Page 152 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Really?” I ask. “I didn’t make it in the cup.”
“Yes, but you hit the cup. I assumed you were going to end up with the ball in your ear after the wholealakazooincident. See how you shot better without the flair?”
“Flair made it more interesting, but I can see your point. Also, I would like to point out that yellingalakazoocould be distracting to the other team, possibly crippling.”
“Unless magic is spouting from your finger when you sayalakazoo, I can’t fathom how it could be crippling.”
“Well, clearly you’ve never been attacked by the giggles.”
He leans over so I can see his eyes. “Do you have giggles that come out of your finger?”
I chuckle. “No. When drunk, if you find something funny, you can easily get lost in the laughs and that’s whatalakazoohas the potential to do. If Polly and Ken get attacked by the giggles, they won’t be able to toss the ball properly, which will result in you securing your precious win. So, you know, something to think about.” I shrug.
He stares at me for a few seconds and then moves back around me. “Let’s just focus on getting the ball in the cup for now, and then you can add flair if you need to later.”
“I think that’s a fair compromise.” I shake my arm out again and then lift it up to shoot. “So you want me to do an arch this time?”
“Yes,” he says. “See if that fits you better.”
“Okay, and launching in three, two?—”
“We don’t need a countdown,” he says.
“One,” I finish, shooting the ball over the open trunk door. It bounces off the back windshield and onto the ground, pinging around.
Hardy grabs the ball and then looks me in the eyes. “I think the arch is out.”
“Yeah, seems so.” I smirk, which causes him to smile.
“Let’s stick with the straight shot and see if you can get some in that way.”
“You got it, King,” I say as he hands me the ball with a raised brow. “That’s what you prefer I call you, right? You did claim the title earlier so I’m assuming that’s how you’d like me to refer to you.”
“Hardy is fine,” he says.
“What about Henrietta?” I ask. “Or are you over that?”
He looks down at the ground. “Yeah, I meant to talk to you about that.”
Uh-oh, back to the mood shift.
“Oh? What did you, uh…what did you want to talk about?” I ask.
He pulls on his neck and looks me in the eyes. “That’s all over and done with.”
“The nicknames?” I ask.
“No, I mean…yes, but no.”
“Okay, that’s confusing.”
“You can call me whatever you want, but the whole Maple thing…well, I’m relieving you of your duties.”
Oh…
So, I was right…and they’re going to date.Why is he here with me? Is this like a soft letdown? Did he see…or even worse, did Maple tell him that she suspected I like him?And I thought I’d embarrassed myself earlier. This is far worse. This time here is like a…pity party for Everly.Oh. God.
My stomach twists in knots as I attempt a smile. “Oh wow, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I say as I swallow down my emotions. “That’s awesome. Are you guys officially dating now?”
