It’s crushing to realize she doesn’t seem to miss me anymore. Hearing her say he doesn’t care about what I do stings more than I expected.
“I didn’t want to tell you this, but I’m pretty sure Harper’s been trying to sabotage our wedding.”
My head snaps to her. If she’s trying to sabotage the wedding, it means she still cares. And if she still cares, there’s still hope. “What do you mean?”
“The flower order was canceled, and we had to settle for replacement flowers instead of the beautiful ones I chose. The bridesmaid dresses were switched to pea green. The DJ was told our date changed, and all of our centerpieces are broken or missing pieces.”
“And you think Harper did this?”
This doesn’t sound like her. Even if she was furious with me, she wouldn’t go this far. She barely said a harsh word to me, even when I deserved it.
“I think she believes this will bring you back to her. If the wedding is a disaster, you’ll back out because it’ll make you think the marriage is a disaster too,” Kenzie says.
That logic makes no sense, but I can’t say that. “Maybe.”
“And look at the situation with Ford. She’s not sleeping with him because she has feelings for him. She’s doing it to get your attention.”
That idea resonates. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“And you’re falling for it. She’s using poor Ford because she knows he’s been in love with her forever. We used to laugh about it in high school. He’s basically a puppy dog around her.”
“He always has been, trailing behind just waiting for her to notice him.”
“She used that to ruin your friendship with Ford. He’s become a weapon for her to hurt you. What a bitch.”
I don’t like her calling Harper that, but I learned my lesson a couple of months ago when I said something similar. “I can’t believe she’s doing something so devious.”
“No wonder you left her for someone else.”
“No kidding,” I lie.
I kiss Kenzie, but it feels off. Maybe Harper is using Ford to feel better about herself, but sabotaging the wedding? If Kenzie could prove it, she would have already exposed Harper.
We head back inside to find Ford and Harper dancing to a slow song, completely lost in each other. I know I’ve truly lost her. But what did I expect? I’m marrying Kenzie in less than a week.
I made my bed, but that doesn’t mean I want to lie in it anymore.
Chapter 37
Harper
Ford and I have talked every day since Gina’s wedding. We decided to slow things down while we figure out what we’re doing, but I have to admit, being with him is remarkable. It’s intense and passionate, and I feel like I can trust him—he says what he means and means what he says. He doesn’t try to make me smaller. If anything, he encourages me to be my authentic self.
I’ve regained a confidence I haven’t felt in far too long, and it’s all thanks to him. Yet, I’m still overwhelmed by my feelings for him, and I haven’t quite figured out what this all means. After the holidays, I’ll be heading back to Pittsburgh, and we should discuss our next steps.
As I approach his storefront, I brace myself for the difficult conversation ahead when Kenzie suddenly jumps out at me. Iclearly need to stop thinking about Ford because that’s when Asher and Kenzie find me distracted enough to bombard me.
“You have to come to my rehearsal dinner tonight,” Kenzie insists, taking my hands in hers.
I stare at her, utterly confused. We haven’t spoken since the bachelorette party. “Excuse me?”
“It would mean so much to me. Plus, Asher’s grandma will be there. She mentioned how much she wants to see you, especially since you spend every Christmas Eve with them.”
Damn it. Guilt creeps in. His grandmother has always been so kind to me, but this feels strange. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate, Kenzie. The ex-fiancée showing up at the rehearsal dinner when I’m not attending the wedding seems odd.”
“You’re not?”
She cannot be serious. “I have other plans. It’s Christmas Eve.”
