your turn.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “I don’t know if you can really call Asher my best friend.”
“He calls you that.”
“And Kenzie calls you hers. Is she still your best friend?”
Her nose crinkles adorably as she shakes her head. “No. But what happened? I thought you were so close?”
I rest my elbow on the ladder and lean in closer. “Because of you.”
“Because of me?”
“Asher fumbled so badly that he ended up with Kenzie. If I didn’t think he was a poor excuse for a man based on how he treated you, I’d almost feel sorry for him. He’s with… Kenzie.”
She laughs, and I can’t help but smile back. Her laughter brings me more joy than almost anything else in life.
“But he’s calling because he wants me to help him get things ready for the wedding.”
“You ditched Asher to help my family with my sister’s wedding? Wow, you really are mad at him. But aren’t you worried you’ll lose your best man spot?”
Rolling my eyes, I smirk. “Trust me, there’s no threat there. No one else would take it. I was practically blackmailed into agreeing. Think of me like Alex and Tracy—we’re all forced to participate.”
Her face drains of color, and my stomach sinks. “I think they’re going to try to ruin the wedding.”
“Good,” I reply.
Harper shakes her head vigorously. “No, not good.”
“Anything that happens is karma, Harp. No one will bat an eye. They’ll laugh, but they won’t be upset,” I assure her.
“It’ll be bad for me. Everyone will know they’re doing it for me, and then everyone will hate me.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Baby, no one will blame you. In fact, I think even Dorothy would be relieved if the wedding fell through. From what I gather, she’s not exactly a fan of Kenzie.”
“Baby?”
Shit. “Sorry, reflex.”
“Reflex? To call random women baby?”
“Not random women. But back to what I was saying. Dorothy’s stuck with Kenzie, but everyone knows she wishes it was you,” I say, trying to steer her away from the comment.
Flirting like that was bolder than I intended, and I don’t want her to bolt because of it. I got a bit carried away, but I meant every word.
“I’m going to the bridal shower tomorrow.”
My jaw drops. “Why?”
“Because I’m the bigger person,” she says, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Or so they say.”
“Or the crazier person,” I add with a small laugh. “Don’t go, Harper. Don’t put yourself through that.”
She licks her lips, and the urge to kiss her surges within me. “I don’t have a reason not to. Kenzie made sure everyone knows she invited me. I have to show up.”
“Harper!”
With a smile, she walks away to chat with her brother, and I find myself watching her. The way she moves, her eyes sparkling around her family, how at ease she seems, far removed from the scrutinizing gaze of the town.
“Stop staring.”
“I’m not staring,” I retort, turning to glare at my brother.
Joel just shakes his head. “Dude, we all know you’ve been in love with your best friend’s girlfriend since high school.”
“First, he’s not my best friend. And she’s not Asher’s anymore,” I correct him.
“That’s true. So… when are you making your move?”
“When she’s ready,” I say, turning back to watch her as she struggles to untangle a ball of lights with her brother.
My brother sighs, his gaze lingering on her too. “Just make sure she sets the pace. She’s been hurt, and whether you want to admit it or not, you’ll have to earn her trust first. If you push too hard, you might scare her away, and you can’t risk this opportunity.”
“I can’t, huh?”
“No, you can’t. You won’t get another chance if you blow this.”
He’s right, but I can’t pinpoint the best approach. Should I confess my feelings, or let things unfold naturally?
I just want Harper Wallace. If there was ever a moment for a miracle, now would be the time to welcome it.