Page 46 of Bridesmaid Undercover
Dear friend,
The flamingos still need your help. With every day that goes by the habitat of the Chilean Flamingo is destroyed. With your simple donation of $5 or more, you can help save the flamingos and their natural environment. Help us save these majestic birds and the fragile ecosystem they live in.
Donate Here.
Thank you for being a friend of the flamingos.
JP Cane
The doorto The Bean opens and my breath stills as I look up to see who it is.
Could it be her?
When a mother pushing a stroller comes into view, I bring my attention back to my iPad where I’m tapping away on an email.
God, I’m nervous.
Very nervous.
So nervous that I haven’t touched my mocha since I sat down.
I know comparison is the greatest thief of joy, but this is it: I’m going to meet the girl Hardy is lusting after.
Maple Baker seemed very charming in her email. Then again, it was just an email, so she could be a raging bitch who disguises herself well through the screen of a computer.
Or she could be the sweetest, kindest human I ever met, which would be why Hardy wants to try something again with her.
Not to mention, when I caught a glimpse of her at the zoo, I tried to not look too stunned, but oh my God, she was gorgeous. At least from what I could see. After all, there was a man without a nose next to me, covered in fake ketchup blood, which was incredibly distracting. This meeting will be more intimate, and I can tell the moment she says hello, jealousy is going to eclipse me. My dream of ever having anything with Hardy will be completely and utterly trashed. For some reason, a small part of me, a very small part of me, has hope that there’s still a chance.
Maybe it’s the emails that are giving me hope, or maybe it’s the fact that I think I deserve so much better than a Tomothy. Either way, I’m still hanging on to a shred of hope, and I don’t want that shred to be destroyed the minute she walks through the door.
The bell jingles with another visitor and my eyes shoot up, only for my heart to stutter in my chest as a beautiful blond walks through the door. Yup, that’s her. Decked out in a pair of leggings and a crewneck sweatshirt that saysSan Francisco Zoo, she is so beautiful. Clear, smooth skin, full lips, bright blue eyes with long dark lashes…she is everything I am not when I look in the mirror.
She glances around for a moment and then when her eyes land on me, she offers me a large smile. Nalgene water bottle in hand, she walks up to my table.
“Please tell me you’re Everly,” she says on a wince. “Or else I just smiled like a fool at a complete stranger.”
Ugh, she’s even personable.
I chuckle, standing up as I hold my hand out. “I’m Everly. It’s so nice to meet you, Maple.”
She takes my hand in hers and shakes it. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
We both take a seat. “Do you want me to grab you a drink?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “Coffee at this hour means I’ll never get to sleep, plus I’m headed to the gym after this. I, uh, I joined the one around the corner from my apartment, and it seems very intimidating.”
“Which one?” I ask.
“Bay City.”
“Oh, I know which one you’re talking about. I’ve been there a few times when I was meeting with a bride who was a personal trainer. It’s a wonderful gym, but I know why you might feel intimidated. Lots of weight equipment, lots of men claiming their areas.”
“Yes,” she says demurely. “That was my fear when I joined, but I also really like using the weightlifting machines, and it’s right around the corner from where I live, so hopefully I can make it work.”
“I’m sure you will. Just put your headphones on and get to work.”
She smiles, and it lights up her face beautifully. “That’s the plan. Plus, Polly thinks it’ll be a great way to meet someone.”
