Page 8 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Don’t even think about it,” Polly says, pointing her finger at me. “She is off limits.”
I raise a brow. “Why…is she with someone?”
Polly shakes her head. “No, but she is my maid of honor, and she’s already worried about taking on the role—she doesn’t need to worry about you sniffing around with those hearts in your eyes. Which, by the way, did you ask him?” Polly nudges Ken.
“Oh, right.” Ken meets my gaze. “Want to be my best man?”
“Oh, my God, that’s how you’re going to ask him?” Polly jabs Ken in the arm.
He chuckles and shrugs. “I’m not about to propose to him like you did to Maple. This is how guys do it.” He looks at me again. “So, will you?”
I laugh and nod. “Would be honored, man.” And I am honored, despite feeling like a third wheel in the love. We share a quick bro hug and then I glance at Polly and say, “So, where is Maple, if she’s your maid of honor?”
Polly’s eyes narrow. “I told you. Do not even go near her.”
“She was my girlfriend for three years, Polly. I can at least say hi to her.”
“Is that all you’re going to do?” Polly asks, folding her arms now.
“I might ask how she’s doing, as that would be the polite thing to do. Maybe see if she wants to grab some coffee and catch up.”
“No,” Polly replies. “No coffee.”
“You’re acting like I was the one who broke up with her,” I reply.
“I know how it went down,” Polly says. “I was there. And you and I both knowwhyshe broke up with you.”
I sigh and tilt my head to the side. “We were both going our separate ways. It would have been too hard.”
“Yes, but this was after you told her that you’d follow her.”
I push my hand through my hair. I’d just felt so untethered back then. I needed to start my career, to prove to my dad that I was capable. Family focused.Businessfocused. Leaving my family to follow Maple to a job in Denver just didn’t make sense. And strangely, my life has felt a little like that lately.Untethered.“It was complicated, Polly. You know that.”
Ken puts his arm around his fiancée. “It was, babe.”
She sighs. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just…She’s moving back here, finally, after ten years away. She’s nervous, she’s not accustomed to the city life anymore, and she’s starting a new job. I don’t want anything to scare her off and, unfortunately, I think you coming back in her life would do that.”
Now, it’s my turn to be surprised. “She’s moving back to San Francisco?”
Polly slowly nods. “She is, and she’s very wary. She lived in a hut in the wetlands of Peru for several years while studying animal patterns. Returning to San Francisco means she’ll be living in a big city with trolleys, and cars, and tourists. She’s nervous and scared and, now that I asked her to be my maid of honor, she’s overwhelmed. The last thing she wants is an ex coming back into her life.”
“She said that to you?”
“Yes,” Polly replies while crossing her arms.
Holy shit though. Maple’s going to be back in San Francisco. I was thinking about just reconnecting—I didn’t know she was going to be back here for good. That changes everything.
“But, maybe…maybe I’m supposed to come back into her life,” I say, hope lifting in my chest.
“Oh, Jesus,” Ken mutters.
“Shut up, man. I’m serious.” I let out a deep sigh. “Listen, I’m…I’m ready to start dating. To find someone to settle down with. I’ve realized that after watching Haisley and you guys. I’m missing something in my life, and I think that something is…well…asomeone. Maple and I were great together. Don’t you think we should give it another shot? I mean, you guys got back together after breaking up, so why can’t I have that with Maple?”
“He has a point,” Ken says.
Polly looks between the two of us and then points her finger at me. “No.”
“Come on, Polly,” I drag out.
