“Unless you have a better suggestion,” Garrett said as she reached over and cut the deck, revealing the queen of hearts.
“We could renegotiate the terms of our agreement,” she said, placing the cards back on the deck.
Nodding, Garrett said, “We could do that,” as he reached over and cut the deck, revealing the ace of spades.
“Two hours for every hour that I use you for my own nefarious needs isn’t going to work for me,” Kristen said with a heartfelt sigh and a sad shake of her head, making his lips twitch as he placed the cards back on the deck.
“And going to the mall, playing mini golf, and watching the game with me every week?” Garrett drawled as she took her turn, revealing the three of hearts.
“Will result in wasted manpower, hours, money, and time since they’ll never find your body,” Kristen said, making him chuckle as she placed the cards back on the deck.
“You want the usual?” a middle-aged woman asked, pulling out a small notepad from her apron as she made her way to their table.
Never taking his eyes off Kristen, Garrett said, “And a cheeseburger platter with extra tomatoes and no pickles and a chocolate milkshake with a shot of hot fudge for the lady, please.”
“You got it,” the waitress said, writing it down on her notepad as she walked away.
“Come here a lot?” Kristen asked as she watched him cut the deck.
“I don’t sleep well,” Garrett said, showing her the eight of spades.
“Guilty conscience?” she asked, taking her turn.
“Something like that,” he said as he took in the queen of hearts. “I’m willing to renegotiate the terms of our agreement.”
“I’m listening,” Kristen said, placing the cards back on the deck.
“We keep playing, high card gets to ask a question. You have to tell the truth or the game is over and you automatically lose,” Garrett said, taking his turn and revealed the ten of diamonds.
“Do I get any skips?” Kristen asked, knowing better than to agree to anything without giving herself an out.
“Two,” Garrett said, placing the cards back on the deck.
“Four,” she countered, taking her turn.
“Two,” Garrett said, glancing at the two of clubs in her hand before taking his turn and revealing the six of diamonds.
“Fine. Then, I get to decide the terms of our deal,” Kristen said, meeting his gaze as she took her turn.
“How about this?” Garrett said as his gaze flickered to the five of spades in her hand. “If you win, we’ll go back to the original deal, for every two hours that I allow you to use my body for your nefarious ways, I get one hour of your time.”
“With vetoes,” Kristen amended.
Nodding, Garrett said, “With vetoes.”
“And if I lose…”
“Then, the roles are reversed and for every hour that I allow you to use my body for your nefarious needs, you owe me two,” Garrett said before adding, “with no vetoes.”
Slowly nodding, Kristen placed the cards back on the deck as she thought that over. For a moment, she debated changing the terms so that if she won, she didn’t owe him any hours so that she could finish this book without being forced to spend time with him, but...
There was something seriously wrong with her.
“Fine. How do we decide who loses?” Kristen asked as their waitress returned with their food.
“Whoever loses ten rounds first,” Garrett said as several double-cheeseburger platters were placed in front of him along with a Coke.
“Is that with or without the skips?” Kristen asked as her food was placed in front of her. “Thank you,” she said, never taking her eyes off the man sitting across from her while he debated his answer.
