Page 173 of Bridesmaid Undercover
Ember:The NAPE, Everly. He touched the nape. Share the Uber.
Everly:You’re right…the nape has spoken.
HARDY
We watch Everly disappearin the house, and the entire time, I can feel my heart beating faster because I think I broke through to her.
At least that’s what I’m hoping.
But I did the universal move: I held the nape of her neck.
That should indicate to her that I claim her.
That I want her.
That I want so much more than this friendship we’ve created.
And if the neck contact doesn’t prove that to her, then I don’t know what else to do.
Well…I know what I could do. I could tell her. I could kiss her. I could really throw it all out there. But without knowing exactly where she stands, it’s too risky. I don’t want to lose her, lose our friendship.
Maple grips my shoulder and turns me toward her, startling me out of my thoughts. Her eyes are crazed, and her grasp on me is strong. “Listen up, Hopper. I have worked my ass off this entire party to get you two together. Don’t make me be the only one putting in the work.”
“I’ve put in the work,” I say, offended that she thinks she’s the only one working on this.
“Sure, you have, but I’ve set up the scenarios in order for you to shine.” She’s right about that. Left to my own devices, I probably would have been too awkward to talk to Everly all night. “Now, this is your moment. Seize it. When you arrive at her apartment, you offer to walk her up to her place like a gentleman. And when you say goodbye, if you don’t kiss her, then…then you’re going to have to sing ‘Lady in Red’ at the wedding, and we both know how terrible you are at singing.” “Lady in Red,” where the hell did that come from? “So close thedeal, get the job done, and get yourself out of the friend zone. Understood?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “But what if she doesn’t want to kiss me?”
“She does.”
“How do you know that? I seriously can’t read her to save my life.”
“I think she’s nervous. Slightly oblivious. Make her aware in that car. Obviously don’t cross boundaries without permission, but a light graze here and there, hell, hold her hand on the way out to the street. Do anything to clue her in that all the freaking things we’ve said tonight, all our hints and all your touches were actually directed at her. Got it?”
I nod, feeling slightly pumped up. “I think so.”
“Don’t let me down, Hardy. I’m counting on this.”
“Can I ask why? Because it seems like you’re very into this coupling.”
“Because I know you. Weweredifferent people in college. Young kids, really. And as much as I was wary about coming back to San Francisco and seeing you again, tonight has been good for me. You’ve reminded me why we were such good friends.” She’s not wrong. I’ve also remembered the fun we used to have—the late-night hangs and inside jokes—especially when we spent time with Ken and Polly.
“We really did have some good times.”
She smiles. “We did, and now that I think we’ve crossed that bridge into friendship, I just want you to be happy. Everly is so wonderful, and I’d be sad if you didn’t get your shot with her. So, like I said, don’t let me down. Got it?”
I chuckle. “No pressure or anything. This is all for you.”
“I’m glad you see it that way.” She lets out a heavy breath. “I think I need another Jell-O shot.”
Still chuckling, I stand just as Everly returns. “I plugged an Uber request in my phone. They’ll be here in six minutes.”
“Okay,” I say and then look around the backyard. “Uh, I don’t see Polly and Ken, and I don’t think I want to go looking for them.”
“Probably smart,” Maple says. “I’ll let them know you guys said bye.”
“Thanks,” Everly says. “Okay, we should get outside. I don’t want the driver to ruin my perfect rating because we showed up late.”
