Page 14 of Bridesmaid Undercover
To:Hardy Hopper
From: JP Cane
Subject: Help Save the Flamingos
Hardy,
JP Cane has set up a GoFundMe to help save the Chilean Flamingos in Peru. Please see the link below to offer your support. Don’t forget to like and share on your social media.
Personal note from JP Cane:
Due to the disturbance in the Chilean Flamingos’ natural habitat, thanks to egg-harvesting and human interference, these majestic creatures’ population is decreasing at a rapid rate, and we have the chance to turn that around. By donating today, you can help these spirited birds live a simple, beautiful life in their natural habitat. Thank you.
JP Cane
Chapter Three
EVERLY
“What did Jude say?” I ask as I take a seat across from Maggie, my boss, at The Bean, our daily meeting place since our new office has been under construction.
“He said ten more days. Then everything should be done, and we’ll be ready to move in.”
“Really?” I ask as I blow on my coffee before taking a sip. “That soon?”
“Yup. I was just as surprised. He said he’s been putting in some work himself, making sure all of the trim and touch-up painting is done to his standards.”
I shiver from the thought of Jude walking through the office space, his construction manager shaking in his boots as Jude examines every last inch of the place. “I bet those standards are impossibly high.”
“From the way he spoke, I’m assuming the same thing, but I’m glad we have him on our team.”
“Me too.” I set my mug down. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”
“Well, we have a meeting with the florist today for the McCormick wedding. Right after, we head to Pier Heaven to go over table arrangements for the Barton wedding, and this morning, we have a meeting with Hardy Hopper.” I feel my body go stiff from the mention of Hardy. “And then we have some meal plans to look over, playlists to plan, and we need to finalize those ad copies and brochures.”
“Busy day,” I say as I clear my throat. “Uh, what’s the meeting with Hardy Hopper?”
“He emailed me and says he has a client for us, wants to talk to us about it. A Bridesmaid for Hire client. Unfortunately, I have to take a phone call when he’s here, so I was hoping that you could head up the conversation with him. Since this is your branch of the business, I thought that it would be okay?”
“Oh yeah, sure, no problem,” I say as nerves trickle up the back of my neck. I wish I would have known sooner so I could feel more prepared.
I remember the first time I met him in person. It was after Maggie came home from the Hopper wedding. She was distraught and thought she was going to have to shut down her business thanks to Reginald Hopper and his menacing ways. But Hudson, Hardy, and Jude had other plans. They showed up to The Bean like knights in shining armor, ready to lift us up rather than tear us down.
They offered Maggie an opportunity—really, an investment, their investment—and she jumped on it. Not only was she able to keep her thriving business, but also now her dreams of owning a storefront are about to come true. The storefront is going to offer us more space, a place to hold meetings, storage and so much more.
So yeah, the Hopper men aren’t only easy on the eyes and brilliant businessmen, but they’re dream makers as well.
“Perfect. Thank you.” She marks something in her notebook, most likely checking off the task: Spoke to Everly about meeting with Hardy Hopper. I’ve given her some hints on organization and keeping track of all her tasks. She was pretty good, but since she hired me, she’s phenomenal. “Okay, well, he’s going to be here any minute, and I’m going to take my phone call in the booth over there if that’s all right with you. When we’re both done, we can head on over to the florist together?”
“That works,” I say.
She smiles. “Great. Thanks, and let me know how the conversation goes. This could be our first Bridesmaid for Hire client.” She crosses her fingers, and I hold mine up as well.
When she takes off toward the booth, I flip to a new sheet of paper and consider writing a header at the top: Hardy Hopper Meeting. But that seems a little much, especially since he would be able to see me take notes, which then makes me wonder, should I take notes at all?
Maybe not.
But…I always take notes.
