Page 17 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“You know it’s late here.”
“So then why are you up? Hmm?”
I can practically hear the smile in her voice. “None of your business.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Are you off to go flirt your way into someone’s pants?”
“We have a slight change of plans.”
“Ooh, did you already meet someone?”
Well, someone walked into my resort life, but there’s no need to worry my friend with that news because he’s going to be avoided at all costs. If I don’t speak him into existence, then he doesn’t exist here. That’s the clear logic I’m convincing myself to believe.
“No,” I say as I step down on the pedal on the golf cart. It takes off on a leap and a shriek falls past my lips.Ease into it, Maggie, ease into it.“I, uh…I heard some news while at the pool today and before I tell you that news, I want you to know that I spent all day thinking about it and what I should do, then I weighed the pros and cons of it all. So, I don’t want you believing I haven’t put good thought into the situation.”
She’s silent for a second and then says, “If you tell me you’re going to do some sort of work while you’re there, I’m going to disown you.”
“Hattie, just listen.”
“Oh my God, Maggie. You’re going to work, aren’t you? This vacation was supposed to help you relax. You’re not supposed to jump into helping someone with a wedding. That’s what it is, right? You overheard someone talking about their destination wedding, and you couldn’t just sit by and let it crash and burn when you know you can help.”
“Well, not exactly,” I say as I slowly steer the golf cart down the plank bridge, water on either side of me. “More like, I found out some news that could be beneficial to my business.”
“Unless it’s the king of the world, it’s not worth it.”
“Close to the king of the world,” I reply. “It’s Reginald Hopper. His daughter, Haisley, is getting married this weekend. And from what I heard, there’s an issue with the wedding party, and I figured since there’s an event today at the resort, the very resort I’m staying at, I would just, you know, wander over there and see if I could be of any assistance.”
“Maggie,” she sighs as I hear Hayes grumble next to her, “Let her live her life, babe.”
“Thank you, Hayes,” I shout.
“She’s working,” Hattie counters just as I hear the distinct sound of kissing.
“Hey, tell him to stop that,” I say. “If you’re awake, I get you for now. He can have you after.”
“Hold on, if I stay in bed, he won’t stop touching me, which will turn into a show for you. Give me a second.” I hear Hayes grumble again and then the sound of a door clicking shut. “Okay, I have maybe five minutes before he comes charging into the bathroom.”
“My envy is disgustingly high at the moment.”
“Sorry.” She chuckles. “Okay, so who is Mr. Hopper?”
“Uh, Hattie, Hopper as in Hopper Hotels, the largest chain in the country.”
“Oh shit, really? Hold on…you mean like Hopper of the Saint Hopper Resort where you’re staying?”
“Yes,” I say exasperated. “This is huge, okay? He owns so many freaking hotels and what do hotels like to host? Weddings. My business could be the go-to for any weddings hosted at the Hopper Hotels in San Francisco. This could be astronomical for me.” I pull up to the resort’s main building, which is surrounded by a jungle of tropical flowers, and park my golf cart in the parking spots—seriously, such a nice touch.
“Okay, I’ll let you get away with the possibility of talking to him tonight, but after that, you need to relax.”
“Oh, of course,” I say, even though in the back of my mind, I know if he asked, I’d drop everything to assist the Hopper family. It’s all about taking those shots and making moves when it comes to growing a business. I might fail miserably every once in a while, but I’ll never know what could have been if I don’t at least try.
“Good. So, where are you headed to now? By the way, the dress is somewhat slutty but also classy. Great cleavage but nothing like the swimsuit earlier.”
“Good to know,” I say as I start walking down the garden-lined pathtoward the dining area. “There’s a welcome reception that I’m headed to where I hope to run into Mr. Hopper.”
“Welcome reception for the resort or for the wedding guests?”
