Page 79 of Holiday Hook Up

“Why are you two so curious?” Adam raised a playful eyebrow. “Are you both interested in him?”

Rachel looked away while Zoe shook her head fast and furious.

He asked his question another way. “Is one of you interested in him?”

Rachel threw her arms in the air. “I just need to know that it’s nothim.”

“Me, too,” Zoe said. “That it’s not him forme. I don’t care if he’s Rachel’s soul mate.”

Bethany couldn’t help but think that each gal was protesting way too much. Of course, she knew that Rachel had been hooking up with Will and struggling to admit she liked him, but did Zoe have feelings for him, too? “I think I have an idea, but we need to head to the lake.”

It only took twenty minutes for them all to meet at the Lakeside Inn. Before they left the store, Bethany had filled Rachel and Zoe in on the hope chest and swore them to secrecy.

Maybe Adam couldn’t perform the Batter Up spell, but they could have Rachel and Zoe each open the hope chest to see if a wedding gown appeared. Maybe it would help minimize World War Three if, in fact, both were smitten with Will.

She pulled her seatbelt off and hopped out of Adam’s truck. Who was she kidding? If one pulled out a wedding dress, and the other didn’t, it definitely could start a war.

It was too late to turn back now. She’d already opened her mouth, and Rachel and Zoe had pulled in next to Adam’s truck in Rachel’s Audi.

They gathered in the foyer where Brandon greeted them. Once Bethany filled him in on what they were there for, he’d said to go on up.

“Okay, this is what I need you both to do.” She started up the stairs and paused. “Hold on for a second.” Turning around, she stepped down and kissed Adam.

He wrapped his arms around her. “What’s that for?”

She smiled up at him. “Just taking steps.”

He swept her bangs to the side. “Do you want to call this off and step over to my place?”

Boy, did she.She kissed him her response.

“Uh . . . hum.”

Bethany glanced behind her shoulder at both Rachel and Zoe standing at the top of the stairs. “Right. Let’s do this first.” She let go of Adam and climbed up, meeting Rachel’s gaze. “Sorry.”

“You two really are cute together,” Rachel admitted. “I’m happy for you both.”

“Let’s go see what your futures hold, shall we?” Bethany walked into the guest room and opened the door, motioning for the rest to join her.

“So, this is the magical hope chest?” Rachel asked, bending down and running her hands over the top.

“Yes.”

“What do we do?” Zoe asked that question from the doorway. Bethany didn’t blame her for being more than a little apprehensive.

“You each have to open it. Rachel, why don’t you go first since you’re already in position?”

“Okay.” Rachel grabbed onto the handle, lifting it up. She peered inside and reached in.

“What’s in there?” Bethany came up beside her just as Rachel stood and flashed a cream-colored envelope.

“This. It’s addressed to you.” Rachel handed over the envelope.

Bethany looked down to see her first and last name written in black cursive. “I don’t know what this is.”

Adam came up beside her. “Do you want me to open it?”

“No, I will.” She turned it over and tore open the seal.

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