Scoffing, Kenzie crosses her arms under her chest. “It figures your sister would try to upstage me.”
“I don’t think you were even a factor,” I retort.
“What, is she pregnant?”
“Are you?”
“Wouldn’t that just eat you alive?”
The look on Kenzie’s face is one I’ve never seen before—blatant triumph. “No, it wouldn’t,” I reply, surprised by my own conviction.
They’ve taken so much from me, but the thought of Kenzie having Asher’s baby doesn’t stab at me like I expect. Now I’m confused.
“You can say that all you want, honey, but no one believes you. But we’ll pretend.”
The urge to break her nose is strong, even though I’ve never been in a physical fight. In fact, I’ve barely had any verbal altercations. I tend to shy away from confrontation.
“I’m gonna go,” I say, standing up.
Alex and Tracy both hug me before forming a human shield to block Kenzie from attempting the same gesture. The last thing anyone wants is a hug from their backstabbing former best friend.
“I’ll see you around, bestie!” Kenzie calls after me as I exit the opposite side of the gazebo.
The way she says that one word says it all. We will never be best friends again. There’s no reason to have Kenzie Marks in my life anymore.
Chapter 4
Ford
The moment I step into the coffee shop, I sense Harper’s presence. The low hum of conversation surrounds me, but it’s the prickling sensation at the nape of my neck that truly signals her nearness.
It’s always been this way, though, hasn’t it? I didn’t arrive in town until high school, and Harper is the only woman who has ever affected me like this. She’s the reason I became friends with Asher. He was my only way to stay close to her without being labeled a threat to their relationship. Still, I would have given anything to take her away from him.
I catch sight of her standing in line, waiting for her order, the space at the register clear. I nod at Tammy behind the counter when she asks if I want my usual, and I approach just as Betsy Johnson chimes in, “How are you holding up? It must be tough knowing your best friend is marrying Asher.”
And that’s Betsy Johnson, the town’s biggest busybody.
“Harper?” I call out a bit too loudly, pulling her into a hug while trying to ignore the electric thrill coursing through me at our touch. “It’s been ages. How have you been? I’ve been meaning to check in on you, see if your dad needs any help after his surgery.”
She looks up at me, her smile warm and grateful, the corners of her eyes crinkling in that way that always makes my heart stutter. A strand of blonde hair falls across her cheek as she tucks the rest behind her ear. “You know Dad,” she says, her voice carrying that familiar musical lilt. “If you offer to help, he’ll find something for you to do—probably involving that ancient tractor he refuses to replace.”
“Harper and Ford!”
I grab both our drinks and pass hers to her. She offers Betsy a polite smile, barely meeting her gaze as she says, “See you around, Betsy.”
We step outside, and she walks down the block to a nearby bench, sinking onto it with a heavy sigh. She closes her eyes and bursts into laughter. God, she’s stunning. Her long blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, bright blue eyes sparkling, high cheekbones framing her face, and those plump lips I’ve fantasized about kissing for years. She’s filled out beautifully since I last saw her. Her curves are evident beneath her jacket.
What I wouldn’t give to show her how much I cherish everything about her.
“Do I look smaller? I feel smaller. Every time I walk through this town, someone asks me about Asher and Kenzie like they have a right to know how I feel or what I think. Hearing their names feels like someone’s chopping me off at the ankles.”
“It’s a small town,” I reply, taking a sip from my cup. “Everyone’s business is everyone’s business. You know this better than I do.”
She opens her eyes and meets my gaze. “Thank you, Ford.”
“You looked like you were drowning, wanting to avoid another chop at the ankles. But honestly, you don’t seem any shorter. You’ve always been a bit taller than average, so maybe you’re just adjusting.”
She laughs, nudging me playfully. “I want to hide away, but I think that sends a message I don’t want to convey. I just want to feel normal in my hometown again. I’m tired of being the girl who got dumped for her best friend.”
