The Honeymoon Prize Read Online Free PDF

when we were climbing on the monkey bars at recess,” Nick continued.
    “The monkey bars. That’s awesome.” Brad motioned the cameraman closer. “When did you fall in love?”
    Oh, no. Knees weak, she leaned against Nick hoping for an ounce of his strength to fortify her. The man was solid, all muscle and confidence. But she doubted he could pull off this line of questioning with his usual pizzazz.
    Nick pulled her closer like a caring husband would. “I’ve loved Addie for as long as I can remember. I proposed to her for the first time when we were in kindergarten.”
    His words—totally true—chased away the cold and chills. She loved him the same way he loved her . . . as friends. Always had. Well, when she hadn’t been crushing on him, wishing she could be his girlfriend. Boy, she’d been so young and naïve back then.
    “What was your answer?” Brad asked her.
    “Yes,” she admitted. “Though Miss Jones, our kindergarten teacher, made us promise not to kiss. She didn’t want germs spread.”
    “I remember Miss Jones.” Nick smiled. “She had a brown rabbit.”
    “Cocoa.”
    “We used to take turns bringing Cocoa home.”
    “Not me. Grammy didn’t want rodents in the house.”
    “You visited Cocoa at my house.”
    Addie nodded. “We fed her carrots.”
    “I made you clean up the rabbit poop.”
    She laughed. “You always made me do the dirty work.”
    He winked. “Still do.”
    Brad beamed, doubling the high-power wattage of his smile. “Looks like we picked the right couple.”
    “Picked?” Her gazed bounced like a cat trying to catch a laser pointer. “We won the contest.”
    “Same thing,” Brad explained. “The winning couple needed to appeal to the masses, otherwise the show would be a ratings bust.”
    “Someone looked over the entries and choose us, rather than selecting a random winner?” she asked.
    “The selection process was explained in the rules and agreement you signed with your entry.”
    Nick inhaled sharply.
    She forced herself from doing the same thing. Neither had read any paperwork. No rules or agreements had been signed. Emily had filled out the entry form, included pictures of them, and forged their signatures. Addie and Nick hadn’t known about the contest until they’d been declared the winners and asked to provide social security numbers for tax purposes.
    Stupid? Maybe.
    But no one turned down a free ten-day vacation complete with new wardrobes. Maybe they should have asked questions, made sure there weren’t any catches to the prize like starring in a reality TV program.
    Brad’s gaze narrowed to slits. “Is there a problem?”
    “No problem.” Nick’s smile didn’t crinkle the corner of his eyes, but no one would notice except her. “We would appreciate the allowed time alone. We haven’t had a wedding night yet.”
    Nick was trying to buy them time, but her cheeks burned. Did everything have to be about sex when you were on your honeymoon? Still she managed a smile and a nod.
    “No worries.” Brad held out his hands palms facing them. “We’ll film you carrying your bride over the threshold of the bure and then leave you alone. Jet lag won’t make for good footage anyway.”
    “That works.” Nick’s voice sounded forced, like he was talking between clenched teeth. “Doesn’t it, honey?”
    The endearment surprised her. He’d called her many things over the years, but never anything intimate. This was going to take some getting used to.
    “Sounds good to me.” She’d rather be dealing with cramps. Okay, not really, but she wanted to enjoy her first real vacation in over a decade, not play an in-love newlywed couple for the camera with her best guy friend when her heart wished she was here with her one true love, whoever that might be.
    “Let’s go,” Brad said. “The sooner we get the footage. The sooner the two of you can be alone.”
    Nick dropped his arm from around her. “We’re ready.”
    “Our overnight bags?” she