“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.”
