Bargaining with the Bride (Honeybrook Love, Inc. 1)

"You're right, that's a lot less interesting." Natalie smiled, "For god's sake, like either of you could keep anything a secret from me. Just have out with it."

Rachael pursed her lips, but there really was no way around it. Natalie would be at the wedding, after all. Hell, she was a bridesmaid. If Garret's cockamamie scheme was going to even have a shot at working, she would have to get Na

talie in on the action too.

"It was sort of a bet," Rachael started, then without taking so much as a breath, she explained what had happened with Lance, the situation she was in with her family, and finally Garret's new role as her current personal savior. The basics.

"Um, okay. I'll get to the bet in a sec. But could we focus on the nurse's outfit thing for a minute?" Natalie wrinkled her nose in an effort not to laugh. It was unsuccessful.

"I'm more interested in where he found pumps for men," Garret added.

"That's not really the point, guys. But, let's just say his feet were...petite at best."

Natalie gave an understanding, slightly-too-sympathetic nod, while it was Garret's turn to try not to laugh.

"I can't believe you left out that part of the story when you told me," he shook his head.

"Yeah, well, forgive me for attempting to hide my heartbreak from you guys. I can't imagine why I didn't want to tell you." Try as she might, Rachael was still pretty steamed about their reaction. Even if the visual memory of Lance all dolled up in the nurse's outfit was hilarious. Okay, more than hilarious, outrageous.

Still, her friends apologized, and there was a lull in the air as they all sipped their coffee and got lost in their own thoughts.

"So you really think he can fool your family?" Natalie asked.

"Oh hell no. It wasn't my idea." Rachael said.

At the same time, Garret pshawed. "How hard could it be?"

"You just don’t know we well enough.”

“As if.” But it was cute that he thought she was an open book. The only problem was that, even if she was, the book was probably written in Greek.

"I think I know you well enough to play a different version of you in The Parent Trap. I'm observant. It's my thing."

"Might I suggest a friendly competition?" Natalie said, looking from one to the other.

It was barely a second before the two chimed in unison, "You're on."

"We'll see how well you two know each other. I'll ask you guys a question about the other person, and you have to answer. Kind of like a newlywed game but, you know, for people who don't sleep together. If Garret wins, I get the day off. If Rachael wins, I get a half day."

"I fail to see how either of those options have anything to do with the game itself," Garret argued.

"Is that really what matters right now, or do you want to win?" Natalie tilted her head to the side.

Rachael smiled. If Natalie was good at anything, it was knowing when to keep Rachael and Garret in check and when to play on their competitive spirits. Right now, it was pretty clear which she was gunning for.

"Okay, Rach, sit by the fridge. Garret, sit on the other end of the kitchen, near the sink." Natalie ordered.

They moved their chairs, each competitor poised for victory.

Rachael could already taste the sweet nectar of Garret's defeat.

"Ready?" Natalie looked from one to the other as they both gave solemn nods.

"Okay then, let's start easy. How does your partner take their coffee?" Natalie turned to Rachael first.

"Uh, he, um, just likes cream." She looked over to Garret, already beaming in his chair.

"What kind of cream?" He sounded bored.