A new voice chimed in. "I've been trying to get details out of Natalie for weeks. Even after the memo went out, she hasn’t changed her tune."
"That much I believe." Millie laughed.
"What can you expect? The sluts stick together. It's in their code or something." Another woman hissed.
Anger roiled in Rachael's stomach. That was enough.
It was one thing to talk about her and Garret. They could call her whatever they wanted and disregard all the work she did to get to her place in the company.
But Natalie?
She deserved better than that.
Squaring her shoulders, Rachael stepped around the corner and walked into the break room, trying her best to remain as casual as possible.
"Good morning, ladies." She grinned like they'd all just shouted compliments at her, and then beamed even wider when she spotted the shocked discomfort on their faces.
"How's the coffee today?" she asked, ignoring the pointed silence as she picked up the carafe.
She poured a cup, fixed it, and then took a sip. She could practically hear the gears in their mind whirring, questioning how much she'd heard or if she'd heard anything at all.
"It's a little bitter, I think," she said casually, then poured it down the drain and left her mug in the sink. "Would one of you mind getting that for me? Thanks so much." And with that, she strode from the room, all too aware of their eyes on her retreating back.
It was the perfect exit. So smooth and suave and classy.
Or, at least, it would have been if she hadn’t run straight into Garret’s huge, muscular chest on her way out of the kitchen
He caught her wrist, then released it, his dark eyes widening as he took her in. “Rachael. You were supposed to be—“
“I am. I had a question for you, but it can wait.”
“I have time,” he smiled at her and her stomach twisted.
Wasn’t it bad enough that she had to worry about the contents of that stupid folder? Now he had to look so…so happy to see her in front of all these snide bitches?
“I really have to be going. I’ve got to get to the florist and—“
“I’ll help.”
“No.” She knew her words were rushed. Too rushed. His brows knit together in confusion, but before he spoke again, she hurried to beat him to the chase.
“Look, I know you agreed to help and everything, but I think I need some time today to prepare for the wedding and, you know, my family. I’ll see you tonight.”
She wondered for a second if he’d bend down to kiss her here in the office, but before she had a chance to find out, she turned on her heel and bolted for the elevator.
What she’d said had been partially true. She needed time alone to think.
But even alone in the elevator, the only thing she could think about was whether this bargain had been the worst idea she’d ever had.
* * *
All through dinner, Rachael barely looked him in the eye. Even during her mother's passive-aggressive musings about why Garret's family hadn't seen fit to attend the wedding. Even when she'd made mention of how she always thought Rachael would end up with "that nice boy from the international debate team." Even when she'd mentioned Lance.
And that was nothing compared to the cold shoulder she'd given him during the ceremony itself. She'd been beyond frosty, and when he'd asked her about it, she'd simply said there was a lot on her mind.
Right.
After she'd left the office, he'd had an inclination something was wrong, but he thought her ignoring her texts and calls might have been a symptom of exactly how much she had to do.
Now, though?
Now there was no doubt in his mind.
Something was wrong here.
Eliza cut off her mother's speech with a clinking of her champagne flute, and even that didn't bring a smile to Rachael's face.
"Okay, everybody. Those were some great toasts, am I right?" Eliza grinned from the dozing elderly woman at the far end of the table to her passive-looking father.
"Right, well, I know my big speech is tomorrow, but I just wanted to take a minute and say how thankful I am that Rachael has found someone like Garret. I know that we don't know him all that well, but in the few glimpses we've had of the two of them as a couple, I think we can all agree that their love is tangible. The way you guys look at each other, defend each other, and laugh with each other is an inspiration. I hope we can all be as luck one day." Eliza lifted her glass and added, "To Rachael and Garret."
The crowd around the table chanted the words, and then sipped their glasses in unison as a team of waiters began delivering the first course.
Rachael scooted from her chair and mumbled something about heading to the bathroom and when she'd cleared the tiny party room, he made an excuse to follow her.