Page 109 of Butter My Biscuit

“Time to get this show started,” I whisper.

“We’ve got this,” he says as we make our way to the front.

While we wait to walk down the aisle, I can’t seem to take my eyes off Harrison in that navy suit. He brought it on purpose. Bastard.

When I pass him, I look forward to trying to calm my racing heart. I just don’t know why Stephanie would send him here. And then the realization hits me like a ton of bricks and nearly knocks the breath out of me.

I place my hand on my chest, then push it back because this ain’t the damn time and place to unravel.

This is goodbye. Forever.

No.

I swallow, licking my lips, and bring my focus toward my sister, who looks so damn beautiful in her dress that’s casual but elegant. She smiles at me, but when she sees Chip, her entire expression changes. It’s like he’s the light in her darkness, the sunshine that she wants to lie with for the rest of her life. The two of them are perfect for each other, and they love the same things. I can only hope to have that one day.

I’m lost in my thoughts as they read their own vows and exchange rings. Then, they seal them with a kiss. The tiki torches are lit, and the small group of people who joined us bursts into applause. And just like that, it’s over, and Harrison is by my side. But I feel numb.

“I’m so happy for you,” I tell Savannah, pulling her into a hug as Harrison walks away to grab a drink. “Thank you.” I turn to my new brother. “Treat her right.”

“You know I will,” he says kindly, and then he leans in. “So, you and Anthony?”

“No, it wasn’t like that.” I shake my head as Harrison returns, handing me some water.

“I’m so glad you came,” my sister tells him, pulling him into a hug.

“Do I need to threaten your husband?” he asks, smirking in his six-foot-three body that towers over Chip, who nervously laughs.

“I’m actually good.” Chip gives Harrison a firm handshake.

We take a few pictures, and then we’re moved to the tables on the beach, where a feast is being prepared for us.

Harrison and I sit at a table with several of Savannah’s surfer friends, who are also vegan. His hand rests on my thigh, and I can’t find the strength to push him away.

After we eat, I stand with my glass of champagne and the microphone in front of fifty faces, many of whom are strangers. I look at my dad and his wife, then my mom and stepdad, Harrison, Anthony. Then, I look at my sister and Chip. I know the faster I can get this out, the quicker I can slide out of the spotlight and disappear for a little while.

I tap the microphone to make sure it’s on. “Oh, look, it works.” I nervously laugh. “So, I wrote this really crappy speech about finding your one true love and how you know your partner is perfect for you. I went through all that stuff about lighting up a room and you can tell when two people are in love with one another.”

I look at Harrison. “But someone recently reminded me that love is messy. Even in the movies. And marriage is a pact, a promise that you’ll stay with that person through the messy, through the good, and the bad. If we’re lucky in life, we’ll find that person that we can be messy with together, who understands the raw version of you and loves you regardless of it. Loves you because of it. And for the rest of us, I guess we’ll be single.”

I lift my glass higher. All the singles in the room raise theirs too, but when I look at Harrison, he doesn’t move. His gaze is zeroed in on me andonly me. I clear my throat, pulling myself away from him.

“When I look at Savannah and Chip, I see two people who can’t survive without the other, and they’re proof that true love exists. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations, lovebirds. This is your happily ever after. Make it count because you only live once.”

Everyone applauds, and as I hand Anthony the microphone, he leans in. “Now, that was a speech.Movie magicshit.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Tough act to follow,” he says directly into the microphone, and as he starts his speech, I move across the room, not comprehending a word of it as my body buzzes.

I return to Harrison, and he keeps his gaze forward.

But I know there’s something he wants to say by the way his jaw is clenched tight. He excuses himself, and I watch him walk to the bar. Everyone he meets lights up with a smile, even the bartender who served me last night.

Mom takes Harrison’s seat and wraps her arm around me. “Oh, sweetie, why so blue?”

“I’m not blue, Mom. I’m bored,” I tell her. “I’m tired of love and seeing everyone so …happy.”

“That’s not the attitude of someone who wants to plan weddings, is it? Already jaded?”

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