Page 135 of Butter My Biscuit

“Forever,” I say, slightly choking up, trying to laugh through my tears.

Harrison hugs me, smelling my hair before pulling away. “Night, Gracie.”

“Night, Harri,” I whisper.

“You’re still the only person I let call me that,” he says as he walks away, leaving me in the cold.

The door opens, then clicks shut. And it’s just me in the darkness and silence again.

I’ll learn to enjoy it. Or at least I’ll try.

30

HARRISON

I’m standing in the changing quarters on the second floor of the building Stephanie’s parents miraculously converted into an event space in two weeks.

Honestly, it’s beautiful inside with dark oak walls. I’ve already seen my parents, and my brothers left me to have a moment to myself before I line up.

I check the time, and in twenty-five minutes, I’ll be standing in front of a crowd, ready to sayI doto my high school sweetheart. Funny how it all works out sometimes.

All day, I’ve been reminding myself that I’ll be happy, that what Stephanie and I have is good. It can only get better, just like my parents.

There’s a knock on the door. I adjust my bow tie, making sure it’s straight.

“Come in,” I say over my shoulder.

When I turn around, I see Grace.

I swallow. “Hi.”

“Hi.” She smiles and then stops walking, drinking in every ounce of me. “Wow. You clean up really nice.”

“You do too,” I tell her as she crosses the room in a light-blue dress that clings to her perfect body.

The locket I gave her last night is around her neck. When I glance at it, she reaches up and touches it.

When she’s close, emotions stream between us.

It’s wedding day jitters, I remind myself.

She sucks in a deep breath. “I’ve thought about this moment for years of my life and what I’d say to you when this day came.”

“Gracie,” I whisper, and it feels as if I’m dying inside as she keeps her smile, but I also see the pain in her expression. The pain she’d never fucking admit even if I called her out on it. Stubborn to the core.

“No matter what happens, know that I will always, always care about you. And I’m so happy that you found the perfect bride. She’s … beautiful. And kind. And has always checked every one of your boxes. You’re going to have an amazing life together.” She laughs. “I was thinking that is how I’d start my speech for tonight. Did I nail it?”

I shake my head. “None of that messy love stuff that you pulled out at your sister’s wedding?”

She reaches forward and adjusts my bow tie. “Not this time. There. Now, you’re ready.” She brushes my shoulders, then looks into my eyes. “The real reason I came in here is because Colt told me you were in here, losing your shit, and I know I’m still the only one who can help cure that.”

Laughter escapes me. “Do I look like I’m losing my shit?”

She takes a step back and tilts her head, chewing on the corner of her bottom lip. “Yeah.”

“I’m gonna kick his ass after the ceremony, thank ya.”

“You weren’t supposed to get married before me.” Her words come out in a whisper.

---