Page 24 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“I think so.”
“Then you definitely need to date someone else, because if you’re going to be helping him get back together with his ex, that leaves you in a tough spot.”
“Ugh, you’re right.” I stab a piece of beef. There’s no use thinking about someone else when they’re clearly thinking about another person. “Okay, sure, yeah, set me up with someone.”
“Ooo, yay. This is so exciting. Now…who should it be?”
“Just no creeps. Okay?”
“Promise.”
Chapter Four
HARDY
“So she didn’t think what I was looking for was weird?” Polly asks as we take a seat at the coffee house where we are meeting Everly.
“No,” I say. “Helping out brides and their bridal party is exactly what she does. They range from planning the entire wedding with Maggie, to helping with more intimate events like the bridal shower, to even smaller duties like assistance just on the day of with wrangling family members. They truly do it all at whatever capacity you want. And trust me when I say, she’s excited.”
“Okay, because when I spoke to Maple about it, she was nervous, apprehensive, and embarrassed.”
“Everly reassured me that this was normal. Not everyone is cut out to be a maid of honor. And that’s okay. That’s why they do what they do.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “Why are you being so nice about this?”
“What do you mean?” I ask. “I’m always nice.”
“You are, but you’re being helpful, and I don’t know how I feel about that. Ken’s not even here.” She studies me slowly, her eyes wandering. “You’re hiding something.”
“I’m not hiding anything,” I say as I try to remain calm and collected.
“Yes, you are. There’s a reason why you’re doing this.”
“Yes, that reason being that you’re my friend.”
She shakes her head. “No, that’s not it.” She pauses, wets her lips, and then her eyes widen. “Hardy Hopper, you’re not trying to get in my good graces so I grant you access to Maple when she gets into town, are you?”
It’s annoying how perceptive she is.
“No,” I scoff. “Because first of all, I should already be in your good graces. We’ve been friends for a long time. Second of all, you said she didn’t want me around, so I’m going to listen to you because I’m a good man like that.”
Now she crosses her arms. “I don’t believe a single word coming out of your mouth.”
I chuckle and then level with her. “Listen, I’m not going to approach her, okay? But I’m also not going to be a dick to her when we’re in the same room. But that said, I don’t want you thinking I’m making a move when I do talk to her when we first see each other. I think it’s fair for me to say a friendly hello, don’t you think?”
“I do,” she says. “But as long as it’s a friendly hello and nothing else…like…like you stick your head up her shirt and whisperhello, old friends.”
“When the fuck have I ever done that?”
She shrugs and chuckles. “I don’t know, it was the first thing that came to mind.”
“Christ, acquire a better image of me in your head.”
She places her hand on the table. “Listen, I just don’t need you scaring her away.”
“I wouldn’t do that. If anything, I’m just as happy that she’s back in town as you are.”
“Hey”—she points her finger at me—“none of that. There will be no happiness that she’s back, understood? You will remain neutral.”
