Page 125 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

“Always going to be like this,” she finishes for me.

I nod.

“I know,” she says with a sigh.

“Liam,” I say. “You don’t have to worry about Ivy and Harrison. Ivy gets him. She’s…”

“His goofy soulmate,” Liam says, sounding resigned. “I know.”

Yeah. She is.

“And Harrison,” I say, turning to my friend. “YouknowLiam isn’t going back for just a paycheck, so stop being a jackass. And,for the love of God, stop trying to throw money at everything. You don’t have to do that.”

“That’s what I fucking do!” Harrison exclaims. “All I have to offer any of you is money!”

“That’s not true!” Ivy protests.

“Come on, Harrison,” Liam says at the same time.

“Fine, orgasms and money,” Harrison says. “But I haveso much moneyand nothing to do with it. Iwantto throw money at the things they need. I want to make your lives easier. I want to have more time with you. I want to feel like I’mhelping you. Like I did by giving Ivy the building for her new business. Like I did when I bought her house.”

We all stop and stare at him. Then look at one another. Then back to him.

“Wait, you bought Ivy’s house? The one Brad left her?” I ask.

Harrison sighs. “Yes. I bought the house so we could just be done with it. So she didn’t have to worry, and we didn’t have to fuck around with showings and we could all just relax. And I…” He shoves a hand through his hair and leans back against the counter. “I planned to drag out the closing and everything so that they’d have to stay in town longer.”

I start shaking my head. “Harrison, youhaveto understand that you have more to offer than that. We loveyou. Not the stuff you have or can buy us. We don’t want to be in a relationship with you because of your money.”

“Easy for you to say,” he tells me.

“It’s easy formeto say too,” Liam tells him firmly.

“Really? Because you’re leaving,” Harrison says with a scowl, pushing off the counter. “And Ivy’s only in this relationship with me because I was a tag-along with you and Ford. And Ford’s stuck with me because our parents are friends.”

Ivy gasps. Liam groans. I want to roll my eyes, but don’t.

Harrison looks at Liam. “I hope L.A. is everything you want it to be.”

Liam shakes his head. “No, you don’t.”

Harrison nods. “You’re right. I hope it sucks.” Then he turns and stomps out of the room.

There’s alongmoment of silence. Then Ivy says, “Wow, and I thought reality TV people were dramatic.”

“Better get used to that,” I say. “Forever is a long time. And even though he’s going to grow up a little yet, drama is always going to be a part of Harrison.”

She looks a little sad when I look at her. I’m suddenly worried that our forever is actually slipping away.

But that can’t be. “Ivy—” I start.

“Liam—” Ivy starts at the same time.

“I have to get to the airport.” Liam glances down the hallway where Harrison disappeared. “I think I’m going to have you just send my stuff. There’s not much.”

Ivy nods.

He steps toward her. She steps toward him. He pulls her into his arms. She lets out a sob that tears at my heart.

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