“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.”
Chapter 7
Ford
Watching Harper rush over to take a shot for Gina confirms my suspicions. The town’s whispers echo in my mind, but no one seems to notice, especially when Harper mentions Asher before snatching the shot glass from her sister. I can’t wrap my head around Gina hastily planning a wedding just because she’s pregnant. Lance and Gina have never been the conventional couple.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Asher barks, stomping toward me as I lean against the wall.
I’m in the perfect spot to watch Harper while staying out of the way. “Um, considering getting a drink from the bar.”
“No, what do you think you’re doing with Harper?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie, though I know exactly what he means.
I’m trying to make a move. Being with Harper has been my dream since I was fifteen.
“Harper’s not the type to give anyone pity sex. Trust me, she didn’t give it to me when we were together, even though she’s madly in love with me.”
I snort. “I think that says more about you than it does her, bud.”
“Best friends don’t try to hook up with exes.”
This makes me laugh. Now I understand why Harper was giggling with Asher at the bar before I whisked her away to the dance floor. He’s a funny guy.
“Why is that so funny?” His voice rises with his anger, drawing the attention of everyone nearby, especially Kenzie.
“I guess that kind of fits for Kenzie, huh? You weren’t actually Harper’s ex when she got you into bed, so you weren’t an ex at the time—just engaged to her best friend.”
“That has nothing to do with anything.”
“I won’t let you continue to humiliate Harper. You stole her money, her wedding venue, probably all her wedding plans too, because Kenzie wants so desperately to be your ex. You see that, right? You’re settling for a lesser version of what you tossed away.”
Kenzie walks up, wrapping her arm around Asher’s. “Don’t let him make a fool out of you, baby.”
“No, he has you for that, doesn’t he?”
“Don’t talk to her that way,” Asher growls.
