Page 110 of Bridesmaid Undercover
She laughs. “Love you.”
“Love you.”
This isthe problem with being someone who needs to be early to every occasion, not on time, but early, because now that I’m here, I’m waiting in the restaurant’s entryway for everyone, hoping and praying Timothy doesn’t show up first because I can already tell I’ll be awkward.
I need a good buffer. Hardy or Maple will do. Any kind of buffer.
Just someone.
I lean against the wall of the entryway, scanning the restaurant and taking in the atmosphere. It’s pretty chill here, fun, boisterous. Not pretentious, which is key. I think we’ll have a good time, especially since there’s a large bar in the middle of the space. I considered sitting at the bar while waiting, but didn’t want to look like I needed a drink to relax, even though a drink right about now would be ideal.
The door opens to the restaurant, and I glance over to spot Hardy walking through.
Thank God.
He’s wearing classic jeans and T-shirt—the way his shirt clings to his chest looks amazing, and his jeans are rolled up over his ankles just enough to show off his brown boots. He has the whole sexy lumberjack look down.
He looks to the right where I am yet his gaze skims over me, continuing to look around.
Did he not see me? It’s not that dark in here.
I lift off the wall. “Hardy.”
He turns to the right again and when his eyes land on me, his expression morphs into surprise. “Oh shit,” he says. “I didn’t recognize you, Everly.”
He walks up to me, places his hand on my waist, and leans in to press a kiss to my cheek. When he pulls away, his eyes fall to mine. “Hell, you look good, Professor.”
My cheeks flame from both the compliment and the feel of his lips on my cheek.Stop, Everly. He wants another woman. Stop enjoying his cheek kisses so much.They mean nothing. He gives them to everyone.
“Thank you,” I say as I catch him giving me another once-over, which only increases the temperature in my body. That’s the last thing I need right before Timothy gets here. No one likes a sweaty mess on a foursome date.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with your hair down,” he says as he tugs on a curl, his eyes still focused on me. “I like it.”
“It feels weird having it down,” I say.
“Well, it looks really good.”
When our eyes meet, he smiles sweetly, and fuck me, I wish this was just me and him. I wish this date was between us and only us. I wish he wasn’t interested in Maple but interested in me. I wish Timothy wasn’t even in the picture.
I wish he’d put his arm around my waist and guide me through the restaurant, sowewould spend the evening talking, laughing, and casually touching each other. Then, when the time was right, he’d lean in, lift my chin with two of his fingers, and kiss me, but this time, it would be on my lips.
Ugh, maybe Ember was right—maybe this was not a good idea.
“Oh, here they are,” Hardy says, nodding toward the entrance where Timothy opens the door for Maple. He leans in close. “Be cool, Plum.”
Sure…right, be cool.And just how am I meant to be cool when the man next to me smells so divine?
Maple walks up to us, her hands clasped together while Timothy follows closely behind. “Hey,” she says to the both of us.
Jealousy rips through me as Hardy leans in and places a kiss on her cheek in a greeting—this time not falling into her chest. And then he shakes Timothy’s hand. “Good seeing you, man.Surprised you want to have dinner with me given how I ruined your bowling league dreams.”
Timothy chuckles. “I blame myself for not reading the rules. I didn’t know we were going to be eliminated right away. I was talking to a friend about it, and he said they do that to weed out the people who aren’t serious.”
“They probably knew we weren’t serious the minute Hardy tossed a bowling ball in the ceiling,” I say.
Hardy gives me a look that makes me chuckle.
“Yeah, that didn’t cast the team in a good light. We made a lasting impression but not a good one,” Timothy says before turning to me. “Hey, Everly. You look nice.”
