Page 226 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“That makes me so…sad. I wish I’d known,” Maple murmurs.
“It’s fine,” I say as I continue to wipe away my tears. “No one really knew besides my sister. It was why I was trying to date other guys, because I was trying to forget about him. But it was impossible. So, after everything that happened that morning when he told me he couldn’t be with me…three different ways, it was like a dagger to my soul, crushing and heartbreaking. This man that I’ve wanted for so long, trying everything in his power to let me down gently. It just…it?—”
“It wasn’t his truth,” Maple says. When I look up at her, she gives me a kind smile. “That wasn’t his truth. Was he a dumbass in that moment? Yes, but it wasn’t how he felt. He wanted nothing more than to be with you. But his brother got in his head, and given the situation with his father and not wanting to damage the family any more, Hardy would have done anything to keep his siblings close, even if that meant giving up what he wants.”
“She’s right,” Polly adds. “Hardy is very loyal, and if Hudson put up a fight, then he would have stepped back to make sure he didn’t hurt his siblings.”
“He’s never fought like this before,” Maple says. “I know because he didn’t fight for us, and I’m okay with that—we weren’t supposed to be together. I like to think that my relationship with Hardy was a pathway for you two to find each other. I know you’re scared, and I know he hurt you, but it wasn’t intentional. Hardy would never do that. He’s a good guy, a solid guy, the kind of guy that you want in your life. He’ll be good to you, Everly. He’ll be a partner—someone you can rely on. Please don’t block him out of your life because he was an idiot the morning after, or an idiot in handling this whole situation.”
“And he owns up to being the idiot. Last night he told us all about it and how he wishes he could take it all back, have a do-over.” Polly looks me dead in the eyes. “I think he’s in love with you, Everly, and if you don’t let him back in, if you don’t allow him to have another chance, then you’re going to be missing out on a great man.”
My lip quivers.
More tears build behind my eyes.
And I lean back against the couch, letting out a deep breath as I stare up at the ceiling.
“I think I’m in love with him too,” I say, surrendering to these feelings that won’t stop racing through me no matter how hard I try to block them out. “And I don’t think I can stop it from happening.”
“You’re not supposed to stop love, Everly, you’re supposed to embrace it.” Polly tugs on my hand, forcing me to look at her. “It will be okay, I promise. He won’t hurt you again, and if he does, I’ll be first in line to hurt him.”
Maple holds up her hand. “Second.”
I chuckle and cover my face with my hands. “Ugh, this is not why I’m here. This day is about you.”
“In that case,” Polly says, “I demand that you make things right with Hardy.”
“Polly—”
“I’m serious. It’s the least you can do for putting me ten minutes behind on hair and makeup.” She smiles softly. “Seriously, I have an idea, a way to seal the deal on this romance you two have been working through.”
“I love ideas,” Maple says. “Especially when they’re demanded by the bride, because you have no other choice. If she demands it, you have to do it.”
“Precisely,” Polly says. “So…are you ready to make things right with Hardy?”
I look between the two of them and despite the nerves bouncing through me, I say, “I hope I can trust you two.”
A large smile spreads across both of their faces. “Oh, you can trust us,” Polly says. “We were the ones who made the night of your dreams happen…it’s only poetic this comes full circle now.”
HARDY
Smile.
Breathe.
Smile…
Breathe.
Two words and two words only have been on repeat in my head since the moment we started taking pre-ceremony pictures.
I’ve been chill all morning, hanging out with Ken and a very excited George who bought us all matching socks because he was so thrilled to be a groomsman. I’ve kept my mind on my friend and not the impending photo session and ceremony, where I knew I’d have to see Everly. I did a good job, but fuck, the moment I saw her in that dress, I felt my heart crash to the ground.
The dress is hugging her in all the right places but not showing off too much. When she walks, the slit shows off a glimmer of her leg, reminding me of how they felt wrapped around my waist. And her hair, sleek and curled on the ends, hangs like a black velvet curtain over her shoulders, tucked behind her ears so her heart-shaped face is on display. And those lips, painted in a simple rose color, shine against the light of the day, tugging on my heart, reminding me of how much I lost.
She is stunning.
So goddamn beautiful that I’ve had a really hard time keeping my eyes off her.
