Page 168 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“That’s a pretty good idea, McFadden.”
“Yeah?” I ask. Huh, where the hell did I even come up with that? Feels familiar but I can’t seem to put my finger on it.
“Yeah.” He nods at Hudson. “Get Deanna on that idea and have her add it to her proposal.”
“Wait, what?” I ask.
“Dad, that was Brody’s idea.”
“And Brody can work on it under Deanna’s supervision. Now, enough business talk. McFadden got what he came for, his personal time with us and, now that it’s over, he can excuse himself. I’d like to spend the rest of the night with my family.” He shoos me away with his fingers.
“Wait, so you’re not accepting my proposal?”
Reginald sighs and tilts his head to the side. “McFadden, I was never going to accept your proposal. The moment I saw you here, I knew you were a sham. You weren’t here for Haisley or for Jude. You were here for your own benefit. Now that you got what you wanted, you’re being asked to leave.” Reginald snaps his fingers, and two hotel staff are at my side in seconds. “Don’t bother coming to the wedding tomorrow. You’ve been uninvited.”
“Dad, is that necessary?” Hardy asks. “Maggie’s part of the wedding. She’s been a huge help to Haisley.”
“Which is the only benefit McFadden has provided us since he’s been here.”
I’m about to argue that I’ve at least provided some entertainment when Jude stands from the table, his shoulders looking tense, and his expression stony. “Brody, don’t worry about leaving. Bowie and I aregoing to head out. This is my wedding and I appreciate you, Reginald, but this is not how I want a guest to be treated, nor is it a way any human being should be treated. There’s a reason Haisley wanted to leave the family business, andthisis one of them.” He motions between us. “This behavior. Just because you have money, that doesn’t mean you have the right to treat people as though they’re beneath you. And I’m sorry if you don’t agree with that, but I will not stand by and watch you disrespect a perfectly good human who has done nothing but be kind to my future wife and myself.”
Reginald stands, face reddening. “The only reason he’s here is because he’s trying to use your wedding to gain leverage in my business.”
Guilty.
“Maybe so,” Jude says. “But not once has he talked about business and, if it wasn’t for you getting him drunk and forcing him to make a speech, he wouldn’t have talked about it either. So this is on you, Reginald.” Jude moves away from the table and toward me, taking me by the arm. “I’ll get you back to your bungalow.”
“We can do that,” Hudson says as he and Hardy stand. “You go enjoy the rest of your night with Bowie.”
“And we’re sorry,” Hardy says. “This never should have happened.”
“Yeah…sorry,” I say as I sway to the side, Hardy catching me before I tumble to the ground.
“So, you’re all just going to leave?” Reginald says, standing as well. “You’re acting like I’m the villain here. I did nothing wrong. He’s the one who overstepped.” He gestures toward me. “He’s the one who infiltrated our family. And I’ve put up with it. I’ve smiled. I’ve known the reason he’s here but I haven’t said anything because of Maggie. Because we needed Maggie. And now that I’m exposing him, you’re on his side?”
“We’re not on his side, Dad,” Hudson says. “But you don’t need to treat him with such disrespect.”
“The only disrespect in this room is the way you’re all treating me,” he says right before he tosses his cigar in one of the shot glasses, setting the cup on fire with awhoosh. With that, he storms out.
Okay, I know I should be scared as shit right now, but wow, what a fucking exit.
Apologies are tossed around again, but everything around me is starting to turn black.Moonshine, you are NOT my friend.
“Happy wedding time, Jude.”
And then I’m out.
MAGGIE
Knock. Knock.
I’m on the bed, wearing a very frisky lingerie set, one of my most provocative, completely ready for a night of passion. “Come in,” I say in a cute, but seductive way.
I’ve been thinking about what Brody and I can do tonight, was hoping that he’ll be game to play around with one of my vibrators again. One can only hope.
“Uh…Maggie, it’s Hudson and Hardy,” I hear on the other side of the door.
“Oh.” I leap off the bed and immediately grab one of the complimentary robes from the closet. I wrap it around me and cinch the tie before opening the door.
