Page 160 of Bridesmaid for Hire
I chuckle. “Then the one drink it is.” I hold it up to Margie, toasting her through the phone.
“Smart lady.”
Haisley makes drinks for the rest of the group and then we settle onthe lounge chairs near the lagoon. The twins share one, I share one with Haisley, and Margie is set up on her own so we’re in a little circle.
“These are good,” Sloane says, holding up her drink. “Maybe a little too good.”
“Keep it to one. Don’t be like me and think you can handle more,” Margie says.
“I’m not that heavy-handed,” Haisley protests. “And it’s not like we’re taste testing moonshine like the boys.”
“Wait, they’re taste testingmoonshine?” I ask, my mind immediately going to Brody and what could possibly happen in that wild scenario. With his luck, anything. Maybe he’s going to be the one with his underwear on his head by the end of the night.
I sure hope not.
“They are,” Haisley says. “My dad set it up. I told Jude just to sip it. I don’t need him hungover on our wedding day.”
“Hopefully they all just sip,” I say, my worry starting to crawl up the back of my neck.
“I think that’s the point,” Haisley says.
“Jude never really gets drunk,” Sloane says. “I know we’ve never seen him drunk.”
Stacey shakes her head. “Never.”
“Now us on the other hand…” Sloane winces.
Haisley chuckles. “But you had Jude there to take care of you.”
“It’s why he’s the best big brother ever,” Stacey says.
“He seems very protective,” I say.
Haisley nods. “It’s one of the things I love most about him. He’s loyal. Protective. Honest. Just a beautiful, well-rounded man.”
“He is,” Margie says. “I could not have chosen someone more perfect for you. Maggie, you should have seen those two at first. They acted like they weren’t falling fast and hard for each other, but everyone knew…we could see the looks they gave each other.”
“You guys met on your San Francisco project, right?” I ask.
Haisley nods and stares out at the water dreamily. “Yes. He was my contractor. At first, he was so intimidating. He’s a large man and scared even the toughest of guys around him, but the more time I spent with him, the more I realized just how gentle he was.”
I press my hand to my chest. “That’s so sweet. Did you ever think you’d end up marrying him?”
Haisley shakes her head. “No. I honestly wasn’t even sure he liked me. He was very guarded.”
“Oh, he liked you,” Sloane says. “He liked you a lot.”
Stacey nods. “He was so unlike himself after meeting you.” She nudges her sister. “Remember when he started doing his hair before going off to the job?”
Sloane laughs. “Oh my God, yes. We have a mirror in the house right next to the door, and he’d check himself out before he’d leave.”
“Really?” Haisley’s cheeks blush. “That’s so cute.”
“It was also ironic given he had to wear a hardhat on site,” Sloane adds, and I laugh.
“You guys all share a house?” I ask, not quite understanding the dynamics of Jude’s family.
Sloane nods. “Yes, but now it will just be me and Stacey in the house, since Jude is moving in with Haisley. But they’re welcome back anytime.”
