Page 160 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Hey, was just over at the bar and thought I’d bring you guys some more drinks.” She drops off two Moscow mules. Then she sets down four Jell-O shots in front of us as well.
“What are those for?” I ask, seeing right through her tactics.
“From Ken and Polly. They expect you to keep up.” Maple winks and then takes off.
Now, these could be from Ken and Polly.
Or…these could be from Maple, who is trying to play matchmaker, to loosen things up between me and Everly. And talk about loose: This is a side of Maple not many people get to see. Drunk Maple. Not so reserved, doesn’t hold back, just goes for it.
I glance down at the Jell-O shots and back up at Everly. “Ever do one of those?”
“A Jell-O shot?” she asks. “My God, Hardy, I’m young, but not that young.”
“I don’t know.” I chuckle. “Just asking. Are you going to do one?”
“Probably not. I should be working this event.”
And as if she’s listening in on the conversation somehow, Maple reappears as if by magic. “Polly said you are relieved from your duties and you are to now celebrate with us.”
Everly startles, clutching her chest. “Oh, Maple. I didn’t see you there.”
She chuckles. “Just forgot to mention that, so…” She wiggles her finger at the Jell-O shots. “Catch up.” Then she’s off again. Not that I’m surprised at all, but Maple walks right up to Polly, high-fiving her and indicating that Polly is now in on this as well. Maple probably told her what was going on, and now they’ve made it their mission to get me and Everly together.
God, they’re going to make this so obvious. I just hope that Everly remains naïve to the situation.
“Looks like you don’t have a choice,” I say.
“Seems like it.” She glances over at Maple and Polly. “This is weird for me because I really don’t take part in the party. I monitor. I don’t enjoy.”
“Well, you should know at this point that when it comes to Polly and Maple, if they want you to enjoy their drinks, they won’t accept anything less.”
“Yeah, I’m getting that feeling.” She sighs and picks up a Jell-O shot. “I hope this doesn’t get me fired.”
“Who would fire you?” I ask. “Maggie? Not going to happen. And like Maple said, you’ve been relieved of your duties.”
She studies me for a moment. “You know, Hardy, it almost seems like you want me to drink, to get drunk.”
“What? No,” I scoff. “Why would I do that? I need you primed and ready as my partner.”
“But maybe it would be easier to talk to me,” she says, calling me out.
“No, that would requiremeto drink more.”
She hands me a Jell-O shot. “Then drink, because I hate this uncomfortable, awkward aura about you.”
“I’m not awkward and uncomfortable.”
“Oh my God.” She laughs. “Hardy, please. You can barely look at me, and I have no idea why.”
Because if I look at you, I’ll stare, and I don’t want to be caught staring.
“I’m looking at you right now,” I say.
“Because I told you to.”
“Fine,” I say. “I won’t take my eyes off you.” I lift my Jell-O shot to my mouth, keeping my eyes on her the entire time.
“Oh my God, don’t do that,” she says, playfully pushing at my head. “That’s creepy.”
