Page 131 of Butter My Biscuit

Remi nods and looks me in the eye. “That’s right. We’re magic, baby. Lovelovesus.”

“You’re manifesting a relationship.”

I’ve spent enough time with Kinsley to know this is what these woo queens do. Confidence like this just can’t be bought. It runs in their entire family. But she ignores that I said anything; all she does is smirk.

“This year has felt like a decade, hasn’t it?”

We move back to leaning against the room, staying out of everyone’s way, watching the room together. Her eyes dart to the door too. She must be waiting for someone. But who?

“It’s March.” She snickers.

The door swings open, and we both watch it with bated breath. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine enter, and I sigh. I’m waiting for Harrison, but so far he’s a no-show. Considering the importance of today, I can’t believe he chose to work. Beckett would’ve given him off, but it’s clear Harrisonwantedto be at the barn today. Knowing each other like the back of our hands goes both ways, and I can read him like a book too. The man might be my kryptonite, but I’m his too.

“I just didn’t have your brother getting married on my bingo card.”

“You know what they say. Things like this happen in threes. Beckett and Summer, Hayden and Kinsley … it was destined,” she tells me. “One more person gets engaged, and it’s going to chain-react to two more.”

As we’re standing off to the side, I zero in on Stephanie as she greets the Valentines. It’s hugs and smiles andhow do you dos. The familiar conversations that never change over the years.

She walks—no, she floats around the room in a baby-blue gown she picked out to wear for this occasion. The style gives off old-money vibes, and so does the way she curled her long blonde hair. A diamond belt is cinched around her tiny waist, and her heels change colors depending on how the light hits them.

And as I stand here, holding a fresh bouquet of wildflowers for her to practice with tonight, I realize this woman is everything I’m not. My polar opposite in every shape and form. I understand why Harrison is marrying her. She’sopposite of me, which means she won’t be a reminder, making me easier to forget. Maybe that’s why he chose her in the first place all those years ago …

But they do have a memorable love story. They’ll have their happily ever after in their perfect house with their perfect kids, living the perfect life.

I groan.

“Gracie,” Remi mutters, tapping my arm just a little harder to gain my attention.

“I was staring, wasn’t I?”

“Yes. And growling like a monster in those Why Choose audiobooks you listen to all the time.” She chuckles.

And I burst out into a fit of laughter. “Thank you. I needed that.”

She bumps her arm against mine. “Anytime.”

When I was always in my head, Harrison knew if he could make me laugh, I’d immediately pull out of it. And over the years, I’ve laughed after some fucked-up things because of him.

The thought makes me smile as I look up at the thick rolls of lace material that hang from the high ceiling. Makes me proud as fuck that I pulled off planning this event in record time.

The fact that her parents fully renovated this space just for the wedding blows my mind. The high ceiling and large area that’s half the size of a city block make it ideal for events.

The elegant ambiance and orange glow of the room set the perfect mood. Professionals were hired, but I found them to do it on short notice and played project manager. I worked for two weeks straight, nonstop, giving this wedding every ounce of attention I had to make sure it was everything Stephanie ever wanted.

For the first hour, we’ll go through the steps of walking down the aisle with everyone. Then, starting at eight, the engagement party for three hundred people in attendance begins.

Harrison would’ve wanted it intimate and low-key, but not Stephanie. And he told me to let her do whatever she wanted.

Remi taps her pocket and pulls outmyphone. “Oh yeah, you forgot this at home.”

“I’ve never done that once in my adult life,” I admit, grabbing it from her. “I’m losing it, aren’t I?”

“You’ve had a lot on your mind. Give yourself a break. I tried to read all your text messages, but couldn’t figure out your password.”

“I’m so glad youaren’tmy little sister.”

The door opens, and both our eyes dart to it. When I see it’s Cash, I glance over at her. While her expression doesn’t change, I notice she stops breathing completely.

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