Page 56 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“He wasn’t listening,” Brody says. “Too busy sending silent murder threats in my direction.”
What the fuck have I ever done to this guy?
Everly holds her composure, but her green eyes flash. “I was asking if you thought this space would work for a bar. Have it set up right at the front—people can drop off gifts and then grab a drink.”
“Oh yeah, that works,” I say as I stuff my hands in my pockets. “Is that, uh, is that cool with you, Maple?”
Her eyes meet mine again, and it feels odd…having her look at me after all these years.
It feels odd, because there’s something missing between us.
There’s no spark.
No intrigue.
No lovesick eyes hoping and wishing for a rekindling.
And why is that?
Because of how things ended between us?
Or maybe because a great deal of time has passed, distance between us, which has dimmed the lights.
Either way, I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon. If Polly and Ken can make their relationship work, then why the hell can’t I make it work with Maple?
There’s no reason.
I’m just going to have to put in the time, and I have no problem doing that.
“Whatever is best. I really have no opinion,” Maple says.
“Well, I just want to make sure you like the setup,” I reply.
“I have no idea about space, so really no opinion.”
“Okay, but if you have an opinion, I want to hear it.”
She nods. “No opinion.”
“Are you sure, because?—”
“She has no opinion, man,” Brody says as he leans against a pole. “Christ.” I shoot another glare over to him and all he has to say for himself is a simple shrug. “What? She doesn’t.”
Everly steps in before I can shoot off on Brody. “No opinion is great for me—means I can work around the room. Let me make a note.” She jots something down on her notepad and then leads us toward the middle of the space. Maple’s sticking close to her as Brody and I hang back.
“You’re still not acting cool,” Brody whispers as Everly points out the bathrooms to Maple and says something about having a basket in the women’s room with toiletry supplies. “Your voice is all shaky and you’re rambling.”
“I don’t need a fucking review from you,” I say to him.
“Whoa, where’s all the hostility coming from?” Brody asks.
“Uh, you’re not helping the situation.”
“What situation is that?”
“Uh, not making me look like a fool.”
He winces. “Dude, there’s only so much we can do.Youneed to stop acting like a fool, that would be job number one.”
