Page 49 of Bridesmaid Undercover
Yes…it will. I look at the beautiful, smart woman across from me, the one I can’t help but like, despite my jealousy. A great partnership indeed.
“I’msurprised you’re talking to me,” Ember says over the phone as I grab my dinner from the microwave and take a seat at my bistro table, alone once again. I’m surprised I’m talking to her as well after what she put me through, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
“The only reason I called is because I need some advice and I know you’ll tell it to me straight.”
“I pride myself on that,” she quips.
“As long as you don’t pride yourself on setting people up, that’s all that matters.”
“For the record,” she says, an edge to her voice, “Trevor told me Tomothy was a cool dude, so I thought that was a sign of approval. After speaking with my husband, I’ve come to find thatcool dudecould mean a variety of things. I also learned to not ask him questions while he’s playing Overcooked because he doesn’t pay attention—he’s too busy chopping and making sure he doesn’t burn the rice.”
“Uh, okay. Not sure what you’re talking about there, but we’re moving on because the last thing I want to do is talk about Tomothy.”
“Don’t blame you. On the way out of the restaurant, he spat a loogie and then examined it. Got on the ground and everything. The dude is not a winner.”
“Disgusting,” I say. “And moving on. I’m calling you because I’m in a bit of a predicament.”
“Does this have to do with Hardy Hopper and your insane crush?”
“Sort of,” I say, feeling my cheeks stain with embarrassment as I dip my fork into my pot roast. “I met Maple today, his ex.”
“Really? What was she like?”
“Perfect,” I say. “And I don’t say that in a mean way. She just is. She’s perfect. She has a very sweet disposition, soft-spoken voice, she’s stunning, and she’s so smart. She can hold a great conversation, is very humble, and seems like she’s a great friend. She’s the whole package.”
“Are we upset about that?”
“I mean, does it suck? Yes, but also hard to hate someone who was really nice to talk to.”
“That’s annoying. If she was awful, this would have been easier.”
“I don’t know,” I say before taking a bite of my pot roast. “I would have hated seeing Hardy go after someone who is awful or rude. That’s not who I could see him with, but I could see him with Maple. I see why he wants to try to get back with her. It was obvious from the first five minutes I spent with her.”
“Okay, so then what’s the dilemma?”
“Well.” I cross one leg over the other. “She was very adamant about not being around Hardy and not wanting to speak to him. She confessed that they were together and that they went their separate ways. She was a little upset about how it ended, but now she’s a different person and she just doesn’t want to go down that road again. She also said she wasn’t sure how serious it was between them. So now I feel like I’m in this weird position because a part of me is like…yay! She wants nothing to do with him, let’s get Hardy to move on and move on to me. But the other part is thinking, did I just hear what I wanted to hear because I still want that chance with him?”
“Ahh, I see. Well, did she say anything about having feelings for him?”
“No, not really. She was very disinterested.”
“So then, tell him that.”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “And after, should I ask him out?”
“Oh my God, Everly. No!”
“Why not?” I ask on a pout.
“Because the man is pining after another girl. Can we move past this, please? Do I need to set you up with another Tomothy?”
“No, for the love of God, please don’t.” I push my food around with my fork, taking in the emptiness of my apartment and how I wish there was someone else here with me, sharing these microwaved meals and enjoying the peace of the night. “I just think if she’s not interested?—”
“But you don’t really know that after one conversation. I think you need to give it a chance, see how she reacts when she sees him after years apart—that could stir up feelings.”
“Why are you on his side?” I ask.
“I’m not on his side. I’m trying to help you avoid heartache. I don’t want you pining after a man who’s interested in someone else. You’re to do two jobs where Hardy and Maple are concerned. Fulfill your responsibilities as a bridesmaid for hire because, first and foremost, Maggie and the company will always come first. And then you’re to be the middleman for Hardy until he can handle it himself. That’s it. Nothing else. I love you, Everly, but that’s all it could ever be, and you need to remember that.”
