Page 223 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Oh my God,” Maple says, disgust in her voice. “What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t know.” I toss my hands up in the air. “That’s an amazing question because I honestly have no idea what’s wrongwith me. I have never in my life made this many mistakes consecutively. It’s like I’ve lost all ability to act like a normal human and have transformed into the epitome of a dumbass.”
“I’m not going to argue with that,” Polly says. “I thought you were going to make up with her yesterday, so you could spend the wedding together, dancing and having a good time.”
“Yeah, that would have been ideal, but seems like I don’t know how to fix my mistakes when it comes to her.” I shake my head. “It’s best if we just drop it.”
“But do you want to drop it?” Maple asks. “I thought you liked her.”
“More than like her,” I say softly.
“Oh. My. God,” Polly says, gripping my shoulder. “Do you love her, Hardy?”
“I mean…I’ve fallen for her pretty damn hard, and I think…I think that’s why I’ve been such an idiot.” I shoot Maple an apologetic look. “No offense, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way for another person before.”
Maple nods. “None taken. I know that it wasn’t that deep for us. I understand the stakes are higher here, and it makes sense. Our relationship was easy, simple, predictable. But with Everly, it goes so much deeper, and because of that more intense connection, you don’t know how to function without her in your life.”
“Exactly,” I say. “It’s like I’m panicking every time I see her, afraid that I’m going to mess up because I don’t want to lose her. I don’t want to lose what we have. But all that panic just hindered me, and I still ended up losing her.” I pick up my glass of water from the bar and stare down at it for a moment. “She really wants nothing to do with me. Trust me when I say, there’s no chance of rectifying this.”
“Are you sure?” Polly asks. “I feel like there has to be a bridge we can mend.”
I shake my head. “No, she was very clear last night. I hurt her, badly, and she wants to move on. She doesn’t want to give me another chance. So please don’t even try.” I look at both Maple and Polly. “Seriously, don’t try.”
Polly slouches against the bar, blowing out a heavy breath. “Well, this is stupid. Now I’m depressed.”
“Not something a groom wants to hear his bride say the night before their wedding,” Ken chimes in.
“Aren’t you depressed?” Polly asks. “Your best friend has lost his chance at an epic ending of a friends-to-lovers romance.”
Ken glances at me and then back at Polly. “A what?”
Polly groans. “Ugh, you’re irritating.” She then turns toward me, desperation on her face. “Are you sure it’s over? Like, absolutely positive?”
“Yes,” I say, looking her dead in the eyes. “It’s over. There’s nothing left to do other than let her be…”
And admitting that hurts possibly even more than losing her.
I’m never one to give up, but I know when I’m fighting a losing battle.
And this battle with Everly? It’s over.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
EVERLY
Hardy:I know you told me to leave you alone, but I wanted to send you a text to let you know I’m giving you space at the wedding. Don’t worry about having to dodge me. I want you to be comfortable and have fun, so I’ll keep my distance. Thank you for being there for Ken and Polly. I appreciate it.
I stare down at Hardy’s text as I sit in my car in front of the hotel where I’m meeting Polly, tears filling my eyes.
I turn my phone over and lean my head back against the headrest, taking deep breaths to calm myself.
You’re a professional, Everly.
You can do this.
You can get through this wedding without crying.
Without thinking about him.
