Page 166 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“Stop it.” Sloane pushes Stacey again, this time harder. “But if you doask them something, do you think you could ask if they have any internships open? I know I’d be very grateful if they did.”
“Oh my gosh, they always could use the extra help. I can hook you up for sure. I know Hudson would need one more than Hardy at this point. But yes, the answer is yes. We’ll get you situated when I get back.”
“Thank you,” Sloane says and then sighs. “Sorry for getting off-topic. So…the wedding night, are you nervous?”
Ha.
Doubtful.
That’s probably tomorrow’s main event.
BRODY
“Why don’t you stand up for us, Brody?” Reginald says as he lounges in his chair with the type of grin only rich men can bestow upon you. The one that says,I’m about to make you dance like a monkey for me.
“Dad, what are you doing?” Hudson asks. One of my guardian angels. If it wasn’t for him and Hardy, I think my nose would be a permanent fixture in their dad’s ass at this point. But they’ve been keeping me grounded and I’m very grateful.
“I think it’s time we learn more about Brody.”
“Oh, you know enough about me.” I wave him off. “You know I sing like a cat in heat when I’m bitten by a branch, that I tend to lose my cookies when my crotch is brutalized, and that I feed potato salad to my best friend while singing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.’”
“He wasn’t there for the potato salad part,” Hudson says.
“Oh…right.” I shrug. “Either way. You get the idea. Oh…and my girlfriend is the most perfect human specimen to ever walk this planet and…” I chuckle. “She screamed my name when we were, you know…and woke you up.”
Reginald’s face falls flat.
I hold up my hands. “Not my intention to wake you up, sir. But I can’t help the way my lady friend reacts to the sweet loving my cock brings.” I gesture to my lap and then out to the crowd.
“Uh…maybe we should get you back to the bungalow,” Hardy says as he stands to help me out of my chair, but his dad snaps at him.
“Sit down, Hardy. He’s not going anywhere.”
“Hear that,” I say, pointing at Reginald. “Daddy Reggie said I’m not going anywhere. He likes me.”
“Daddy Reggie?” Reginald says with a raise of his brow.
“Ooops.” I cover my mouth and laugh. “Did I say Daddy Reggie? I meant Mr. Hopper Daddy Reggie. Sorry.”
“Fucking hell,” Hudson mumbles.
Reginald stares me down, flicks the ash off his cigar. “Brody, why don’t you tell us about your proposal?”
“Dad, now is not the time,” Hudson says.
“Isn’t that why he’s really here, though? He wasn’t invited to this wedding. His manager was, but he just so happened to take her place. Seems coincidental that it’s right before he has to present us with his proposal when we get back. Almost seems like he’s here to suck up.”
I slap my knee. “Nothing gets by you.” I stand up, adjust my collar, and address the table. I nod at Jude and Bowie. “Thank you for joining us tonight, gentlemen. And if I’ve missed the opportunity to say so, you are a very lucky man, Jude. Haisley is wonderful.” That makes him smile. “I had the great pleasure of interning with her when I started at Hopper Industries.” I tuck one hand in my pocket, feeling very confident, finally commanding the attention I’ve been looking for this whole trip. “And even though it was short-lived because I was able to help her live out her dreams of leaving the family business and striking out on her own, those were some of the best moments I had when I first started working for Hopper Industries. So, here’s to you, Jude…you and Maggie.” I pauseand think for a second. “Wait…no. Not Maggie. She’s mine. Here’s to you and Haisley.”
I tip back my glass of the original drink I never finished and don’t even feel the burn anymore. My throat is dead to me now. My tastebuds are fried.
I set my glass down and rub my hands together. “Now, to get to the proposal.” I move away from my chair and start pacing the length of our private room. “You must be thinking, ‘does Brody even have a living chance against Satan’s Hangnail?’” I hold my finger out. “The answer is yes. Because whileheridea is unoriginal”—I point to my chest—“this guy’s idea is top-tier.”
“Are you calling your coworker, Deanna, Satan’s Hangnail?” Reginald asks.
I slowly nod. “Yes, I am, and I have it on good authority that in fact, she’s wholeheartedly earned the name. But that’s neither here nor there. We’re here to talk about my boutique idea.” I pause, waiting for a round of applause, but when no one seems to think my announcement is applause-worthy, I decide to start the applause myself.
I even nudge Bowie, who starts to applaud, but Jude tamps him down.
