Page 202 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“That’s incredible,” I say. “Congratulations.”
But…why are they telling me this? Sure, it’s amazing, but I don’t see how this pertains to me in the slightest.
“We also want to help uplift small businesses,” Hudson says. “Which is where you come in.”
“Wh-what?” I ask.
Hudson smiles softly. “We admire your work ethic, Maggie. We admire your honesty and your integrity. We think you do beautiful work, and we know you want to open a storefront. If you’ll allow us, we want to help you with some of the capital to do that. Our lawyers can connect with you and get down to the specifics of the deal, but we won’t be taking anything from you, just endorsing you. Of course, we’d love to see your business partner with Haisley’s, but we very much believe in you and what you can accomplish regardless. Not to mention, the Cane-Hopper Cooperative will be hosting many charity events and we’ll need an event planner to help us out with those.”
“You’re…you’re serious?” I ask, feeling a tidal wave of emotions hit me all at once. “You want to invest in my business?”
“We do,” Hudson says.
“I…I can’t believe this.” I shake my head, stunned. This is not what I was expecting when I was coming into this meeting. I look up at them, my thoughts racing. “I thought…” Tears well in my eyes. “Oh my God, I thought I was going to have to say goodbye to my business. I didn’t want to tell Haisley anything about your dad’s demands—I wanted to protect her relationship with him—I knew I wasn’t going to be able to compete with him. I was truly trying to find a way to shut down without being heartbroken.” Tears start to streak down my cheeks, and I wipe them away. “You’re giving me a new life.” Everly places her hand on my shoulder, and I feel such solidarity in the action.God, she’s taking this well.
Hudson smiles. “We’re just investing in smart businesses. You are a smart investment.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,my God!” Everly shouts, making us all laugh. “We have so much to offer. The storefront, the pocket weddings, and my pet project—the new division of bridesmaid for hire and assist our brides. We need the help and we need the capital. Say yes!”
I chuckle at Everly’s insistency. “I mean, of course, yes. I would be honored. Thank you so much.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Hardy says.
“Wow,” I whisper, completely floored.
“You know…we offered to pick up another business,” Jude says. “One that we’re actually very passionate about, but we can’t seem to make the sell on it.”
“Who wouldn’t want to work with you?” I ask.
“I don’t think it’s about working with us. They gave over the idea, they just…they don’t seem to be interested in anything else…but you.”
I feel my skin prickle as my eyes lock with Jude’s.
“We spoke with Brody,” Hardy says. “He contacted Jude, asking to talk to him. He found out about what our dad did to you. We had no idea. We satat this very table with Brody, and he told us all about how he fucked up with the pocket wedding concept, and that he had no idea until his coworker told him. He begged us to not do it, claiming your ownership. Then he asked us for help, to try to convince our dad not to take advantage of you and Haisley.”
My mouth goes dry as my heart hammers so loudly in my chest that I can barely hear them.
“He did?” I gulp.
“He did,” Hudson says. “He’s the reason we’re here. He didn’t need to convince us of your talent, but he sure as hell helped us pull the trigger on making a smart move. And when we said we wanted to invest in his boutique idea, he just shook his head and saidno, focus on Maggie. She deserves the world. Make her dreams come true.”
Cue more tears.
“He loves you, Maggie,” Jude says, pulling my attention. All I see is a burly blur through my tears. “What he said at the bachelor party…that wasn’t him, that wasn’t the man you know and love. That was a scared version of a drunk man who was grasping on to anything to keep his job. And in the end, he lost it anyway. He’s been through the wringer, and the only thing he cares about…is you. He cares about your happiness, your success. To me, that’s a man you keep around.”
I swipe at my tears. “I miss him,” I whisper.
“Good,” Hardy replies. “He misses you, and I can’t freaking sit by and look at that man’s dejected face one more time. Christ. It was devastating.”
“It was,” Hudson adds. “This is your life, but I don’t think you’ll be happy until you make this right, Maggie—until you forgive him.”
“I haven’t even met him yet, and I know you need to forgive him,” Everly says. “Listen to these guys—they know what they’re talking about.”
Hardy points at Everly. “She’s a good assistant.”
Once again, Everly clutches her heart. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
