Page 125 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“What if I promised not to bitch?” I ask.
“I know you—that promise would not hold.”
I push my hand through my hair. “You’re right.”
I might hate these meetings, but I do have an opinion, and I want to do this right. Maybe I can convince Hudson that instead of suits and stuffy meetings, we can opt for jeans and interviews while playing ping-pong. That way, everyone wins.
Hudson turns his chair. “So…Breaker said something interesting to me while you were in Almond Bay.”
“Oh?” I ask. “Was it about JP crying on the pier over pigeons?”
He shakes his head. “No, it was about you.”
“What about me? That I was charming and charismatic, and he wishes I was the one he was meeting with instead of you?”
Hudson’s expression flattens. “No, that’s not what he said.”
“Shame, I bet that’s what he was thinking while you droned on about numbers and figures.”
Ignoring me, Hudson continues, “Said he saw you by the wharf, with your girlfriend, Everly.”
“Oh shit.” I chuckle. “He thought Everly was my girlfriend?”
“He did.”
“Did you correct him?” I ask.
“I did, told him she was helping with a wedding you’re part of.”
“Okay, good.”
“Is, uh…is anything going on there?” he says, an interested look in his eyes.
“With Everly?” I ask and then shake my head. “No, man, she’s a good friend.” I scratch the side of my face. “More of a friend than I was expecting, actually. She’s been helping me find a way to get back together with Maple. We were actually on a foursome date the night Breaker ran into us. Everly was supposed to be with a guy named Timothy, but he checked out early. His loss, because Everly is pretty chill.” I considered telling Hudson he should go out with her, but I know he’d say no. Also…I think Hudson might be too uptight for Everly. She needs someone fun and exciting.
Not some stodgy stick-in-the-mud like my brother.
And not Timothy, now that I think of it. He said Everly looked “nice” that night.Nice.A comfortable pair of jeans is nice. Everly looked stunningly beautiful, not…nice.
Not to mention he barely spoke to her. Barely interacted with her. She asked him about his beloved rhinos and he literally said two words.Idiot. He’s a fool for not wanting to date Everly.She’s becoming one of my best friends. A person I email about random things. Someone I think about every day, wondering how she’s doing. She’s a real catch, and Timothy is an absolute moron for not recognizing that.
“How did Maple feel about you hanging out with Everly after?”
“She had a headache and left early. Not a great showing for me. I was actually talking to Everly about it, and she said I should just tell Maple how I feel and stop trying to beat around the bush with my feelings. So, that’s where I’m headed after this. I’m going to change quickly and then go to the zoo.”
“Does she know you’re coming?” he asks.
“She does.” I loosen my tie even more. “I’m actually pretty nervous about it.”
“You think she’s going to turn you down?”
“Not sure,” I say. “I’ve been getting mixed signals from her, and I’m unsure where she stands. We had a pretty short conversation about our past when we were at the bridal shower, and that made me think we might have a chance, but the foursome date was weird. She was quiet, Timothy was quiet, and they both left early. I don’t know. I don’t want to sit around and guess anymore. I want to just talk to her about it and see where she stands.”
“And where do you stand?” he asks. “Do you really think she’s the one?”The one…
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “But I would hate if I didn’t at least try. We had a good relationship in college.” Despite what Polly said, I’m sure I wouldn’t be feeling this…desperate to rekindle the relationship if it had just been surface-level. Maple wouldn’t have felt as if she’d meant nothing to me when we broke up if it hadn’t been great in the first place. She’s here. I’m here. And as Everly said, why not try? “Might as well give it a shot, since she’s back in San Francisco.” I nod. Yep, that’s what I want.
“And you want to be in a relationship?” Hudson asks, almost looking confused.
