Page 19 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“Flattered, but…no.”
“Yeah, I told him you were dating someone of much better status. I proceeded to gush about Hayes and that pretty much ended the conversation. But…I can’t believe I forgot about it.”
“So that means he’s there for the wedding, which means…he could be your in.”
Ew, no thank you.
I’d rather pretend to be Reginald’s long-lost cousin and face massive ridicule and rejection than ask Brody for help.
Do you know why?
Because Brody isn’t the guy who lends out favors without something attached to it, like constantly reminding how he did me a solid. I don’t need that.
“No, thank you,” I say. “There’s no way I’m asking him for help.”
“Why not? It would be so easy. He gets you into the wedding and the party, you make a great impression, maybe help with whatever planning problem is happening, thenbam, you’re partnered up with Hopper Industries.”
“I don’t think it works like that.”
“Not with that kind of negative thinking,” she says. “Tell me what other options you have, because themy name was supposed to be on the listoption is an instant fail.”
I think about, trying to figure out a way to get on the inside, but unfortunately nothing comes to mind, which means…she might be right.
But it doesn’t make it any less nauseating to think about. Brody would be the easy in. He’d be a safe bet. He’d say yes because I’m Gary’s sister and sure, he’d never let me live it down, but he’d let me do it.
Then again, we don’t get along. That may be a hindrance. We bicker, fight, and insult each other whenever we get a chance. Would he be able to hold back his barbs in front of the Hoppers? I would hope so, the man is a professional after all. But any time he’s hanging out with my brother, and I happen to show up, he’s a dick to me, I’m an ass right back, we clash, and then ruin whatever party Patricia was kind enough to put together. Seems too risky.
“He could be an in,” I say. “But given our history, I doubt he’d be eager to let me into this wedding week. He doesn’t like me, remember? Finds me repulsive.”
“Ifind him repulsive.”
“Thank you,” I say on a sigh. “Shit, this is not what I wanted to happen.”
“Are you done, baby?” I hear Hayes say. “I’m fucking hard and need your mouth.”
“Jesus,” I say as I feel my nipples perk up. That voice of his, I’m telling you. Unlike anything I’ve ever heard.
“Give me one second,” Hattie says right before I hear another kiss. I wonder where that kiss was placed. “Sorry, I have to go, but know this, I don’t want you working, not on your well-earned vacation, but if an opportunity arises to help you grow your business, you don’t have any other choice but to take it, don’t you think?”
“Are you saying that I need to use Brody McFadden to my advantage?”
“I am. You use him so hard that he’ll regret ever making out with you at your brother’s wedding and then taking off as if nothing ever happened.”
I peek around the pole again and deep down…I know she’s right.
If I want to get ahead, I need to make moves.
Any man in business would do the same thing.
Maybe it’s karma from walking away unsatisfied.
So, it’s time to blast Taylor Swift’s “The Man” in my head and do what I need to do…use Brody McFadden formybenefit.
CHAPTER FOUR
BRODY
I STARE DOWN AT THEITINERARYthat Jaleesa sent me and confirm that I’m in the right place at the right time.
