Page 201 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“Yes,” I say, even though my nerves are starting to spike.
She must see the panic in my eyes though, because she says, “I can actually give you space if you need it.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine.” I then look around to the boys. “Um, does this have to do with the wedding? Because if so, I don’t think I told Everlyeverything, and I just…if this is going to be embarrassing for me, I’d like to spare her.”
Hudson shakes his head. “This will be anything but embarrassing, and I’m sorry to bombard you like this. I’m sure your mind must be spinning. To ease any anxiety, we’re not here for anything bad. We’re actually here to apologize.”
“Apologize?” I ask, confused. “What do you need to apologize for?”
“I think we need to start with the bachelor party,” Jude says.
Hudson nods and glances over at Hardy. Hardy places his hand on the table and looks me in the eyes. “Our father got Brody drunk the night of the bachelor party, then forced him to propose his idea for the company. It was wrong place, wrong time, and completely inappropriate. Brody was not in a good head space—he was pressured, and he said something that he told us he wasn’t supposed to say.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “He told us about one of your concepts, the pocket wedding.”
“He did?” Everly says, looking shocked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Still processing,” I squeak out, because the mere mention of Brody’s name has my emotions rearing up.Do not cry, Maggie. Not now. Not here.
Hudson steps in and says, “Our father took that idea and pawned it off to Brody’s competitor, Deanna, who is planning on opening a wedding branch for Hopper Industries, something I know you’re aware of.Well, we wanted to apologize for taking intellectual property that wasn’t rightfully ours. We’ve spoken with our father, and it’s been struck from Deanna’s proposal.”
“Oh…really?” I ask. A huge bubble, which has been sitting on my chest, bursts, relieving me of the anxiety and anger brewing over my idea being stolen by a billion-dollar company.
“Yes, that concept is rightfully yours,” Hardy says.
“Well, thank you. I appreciate it.” I smile, feeling semi-relieved. Doesn’t solve the other problem I have though.
“Next,” Jude says, startling me with his deep voice. “We were made aware of a situation that Reginald presented to you at the reception.”
Oh God…how did they find out?
“Uh…what situation?” I ask, wanting to play it cool.
“Reginald asking you to convince Haisley to bring her business under the Hopper Industries umbrella,” Jude replies.
Okay, so yeah, they know.
“I want you to know, I wasn’t going to do that to her. I would never do that. I know how important it is for her to make her own name, so please don’t think for a second that—”
“We didn’t,” Jude says.
“We want to apologize for our father’s behavior,” Hardy says. “We want you to know that we don’t agree with what he asked you to do, nor do we agree with his threats.”
“In fact, we’ve recently had a conversation and have told him we’re parting ways,” Hudson says.
“Wait…what?” I ask as Everly’s mouth falls open.
“We’ve started a new venture,” Hudson says. “It’s called the Cane-Hopper Cooperative.”
“Cane-Hopper as in…you and the Cane brothers?”
Hudson nods. “Precisely. Jude here is also a partner.”
“But not a heavy lifter like the others,” Jude says.
“And we’ve taken a different approach to business. We value smart ideas, hard workers, and projects that help the community. We’ve brought the almond side of Hopper Industries under our umbrella and are focusing on sustainable farming and agriculture while also supporting the farmers around us—a cooperative effort, if you will. Haisley is bringing her side of the business into the cooperative as well, providing her themed vacation rentals, while also developing properties for families that are in need. Like families that might have a loved one in the hospital, and they require a long-term stay without breaking the bank.”
“Wow,” I say. “That’s…that’s amazing.”
“As for the Cane brothers, they’re already working on low-income housing here in the city but the process is overwhelming, which is where Jude comes in. He’ll be overseeing all construction.”
