“Beach?” I ask several times, and after I get a couple of odd looks from bougie couples and landscapers, I ask, “Playa?”
A guy trimming a hedge into the shape of a bird simply stares at me and points. I give him a salute and keep trucking. I know I look crazy, but I have to get there before theI dos.
As I sprint across the property, past tiki bars and multiple pools, I am suddenly grateful that I’m in shape. At 39, this would have been impossible if I hadn’t started doing CrossFit with Jaylen.
Speaking of Jaylen, he has no idea I’m here.
He has no idea his sister is here.
But if he knew who she was here with and what she’s about to do, he’d be thanking me for being here.
I break through the trees and come to a halt. Flowers of every color and fragrance imaginable, in the shape of a pathway, surround me. The sun is just as brilliant, all reds and pinks and purples, hanging low in the sky above the waterline.
And there, right at the water’s edge, is a makeshift altar covered in white flowers and three silhouettes.
The officiary.
Daniel.
And Harper.
I stalk down the aisle towards them, and I can hear the pastor talking. They are right in the middle of taking their vows. Harperis gazing into Daniel’s eyes with a dreamy and oh-so naïve smile, and Daniel is smirking down at her with dark eyes.
“If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever–”
“I object,” I say as I come to a stop.
The pastor looks bewildered.
Daniel’s attention whips over to me.
Harper’s jaw literally drops.
“Ash?” she blinks and drops her flowers on the ground.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Daniel demands.
I take another step forward. “Ruining your plans,” I say sternly.
He’s not going to say it, but he knows exactly what I’m talking about. His motive has been clear to everyone except Harper, who’s been wearing rose-colored glasses since the day they met.
“Asher. Asher, why are you here?” she asks. Then her expression shifts. “Wait. Did Jaylen send you? Oh, my God.”
“No,” I answer. “He didn’t send me.”
“Then you should leave,” Daniel threatens. His smirk is turning into a sneer now. But I really don’t give a fuck.
“If I leave, I’m taking something with me,” I say.
“And what’s that?” he asks.
A smug smile tugs at my lips before I bend down, pick Harper up, and throw her over my shoulder. “The bride.”
Daniel is shouting.
Harper is kicking and screaming.
But I just walk away wordlessly, stalking through the resort and back to my rental car, kidnapping the bride.
