Bridesmaid for Hire

“YOU KNOW, I FEEL KIND OF SAD about it,” I say to Maggie as we walk hand in hand down the quaint street.

“You hated that job,” she says. “I don’t even know why you began walking dogs in the first place.”

“Losing your girl does crazy things to you.” I bring our connected hands up to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “But I grew attached to Mr. Sparkle Nose. He was a good dog. And I think he liked me.”

“He bit you every day.”

“Because he was a feisty motherfucker. Can’t knock the guy for having a personality.”

She laughs. “Well, are you excited about starting your new job?”

“I am,” I say. “I still think Hudson and Hardy are nuts, but if they want to try my boutique idea to royally piss off their father, then I’m all for it. But I will say this, when we get back on Monday, I have to work with Jude on a few things, and that guy scares me.”

“Oh please, he’s such a teddy bear.”

“His eyebrow has its own heartbeat. When he gets angry, the eyebrow does damage.”

“Well then, don’t make the eyebrow angry,” Maggie says as we reach The Almond Store.

We decided to take a little trip for the weekend to Almond Bay, where Hattie, Maggie’s best friend lives with her boyfriend, Hayes Farrow. Yeah, that Hayes Farrow. Apparently, Hattie wanted to meet me, so we booked a room at the inn called Five Six Seven Eight—a former Broadway star owns it—and planned a fun weekend getaway that includes a lot of sex. Hence our decision to stay at the inn.

We had about two weeks to wait for this getaway, but I’ve been counting down the days—not only because I walked my last dog today before we drove up here, but also because I plan on telling Maggie that I love her. We haven’t said the words yet because, well, I think we’re both a little skittish after what happened, but I asked for Gary’s permission—he told me I was allowed to love her, but not as much as I love him. I told him never, even though in the back of my mind, I know that if Maggie and Gary were hanging off a cliff, Maggie would be the first to be saved. Sorry, Gare Bear, you’ve been great, but Maggie is far more important.

I thought we could take a stroll on the beach, look at some sea glass, and then I could tell her that I love her. Do I expect her to say it back? No. But would it be amazing? Absolutely.

“This is a nice place,” I say as we step into the whitewashed storefront. Clean with wide plank floors, white shelving, and blue and perfectly styled packages of almonds, this is the kind of store someone like Jaleesa or Patricia would get lost in.

Hattie is the owner of The Almond Store, a cherished family business that focuses on selling their world-famous almond extract, cherry almond cookies, and almond vodka, which they make from scratch. I like all things almond, so don’t mind if I do.

“Oh my God, you’re here,” I hear a voice say, just as a flash of honey-blond runs up to us. I’m pulled into a hug and squeezed tightly. “Brody, it’s so nice to finally meet you.”

She pulls away, and I get a look at her face. Hattie. I’ve seen many pictures of her in Maggie’s apartment, but her smile is even more infectious in person.

“Hattie, great to meet you,” I say. “This store is beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she says and then steps back to size me up. “Oh my God, Maggie. He is handsome.” She says that as if she’s surprised. “And he does look like Henry Cavill, how weird.”

I lift a brow as I look at a blushing Maggie. “You think I look like Henry Cavill?”

“Dead ringer,” she says.

“Consider me flattered.” I kiss the top of her head. “What else did you say?”

“That you’re the best sex she’s ever had. That you rock her world. That she loves—” Hattie clamps her hand over her mouth.

I lend an ear, leaning forward. “What was that now?”

Wide-eyed, Hattie turns to Maggie, so I do as well.

Now Maggie’s cheeks are a deep red. “Uh…” she says, glaring back at her friend.

Chuckling, I say, “Well, I looooooooove you, too. Planned on saying that to you alone while we walked on the beach this weekend. But hey, this works.”

“Oh my God, he loves you.” Hattie jumps up and down, clapping her hands as Maggie turns toward me.

“Really?” she asks.

I cup her cheek and lean my forehead against hers. “Really…princess.”

She smirks and cups the back of my neck as she presses a kiss to my lips. “Love you, too.”

“God, this is adorable,” Hattie says. “I was excited about this weekend, but I never thought I’d experience the first I love you. Wait until I tell Hayes. He’s going to scold me for having a big mouth, but then again, Maggie, you were terrible when Hayes and I were trying to navigate our feelings. I guess it’s payback.”

“I’ll take it,” Maggie says as she kisses me once more before leaning into my side.

“Ugh, if only Aubree was the same way with Wyatt.”

“What are you talking about?” Maggie says. “Who’s Wyatt?”

“Who is Aubree?” I ask.

“My sister,” Hattie says. “Apparently, she’s in love and getting married.”

“What?” Maggie nearly shouts. “Since when?”

“Since a few days ago,” Hattie says as we all walk farther into the store. “Wyatt is technically my brother-in-law.”

“Oh wait, that Wyatt?” That Wyatt? I don’t ask her to explain, knowing I’ll get the details later.

Hattie nods. “Yup, came into town and swept her off her feet. I don’t get it. It’s all really abrupt, but yeah, they’re getting married and…oh…you should help plan the wedding. Get this.” Hattie leans forward. “She just wants to have a quickie ceremony in the potato fields and call it a day. Ryland and I are both like, over our dead bodies. This is something to celebrate, even if we’re still trying to wrap our heads around it.”

“Is she pregnant?” Maggie asks.

“Ryland doesn’t even think they’ve had—”

The bell above the door rings and a woman who looks a lot like Hattie walks in.

“Speak of the devil,” Hattie whispers. “Aubree, I was just telling Maggie about your upcoming nuptials.”

Aubree walks up to Maggie and offers her a hug. “Were you now?”

“I’d love to help out,” Maggie says. “You know I can’t let you get married in a potato field. At least let me string some flowers together for you.”

“That’s not necess—”

“Great, when’s the big day? I can start working on it now.”

I chuckle, which causes Aubree to look up at me. I hold my hand out. “I’m Brody, Maggie’s boyfriend. She loves me.”

Aubree smirks. “Ah, I see. Good luck to you. With this one, you’re going to need it.”

Maggie pulls Aubree over to the side and, grabbing a piece of paper and pen, starts outlining different ideas. The entire time Aubree looks massively uncomfortable. There has to be something going on there. Color me intrigued.

But then I focus on my girl. I can’t take my eyes off her.

She loves me.

Plain and simple.

Just like that.

If only I gave in a few years ago, maybe we would be the ones getting married.

Well, I know that’s in our future—it’s inevitable with a girl like Maggie. I can only hope we’re not going to need a bridesmaid for hire at our wedding.