Page 172 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“No, that’s okay. We got it. That’s why you paid us. Just wanted to let you know that we’re done with service.”
“Well, thank you. You were wonderful.”
“Exceptional,” Hardy says as he stands beside me and to my surprise, places his hand on the nape of my neck. “Really great service, from the drinks to the food.”
“Thank you. We appreciate it.”
Just then, Maple walks up to us with a smile. “I can handle this from here on out. Why don’t you two take off?”
“Oh no, that’s okay,” I say. “I can help out.”
Maple places her hand on my arm. “Seriously, you’ve done so much already. Let me take care of this part, okay?” When I don’t answer her right away, she adds, “Please.”
I don’t like it, but I also know that I’m drunk right now, and I’m not sure I have much fight in me to stay. “Okay, but only because you said please.”
She chuckles. “Thank you. Now, why don’t you and Hardy grab an Uber?”
“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t want to do that,” I answer. “He’s probably sick of me by now.”
His thumb caresses my neck as he leans in and says, “Impossible. I could never get sick of you.”
Goose bumps spread down my arms and legs from the feel of his words so close to my ear.
“We’ll grab an Uber together,” he adds. “Want me to request it?”
“No,” I nearly shout. “Uh, I mean, I can handle it. Let me just run to the bathroom quickly and then we can take off, share an Uber, because you know, saving the environment with carpooling.” I fist pump the air and then without looking back, I hurry toward the house and straight to the bathroom.
Thankfully, no one is occupying it.
I swiftly take care of business, wash my hands, and then pull out my phone to shoot a quick text to Ember.
Everly:Red Alert! There was leaning, touching, and things that he said that have led me to believe that he might want to make a move. I am telling myself that this is not a delusional moment, that this is real. He even…*whispers* he twirled my hair and touched the nape of my neck.
Ember is quick to answer as her blue dots appear on the screen letting me know that she’s answering right away.
Ember:He touched THE NAPE?
Everly:The nape, Ember. He touched the nape.
Ember:Well, that’s…that’s all the indication you need.
Everly:You think so?
Ember:I know so. I think this is your moment.
Everly:Oh God, I think I might faint. He’s sharing an Uber with me. What if…what if he asks to come up to my apartment?
Ember:Do you think he would?
Everly:He TOUCHED THE NAPE!
Ember:Fair, but that could just be intimacy. We’re talking asking to go up to your apartment, which is a whole other level. That’s…“he ran his hand up my ribcage and connected with side boob” level. Did he do that? Did he connect with side boob?
Everly:There was no side boob connection.
Ember:Tough to say then. I guess just share the Uber and see where it goes.
Everly: Youthink I should share the Uber?
