Page 131 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

I chew my bottom lip as Ford emerges from the kitchen. “I’m going to pay them back then with the money from the house sale. I can’t just keep that money and have them going into retirement out that much cash.”

“It’s not your responsibility but that is definitely the honorable thing to do, Ivy,” Bill says, nodding in approval. “Good for you.”

Harrison is frowning.

“What?” I ask him.

“Well…that’s kind of like me paying the Richardsons back since I bought your house and I feel guilty I didn’t already think of that.”

It makes my heart twinge. Harrison is still caught up in thinking all he brings to the table is money. “We’ve had a lot going on. Obviously. You can’t think of everything.”

Harrison looks slightly sheepish. “Ishouldthink of everything.”

Everyone eyes him. “Is there something else you want to say?” I coax.

“You’re going to make me say it?”

“Yes.”

Harrison sighs as Ford emerges from the kitchen and moves in beside Harrison. He puts a bowl of bisque in front of me.

“I should have handled Liam needing to go back to work better. I was an asshole.”

It’s hard for him to admit that, and I appreciate it. I squeeze his hand.

“It wasn’t any of our finest moments,” Ford says. “But yes, you were an asshole.”

Harrison’s nose wrinkles, and he lifts his bourbon to his mouth. “I realize that now. I’m sorry. I really am. I just…”

“Love them,” Bill fills in the blanks.

“Yes. I love you, and I love Liam. I want you to stay here.”

I pick up my spoon. “We all need to work on our communication. This is new. But we can do this, right?” I ask, earnestly. I need to hear he’s committed to making this work.

He nods and puts his hand over mine, massaging my fingers. “Yes. One hundred percent. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ve already lost Liam. I can’t lose you too, Ivy.”

“Why do you think you’ve lost Liam?” Bill asks. “Didn’t he just go back for his job?”

“I don’t know. He went back to California really upset with me.”

There is a pit in my stomach. “And me. I shouldn’t have said there was nothing in California for me. I hurt him.”

“So just talk to him,” Bill says, like this is the most obvious thing in the world. “I’m sure y’all can work it out.”

“Dad, he never answered you when you texted him that we don’t have our phones. I think that’s a pretty clear message that he’s still not ready to talk.”

“That shouldn’t stop you,” Ford’s father says.

I look at Ford. In a way, this is what Ford originally wanted—me with him and not Liam.

Yes, he’s been sympathetic to my upset, but maybe he’s secretly happy it’s working out like this.

But to my delight, he’s nodding firmly. “Dad is right. This isn’t over until we’ve all talked through our relationship. Liambelongs with us and we need to try to make this work. For all of us.”

My heart squeezes. “Thank you,” I tell him. “I love you.”

Ford smiles. “I love you too.” Then he turns to Bill. “Text him again. Tell him we urgently need to talk to him.”

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