Page 140 of Butter My Biscuit

After a minute, he returns, and he seems relieved. “They’re coming, and then we’ll finish up. This happens sometimes. Nerves.”

Everyone in this room knows for a goddamn fact that itdoesn’t.

Nothing about this is normal.

Ten long minutes pass, and Harrison and Stephanie finally return. They’re holding hands, fingers interlocked, and they look happy as hell. A good sign, I think, slightly relaxing too. I slowly let out a breath, making sure not to lock my knees so I don’t fall down even though I feel like I might.

“Is my microphone on?” Stephanie asks since they’re both wearing wireless. It immediately clicks on. Feedback bounces against opposing walls, but she gives her million-dollar smile to the crowd.

I wait with bated breath for her to explain, and so does the crowd. When I look up, I see the sunlight leaking through. We planned the vows to happen at golden hour, and any more wasted time, and they’ll miss their opportunity for a picture-perfect kiss.

“First of all, we wanted to thank y’all for coming out to celebrate us.”

My attention goes back to her as people move in their seats and whispers begin, but she holds the attention of the room.

There’s no denying her charisma as she continues speaking. “Sometimes, we do things hastily and realize it’s the wrong decision.”

Her beautiful dress sparkles like a diamond in the fading sunlight, and the room glows golden.

She lifts her hand, and Harrison’s is still attached. Their eyes meet and soften. “And a wrong decision at the right time results in a wedding, like this one.”

There is a long, awkward pause, and my heart pounds in my ears.

“The truth is, we don’t belong together. And we’re sorry for wasting everyone’s time and figuring it out at the very last minute.”

Harrison laughs and smiles, showing that adorable little dimple that only comes out when he’s being genuine. And it’s more than obvious he doesn’t have two fucking cares in the world as the chatter grows louder.

Then, she turns and looks at everyone again. “It’s obvious there are two people in this room who are made for one another, and I’m just hoping this wakes them both up before it’s too late.”

My mouth falls open, and I drop the bouquet. It makes a loud crash on the floor. Harrison’s eyes meet mine, and my vision blurs. I’m too lost in my thoughts, and nothing is making sense as she continues on. My body is on fire.

“There might not be a wedding happening, but how about we all celebrate two people not making the biggest mistakes of their lives?”

People stand from their chairs, and when I see bodies rush toward me, I need to escape.

The pressure is too much, and the air is too thick, so I push my way through the crowd and take an emergency exit outside.

When I see the buildings are glowing bright, I close my eyes, trying to ground myself in the moment, trying to stop my racing heart. I might throw up as adrenaline rushes through me, but I push it back as the cool air kisses my skin.

I pick up my pace, and relief floods through me as I see my car. I climb inside, and then I drive into the sunset, needing to clear my mind as shock takes over.

32

HARRISON

As soon as Stephanie finishes a damn fine explanation, I expect everyone to burst into a round of applause and congratulate us for not being stupid. This is the part in those rom-coms that Grace adores where the clouds open up, the sun comes out, and the birds sing.

Instead, it’spure fucking chaosin the building, like someone pulled a fire alarm or something, but I don’t hear anything other than my name being called. Then, I realize how many people are rushing toward me and Stephanie. We’re barricaded in by bodies. Another reason we probably shouldn’t have invited five hundred people.

Kinsley rushes up to me and grabs my arm. “I get the first exclusive story, okay?”

“Are you serious right now?” I shake my head at her, trying to scan the room. “Have you seen Grace?”

“No, she rushed out,” she says.

Then, she turns around and immediately switches into big-sister mode. She’s ready to fight every single person in the room as she tells them to mind their damn business like she’s my bodyguard.

As I stand on one of the chairs, I think I see the back of her head, knowing I’ve always been able to find her in a crowd. Someone nearly knocks me over, and when I blink, she’s gone again. It’s like she vanished into thin air, nothing more than a figment of my imagination. It’s how the last week feels.

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