Page 120 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Hardy?”
We both look straight ahead where Breaker Cane, the youngest of the Cane brothers, is standing outside of a souvenir shop, holding some bags in hand.
“Breaker,” Hardy says as he walks up to him. They shake hands, and then he turns to me. “You know, Everly, right?”
“Briefly met before walking into a meeting,” Breaker says. “How are you, Everly?”
“I’m great. How are you doing?”
“Good,” he says. “Out shopping with the wife. We were down at the wharf with JP and Kelsey for dinner. Then JP wanted to go sit on the pier with the pigeons—and I’m not dealing with that bullshit—so we decided to do some shopping. Found some new games to play while we’re in town for the week.”
“Where’s Lia?” Hardy asks.
Breaker nods toward the store. “Inside—apparently she found something she wants to get me as a gift, so she has sent me outside.”
“Ooo, I wonder what it could be,” I say.
“Probably a wooden puzzle game. There were a bunch in there. My guess is she’s going to learn how to play it first, then give it to me and show me how amazing she is at it.”
“That’s my kind of girl,” I say.
Breaker winks. “Mine too.” He looks up at Hardy. “So…what are you two doing?”
“Going to find San Francisco T-shirts. We realized neither of us has one, and now we’re here to right a wrong.” Hardy pats his stomach. “Also looking to walk off some cake.”
“What kind of cake?” Breaker asks.
“Uh, have you ever been to The Beard? They have a chocolate-on-chocolate cake covered in peanuts, and it’s fucking huge. We got that.”
“I feel like I’ve heard of it before, but I’ve never tried it,” Breaker says.
“Highly recommend,” Hardy replies.
“Good to know—maybe we’ll stop by tonight and grab one to go.”
“I think that might be one of the best ideas you’ve ever had,” Hardy says. “Well, we’re going to head down toward the wharf.”
“Careful,” Breaker says. “You might run into a sobbing JP, who is trying to be one with the pigeons. I already got a text from Kelsey, wishing we didn’t leave them alone. Now she has to try to drag JP away on her own.” Breaker shrugs. “I was not getting into it with him. Didn’t have the strength.”
“I knew he loved pigeons…and flamingos now, but I didn’t know he was into pigeons that much,” I say.
“Obsessed,” Breaker says. “I’ve never seen a sane man lose his mind over something so…stupid before. And sure, pigeons need love too, but to cry because they’re, in his words, ‘walking all cute with their heads bobbing,’ that’s just absurd.”
I chuckle because the thought of this billionaire, known for his savvy business briefings and unique ideas, crumbling at the sight of a pigeon is just too much for me.
“And then his newfound love for flamingos.” Breaker leans in. “Are you getting the emails too?”
Hardy slowly nods. “I’ve donated twice now. I feel obligated. Just got one for penguins. The picture of the penguin covered in oil…fuck, it got me.”
“You’ve donated twice?” Breaker shakes his head. “Dude, you can’t let him take over your life like that.”
“Are you talking about JP?” a beautiful woman asks as she comes up to Breaker and loops her arm through his.
The smile that breaks out across his face makes me feel so jealous because having someone in your life love you that much is what dreams are made of.
If only.
Breaker wraps his arm around who I’m going to assume is Lia and presses a kiss to her cheek. When he pulls away, he says, “We’re talking about JP.”
