Page 23 of Bridesmaid for Hire
Just blood.
“Aw, look at you, you’re stunned.” She pats my cheek. “Never had a girl swallow before?” See what I’m talking about? She just says what she wants. I’ve never met a woman like that before.
“For your information, I’ve had plenty of girls swallow…” I pause and take a deep breath, not what I should be fighting about. But for the record, girls love swallowing me. “We’re not talking about that.”
“What are we talking about again?” She taps her chin, which irritates me even more.
I lean in close to her ear and whisper, “Cut the shit, Maggie. What the hell are you doing here? Did you follow me?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, I have much better things to do than to follow my brother’s moronic best friend around the resort I’m vacationing in.”
I lean back to look her in her eyes. “Then what are you doing here, next to me?” When I see her start to make a snarky remark, I say, “Tell me the goddamn truth.”
She huffs and looks over her shoulder. When she decides the coast is clear, she says, “I saw that the Hoppers were going to be here for Haisley’s wedding. I overheard a guest talk about how there’s some issue with the wedding party, and, given my profession, I thought it would be beneficial for my business to at least sniff out the problem. Unfortunately, when I started sniffing, I smelled you.”
“And yet the smell wasn’t bad enough to prevent you from claiming me as your boyfriend.”
“To get into the dinner.” She rolls her eyes.
“Uh yeah, genius, but guess who is here all goddamn week? Me.” I point to my chest. “And unless you want to make a mockery of the both of us, you’re going to have to be sniffing me for the rest of your stay thanks to your brilliant move.”
She just shrugs. “So be it.”
“So be it?” I lift up a little. “That’s your response? So be it? What if Idon’t want you attached to me? I can walk up to Mr. Hopper and tell him the truth, that you’re some crazy lady, claiming to be my girlfriend just so you can have aninwith the family and help your business.”
“You wouldn’t,” she says, eyes narrowing.
“Maggie, I’d pretty much do anything to humiliate you.” I actually don’t think I believe that sentiment, but I’ve been thrown for a loop, tension is high, and words are flying out of my mouth.
Her lips twist to the side, and I can see that brain trying to think up a response. Finally, she says, “Then do it.”
Of course she’d challenge me.
And in any other situation where I don’t mind looking like a goddamn clown, it would be my absolute pleasure to mess with Maggie Mitchell, but there’s too much riding on this. I just got here, Hopper barely recognized me, I fumbled around and made a fool of myself, and now I have to scrape together a good impression, despite this new hiccup.
Before I can answer, I hear a sweet voice from the side say, “Brody McFadden, is that you?”
I look to my right and sure enough, Haisley Hopper is standing before me in a short white sundress, her hair pinned back in beach waves with white flowers cascading down it.
Haisley and I actually interned together at Hopper Industries. She and her brothers decided early on that they wanted to prove to the company that there was no nepotism within their family and worked their way through the ranks. They held different positions within the company and, even though Haisley ended up going in a different direction, she still got a taste of what it was like to work with Hopper Industries.
“Hey, Haisley,” I say, seeing Maggie straighten up next to me. “Congrats on the wedding.”
“Thank you.” With a confused smile, she leans in. “Did you hit top management and I didn’t hear about it? Daddy only invited a few people from the company. Thehigher-ups,as he likes to put it.”
I chuckle and stick my hand in my pocket. “Jaleesa Richards sent me on her behalf. Hope that’s okay.”
“Are you kidding me? I’d rather have you here than…well…I actually like Jaleesa. Let’s say I’d rather have you here than someone like Beatrice, who is lovely but doesn’t really bring the fun, if you know what I mean.” She winks.
“What are you talking about?” I ask. “Beatrice’s lectures about proper use of office supplies aren’t riveting for a wedding week?”
“Not so much.” She glances over at Maggie. “Goodness, I’m so sorry.” She holds her hand out. “I’m Haisley. Are you here with Brody?”
Maggie shakes Haisley’s hand and smiles broadly. “I am. I’m Brody’s girlfriend, Maggie.” There she goes again, solidifying the inevitable lie. “It’s very nice to meet you and congratulations. Such a beautiful location.”
“Girlfriend?” Haisley glances over at me. “I thought you told me you’d never commit to anyone. I believe your exact quote was, ‘I will die alone, and the only true love of my life is the Chicago Rebels.’”
I shift uncomfortably, because yeah, I said that and yeah, I meant it.
