“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.
Chapter 15
Harper
The last place I want to be is at Kenzie’s bridal shower, but I don’t have much of a choice. The community center’s fluorescent lights flicker above a sad collection of white plastic folding chairs arranged in a half-circle. Three wilted pink balloons droop from a crooked “Bride-to-Be” banner, and a single vase of grocery store carnations sits abandoned on a card table. At least the crowd is small—just six women clutching paper cups of what looks like watered-down punch.
Kenzie squeals as I step through the door, rushing toward me with arms outstretched, expecting a big hug. I manage to sidestep her, leaving poor Alex caught in an awkward embrace instead. Oops.
Dorothy approaches and wraps her arms around me. “It’s good to see you, Harper.”
The hug feels both awkward and familiar. “You too, Dorothy.”
I can see the anger simmering on Kenzie’s face, and I know the punches are about to land. No matter how much I brace myself, it’s uncomfortable.
“I thought I would have heard from you. You know it’s polite to RSVP,” Kenzie says, her smile stretched thin.
“If it’s that big of an inconvenience, I can leave,” I reply.
“No, I’m glad you’re here. It would just have been easier to know for sure in case we needed to change anything to prepare for your presence.”
Frowning, I scan the room. Three folding tables with chairs, a covered table holding three gifts, and one laden with food. “Prepare what?”
“You know what I mean—changing anything that might hurt your feelings.”
“Well, Gina’s wedding plans are still unfolding, so I couldn’t guarantee I’d attend. Besides, the invitation was a Facebook post yesterday, so I assumed formality wasn’t a strong requirement. When people expect RSVPs, they usually send actual invitations,” I say.
Her eye twitches, but she’s interrupted when Tracy asks, “How are Gina’s wedding plans going?”
“Oh, they’re going great! We’re just hoping not to forget anything in the rush. It’s all very exciting.”
