Page 102 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Yeah, that makes sense,” I say. “Would you ever do it again?”
“In a heartbeat,” she says. “But from what I’ve heard, there haven’t been any research projects coming up for my field any time soon. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m going to have to adjust my mindset.”
“Are you okay with that?” I ask.
“I’m going to have to be.”
“Yes, right over there, that would be great,” Everly says as she moves into the courtyard. She glances over at us. “How are you guys doing? Good?”
“Good,” I answer.
“Perfect.” She winks and then takes off.
I watch her depart for maybe a few seconds longer than I should because Maple says, “So, anything going on there?”
“Anything going on where?” I ask her.
“With you and Everly?”
“What?” I ask, shocked. “No.”Uh, hello, can’t you see that I’m trying to rekindle something between you and me?
“Just seems like you’re close.”
“I mean, we’ve been working together, but that’s about it. She’s just a good friend.”
A friend who’s trying to help me get back together with you, Maple.
Jesus Christ.
“Okay, because Timothy was asking,” she says. “I think he likes her and was thinking about asking her out, but he was nervous.”
“Nervous about asking Everly out?” I say. “She’s chill—he shouldn’t be nervous at all.”
“I think the whole dating thing makes him nervous.”
“Oh, I can see that.” I think about it for a second and then the most brilliant idea comes to mind.Oh Hardy, you clever fucking man.I try to hold back my smile to avoid revealing how proud I am of myself. “What if we all went out as friends? Like a hang out?”
“What?” she asks, looking confused.
“Well, instead of Timothy and Everly going on a date alone, you and I could go with them too and offer them some cushioning so they don’t feel like they’re on a real date. We could pass it off as a hang out. Like when we were bowling, but this time, it’s just the four of us, and when they’re comfortable, the next date could be just them.”
“Oh.” She thinks about it for a second while she continues to put cookies in bags. “Maybe.”
“Would you be uncomfortable?” I ask, wanting to gauge where her head is at. “You know, since we used to date?”
Her eyes flash to mine. “I mean, not really.” She lets out a deep breath. “Maybe two weeks ago, I would have completely turned down the idea, because I didn’t want to see you, but yeah, maybe it could work.”
“Why didn’t you want to see me?” I ask. It’s such a heavy question, I doubt she’ll answer right before the bridal shower.
But to my surprise, she says, “Come on, Hardy. It wasn’t like things were completely amicable between us.”
“I thought they were,” I say as shame fills me, “but I could see that wasn’t the case after talking with Polly.”
She shrugs. “I just assumed things were going to be different when we left college. I was just…surprised by the way things turned out, that’s all. You said you’d follow me to Denver, then all of a sudden, you changed your mind, no real explanation given.”
“Yeah, I know.” I bite down on my lip. “It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with my dad.”
“I know you think that helps your case, but to me, it just seems like I wasn’t important enough.”
