Page 89 of Harper

“Awesome job, l’il bro. That’ll do it.”

“I’m not l’il. I’m big,” says Sawyer, frowning at Hunter, and yanking the mic back.

“Yep. You are, but—”

“Don’t silence my love, bro!” yells Sawyer into the mic, pointing a finger at Hunter and sloshing his beer onto the floor. “I love Tan, man.” He starts chuckling, then raises a fist in the air and pumps it. “Tanman, Tanman, Tanman!”

“Let’s hear it for Tanman!” Hunter says into the mic, before helping Sawyer off the platform.

Hunter gives me a look. It’s time for another Stewart sibling to step forward and say a few words, and I guess the honor falls to me.

“Everyone’s waiting for you,” whispers Parker, nudging me.

“Go on, Harper,” says Reeve. “Give a little toast!”

I stand up to the hoots and hollers of my sisters, brothers, and everyone else in the room, who clap and yell my name in encouragement. Stepping onto the little podium, I take the mic from its holder.

I’ve been coming to the Purple Parsnip since I was a baby, but I can’t ever remember a time that Bruce closed it for a private event as early as September, when there were still tourists in town. But I sure do appreciate that he made an exception for my brother and his fiancée.

“Hi, everyone,” I say.

I recognize every face in the place tonight…my family, of course, and all of our friends. But also, teachers from grade school through high school, coaches, business owners, lower-48 transplants, and seasonal workers. The Parsnip is full-to-bursting with well-wishers.

“The mayor’s here tonight,” I note, waving hello to Sam.

“Hey, Harper!” he shouts. “About time one of you Stewarts tied the knot!”

The crowd loves this, of course. It’s a cacophony in the room for a good ten seconds of whooping, clinking glasses, guffawing, and revelry.

While everyone else goes nuts, I grin at Sam, then track the faces of the people at his table, which is populated by civil servants: assembly members Ginny Roe and Hector Antonov, Avery Wells and… Shit.

Joe.

My breath catches.

My cheeks flush.

My heart stutters.

Sure, the whole town was invited, but I really didn’t think he’d show up tonight.

I haven’t seen Joe in person since I had to kick him out of my house, and honestly, the month-long break from each other has been good for me.

But maybe not for him.

His eyes are trained on mine, fierce and focused, but under them are deep, dark circles; because of Joe’s complexion, they’re easy to miss unless they’re bad…which they are. I lift my gaze to his eyes, which stare back at me, intense and inscrutable.

I blink at him and gulp softly, darting my glance to Tanner. Tanner, my brother. Tanner, who loves me.

“My brother is engaged, everyone!”

The crowd goes wild again and without meaning to, I look for Joe. He’s surrounded by revelers, but seems oblivious to them. He doesn’t slide his eyes away from mine.

Please don’t hate me anymore, I think. I can’t stand it.

But there’s no silent conversation between us as there would have been once upon a time—just his cool, steady stare…and my reaction to him, which is full of longing. I miss him. I miss him all the time.

I force myself to look away.

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