Page 139 of Butter My Biscuit

She grins and holds out her hand as the officiant gives the opening lines. Stephanie and I turn to one another, face-to-face, and right over her shoulder, I catch a glimpse of Grace.

Our eyes lock for a brief second, and her lips turn up into a smile, and I ask myself if it’s really our goodbye. She swallows hard, and we hold a silent conversation. I force myself to look away. And I swallow, then bring my attention back to Stephanie and smile.

The pulse in her neck upticks, and she grabs my hand and pulls me behind the staging area and down the hallway. There is commotion in the audience.

“What’re you doing?” I ask her, searching her face as she pulls me with her, giving us space away from the hundreds of pairs of eyes that were watching us.

“Harrison, what areyoudoing?”

She slides the engagement ring off her finger and holds it in the air. I hold out my palm, and she places it in my hand and closes it.

“I’ve wanted all of my life for someone to look at me the same way you look at her.”

“Stephanie,” I whisper.

“I’m not letting you go through with this.” She holds up her hand, stopping me from saying anything. “I know you’ll keep your promises. And I know she will too. Do you want to waste your entire life playing house and pretending with me when there is more out there?”

The pastor comes to the back, where we’re talking. “Everything okay?”

“Yes.” Stephanie gives him a sweet smile. “We’ll be right out.”

When we’re alone again, she grabs my face and kisses me. “Consider today the luckiest day of your life and mine too. I’m in love with the idea of us, and it’s not enough. It won’t ever be. I really thought you were the one who got away, but I was wrong. I love you, but … I’m notinlove with you. And I know I’ll always be your second best. I told myself I could live with that, but I can’t. People like me desperately search for the love you already have.”

I can’t deny any of it, but I’m relieved. She sees it on my face, and she shakes her head.

“You’re too stubborn and loyal for your own good sometimes, Harrison Valentine.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I truly thought we’d find what we had again,” I tell her. “But thank you.”

“Now, don’t be stupid and fuck up your second chance.” She uses her stern lawyer voice, then sighs before pulling me into a tight hug.

I hold her until she pulls away, breaking the embrace.

“Let me do the talking, okay?”

I nod, knowing it’s the least I can do after this. Stephanie takes my hand, interlocks her fingers with mine, and leads us back.

I guess we’re about to give everyone in Valentine something to talk about.

But I give zero fucks.

31

GRACE

When Stephanie interrupts the ceremony and pulls Harrison to the back, I feel like I’m having a full-blown panic attack and I might pass out. I don’t know what’s going on, but everyone is growing uneasy.

I look at Beckett, and he smiles.

Kinsley nods with a grin.

Remi gives a thumbs-up.

Then, I realize hundreds of eyes are on me, and my cheeks are burning red.

This is a nightmare that I can’t wake up from. I swallow hard, hating how the seconds feel like hours and minutes feel like days.

The pastor excuses himself, and the wedding party stands awkwardly, waiting for something to happen.

---