Page 52 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

“Yes. But?—

Ford throws his hand up. “I don’t need to hear the rest. Seriously. It’s fine. This was a crazy fucking week. You don’t have to explain yourself.”

“But—

“Stop. Seriously.”

Frustration creeps in that he won’t let me speak. So I just decide to let him do what he needs to do. He looksverydetermined to leave. “Okay. Thank you for your help, Ford. I appreciate it.”

He scoffs. “You’re welcome.”

He sounds hurt, which hurts me, I have to admit.

“You got an Uber?” Harrison asks, even as he starts shoving his clothes in his bag. “I guess they’re everywhere now. Even the middle of nowhere.”

“Are you leaving too?” Liam asks him, sounding as astonished as I feel.

“Uh, yes. I’m Ford’s wingman. He goes, I go. That’s the best friend code.” Harrison takes a bite of his burrito and shoves his feet into his sandals as he zips up his bag. “Good luck selling the house, Ivy.”

This is happening so fast, my head is spinning.

“Well, that’s just ridiculous,” Liam declares. “We can all have an actual conversation, you know. We are adults. Or at least three of us are.”

Harrison’s eyebrows shoot up. “So me, Ivy, and Ford?” Then he reaches over and kisses me on the cheek. “Don’t let William boss you around or pull his grumpy bullshit.”

I wait for Liam to try harder to stop them both, but he looks as astonished as I feel.

I just nod. “Thank you, Harrison. For everything.” Ford is already at the motel room door. “We can drive you guys to the airport if you want,” I tell them. At least that would give us time to talk.

“No, thanks.” Ford waves his phone. “Uber is already on its way.”

“Oh. Sure.” I bit my lip and watch them both step out as a car pulls up almost immediately.

Harrison gives us a wave. Ford climbs in the vehicle without a glance back.

A minute later, Liam and I are just standing there, staring at each other.

“I don’t know how I saw that going, but that wasn’t it,” I admit.

“Me either.” Liam frowns at the closed door.

“Are you okay?” I ask, worried that he might be feeling rejected by Harrison for the second time.

Liam smiles, but this time it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He glances at the car pulling out of the motel parking lot. But then he says, “Yes. I’m not surprised by Harrison, though I’m sorry that was so awkward with Ford.”

“Me too,” I murmur. “But he made it clear he doesn’t want to talk about it.”

“Well.” He glances around the room and heads for his bag. “Should we hit the road?”

“Yes. This room has bad vibes now.” I make an effort to just shake off feeling suddenly and summarily abandoned by Ford. That’s not fair. He didn’t even have to come on this road trip. I’m still a little disappointed though, which also isn’t fair. He saw me kissing Liam. “What a week.”

Liam actually chuckles. He sets his bag on the bed and comes over to me. He pulls me into his arms. “Best week of my life so far.”

That makes my heart full again, in spite of my convoluted feelings about Ford.

I snuggle into Liam’s chest, grateful for him, as always. Even more so now that we’ve admitted our love for each other. “It’s going to be even better tonight.”

“I guarantee it.”

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