Page 9 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“I said no, and what the bride says, goes. Understood?”
“Yes,” I grumble even though in the back of my mind I don’t agree with that one bit, but that’s a bridge I can cross later.
“Now…back to what you first said. What is this ‘bridesmaid for hire’ thing you were talking about?” She looks over my shoulder and adds, “And hurry up because my mom is eyeing me, and I know she wants me to go say hi and thank you to her friends, not actually enjoy myself with my friends.”
I chuckle. “Bridesmaid for Hire is a business we invested in. Maggie Mitchell owns Magical Moments by Maggie, and she’s an event planner. One of the branches of her business is offering bridesmaid services. For instance, Haisley’s best friend found out before her wedding that she couldn’t fly because she was pregnant, and Maggie filled in for her. They also help with planning, bachelorette parties, wedding day tasks, anything a bridesmaid might have to do, they’re there for it.”
Polly taps her chin. “So, I might be looking for someone to mentor Maple, possibly take over the responsibilities, or even guide her so she’s not so overwhelmed. Since you two are the only ones in the wedding party, holding the responsibilities on your own can be difficult. So, would they do that?”
“They would,” I say.
“Well, isn’t that perfect?” She walks up to me and pats me on the chest. “I’ll need an introduction because the wedding party consists of you and Maple, so this would be perfect to have help and take some of the stress off Maple’s shoulders. So, if you could orchestrate that intro, that would be great. Thank you, Hardy.” And then she takes off.
I glance behind me and then back at Ken whose eyes are fixed on her backside. “Why does it feel like she’s always controlled us?” I ask.
Ken sighs and smiles up at me. “I don’t know, but she’s had me by the balls since day one.”
“Ken,” she calls out. “Come here.”
“And she beckons…” Ken says.
“And you follow.”
“Always,” he replies and then shakes my hand. “Stick around, man, I want to catch up some more, but let me make the rounds first.”
“Not a problem,” I say and then he jogs up to Polly where he places his hand on her lower back and kisses her cheek.
She smiles brightly up at him, and everyone around them nearly melts from the suffocating love in the room.
Fuck me, I want that.
I want to put my hand on a lower back, as odd as that sounds.
I want to look down at my girl and see her eyes sparkle, knowing I’m her man.
I don’t want to be alone at a freaking engagement party, sipping on whiskey that’s cooled by a fancy piece of ice.
I want someone I can whisper to about the radishes in the vegetable crudités, which no one is going to eat because who really bites into a radish willingly?
No one.
I’ve finally shed the bitter weight of my father’s demanding pressure from my shoulders. I feel comfortable with where I am professionally, and I’m ready to take that success and dedicate myself to someone.
And not just anyone, but possibly the girl I was once in love with.
Maple Baker.
The only question is, how can I go about this without pissing off the bride?
And better yet, how can I possibly get close to Maple if her guard is already up?
There has to be a way. I just need to think of it.
Chapter Two
HARDY
“How was the engagement party?” Hudson asks as I take a seat at the conference table where he’s laid out a variety of baked goods, drinks, and an impressive fruit platter that is calling out to me.
