Page 121 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” Walt says. “You have to work at things. Even chess and pizza are crap if you don’ttry. You’re going to have to figure it out. You can’t just leave it up to chance.”

I sigh. Maybe I should have just gone back to Harrison’s.

“But,” Sam adds. “At least you have three other people to help you. In my experience, chess, vacations, books, movies, and pizza areallbetter when shared with people you care about. A great relationship and the problems that crop up are the same.”

Thatmakes sense. At least itsoundswise. Finally, something that’s a little helpful.

I push my chair back. “Okay, gentlemen, I think I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Let me know when you want to get pizza and tell me how smart I am,” Sam calls after me as I head up the boardwalk.

I just grin.

I probably shouldn’t be surprised to find that I really like Harrison’s grandfather.

CHAPTER 32

Ford

“So this means you’re staying?”I am staring at Ivy and Harrison, my heart thundering, telling myself not to overreact.

But they’ve just told me about her idea of turning the old building on the dunes into a wedding venue.

I love seeing them together. They have such a natural friendship. They get each other on a level they both need but don’t totally get from Liam or me. A full acceptance of their impulsive, fun natures. It’s amazing.

But I’ll admit that when I walked into the kitchen to find them huddled at the breakfast bar over a notepad, talking and laughing, clearly colluding on some plan, I had a moment of ‘oh shit, what are they getting us into?’.

The idea is amazing, though.

Especially if it means…

“Yes, it means I’m staying,” Ivy says, her eyes sparkling. “And I know it’s presumptuous. It doesn’t have to mean anything changes between us. I’ll find a place to live?—”

“No, the fuck you won’t,” Harrison interjects. “You’ll stay right here. If Ford thinks that’s too fast, he can move back to his place.”

Ivy gives him a dazzling smile, then turns back to me. “I promise I have no preconceived notions. This is something Harrison and I have come up with. You can be as involved, or not involved, as you want to be. But I do love this town. It feels like the fresh start that I need and I do want to stay. You and I can keep doing things just like we have been?—”

I’m across the floor, around the counter, and have her off her stool and wrapped in my arms before she even finishes her sentence. I bury my face in her hair and take a huge breath.

“I don’t want things to stay the same.” I hug her tightly and feel her arms come around my neck. “I love you, Ivy. I’m so fucking glad you want to stay.”

I hear a little sniff, and I set her on her feet, looking down at her. “Thank God,” she says softly. “I’m in love with you, Ford. I know it’s fast, and it’s crazy and we probably need to slow things down a little, but I want to stay and keep seeing you and...we’ll figure things out.”

I cup her face. “I’m thrilled with this.”

She looks relieved. “I’m so glad.”

I look from her to Harrison. “And Liam is staying too, then, right?”

Ivy’s smile dims slightly. “I haven’t told him yet. All of this just happened. If the building didn’t belong to Harrison, this would’ve been a slower process and I would’ve talked it over with him. But it’s gone so quickly.” She takes a breath. “Liam’s always beensosupportive of me and my career and anything I want to do. I know he’ll be happy for me, but—” She glances over at Harrison. “I don’t know what he’s going to say about staying, honestly. I know he’s loved our time here.”

“But his job is in L.A.,” I fill in. Liam’s job is huge. It’s not as if he can go into Charleston and start writing for a TV show there instead. And even if he could, it wouldn’t behisshow.

We hear the front door open and close.

“Looks like we’re about to find out,” Harrison says.

If I didn’t know my friend as well as I do I would’ve missed the fact that he looks nervous.

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