Page 77 of Bridesmaid Undercover
“Same,” I say.
“Alcoholic?” he asks, brows raised.
“Yes,” Maple and I say at the same time, making Timothy laugh.
“On it, ladies. Head down to lane twelve, the guys are waiting for you.”
“Thanks,” Maple says and then Timothy takes off.
I turn to her and whisper, “Okay, he’s hot.”
She laughs. “Timothy is one of the most highly sought-after zookeepers at the zoo, at least that’s what has been told to me. He doesn’t want to date anyone in the same profession though. Hence why we work so well together as new friends.”
“Good to know. What animal does he take care of?”
“The rhinos.”
“That’s so cool,” I say.
“If you ask him about his line of work, he won’t stop talking about them, so prepare yourself.”
“Noted,” I say as we head toward lane twelve.
We weave through people, past rows and rows of untouched bowling bars, and to the very end of the bowling alley wherelane twelve is situated. And just like Timothy said, there are two pizzas on the high-top table, along with beers and buffalo wings.
Two guys are sitting on the bench and chatting as we walk up.
“Hey,” Maple says, raising her hand in greeting. “I’m Maple and this is Everly.”
“Hey, I’m Mario,” one of the guys says as he stands. Dark hair, dark features, with some dark chest hair peeking through the V-neck of his shirt.
“And I’m Sven,” the lighter-haired man says. “Great to meet you.”
We smile and then of course stand there awkwardly. Finally, I ask, “How do you know Timothy?”
“Went to school with him,” Mario says. “And before you ask, no, I’m not a zookeeper. I work in finance. I brought my other friend as well—he’s in the bathroom.”
“And Timothy used to date my sister,” Sven says. “She’s married to someone else now, and I told her I wasn’t giving up my friendship, so…here I am.”
That makes me chuckle. “At least you’re honest about it.”
“I was devastated when they broke up,” Sven says. “Worst mistake of her life and now she’s married to a guy who is just…okay. He sure as hell can’t tell me tales about rhinos, that’s for damn sure.”
“Maple? Everly?” A familiar voice pulls our attention to the right where Hardy comes into view.
Uh…
What is he doing here?
“Hardy?” Maple says.
He steps into our area and sticks his hands in his pockets. “Are you two playing with us tonight?”
“Us?” I ask, blinking a few times.
“Yeah,” Hardy says.
Maple and I exchange glances and then look back at the men.
