Page 13 of Jack Frost, CEO

“You’re crazy.” I clear my tray before making my way to the lift.

I then head straight to my desk when the doors open on my floor. I stop at the threshold to Jack’s office and watch him read over a report for a moment. It is a Friday afternoon, so the schedule has a lot of downtime. Jack prefers it this way because it sets the tone for a relaxing weekend. Stella’s comment about him giving me whatever I want floats in my head, and I suddenly want to test the theory. I know Jack loathes my favorite holiday. What I don’t know is why. So I challenge myself to find out.

“I have an idea!”

Jack’s head pops up, and for a split second, I see what I think is hunger in his gaze before he carefully blanks his face. “Miss Mitchell has an idea. I’m officially quaking in my Oxfords. What is this idea, then?” His tone is teasing, which completely contradicts how he usually reacts.

“I want to get a head start on decorating the office for Christmas. I don’t want to leave it for the last minute since I won’t be here much longer.”

Jack frowns, leaving me to wonder which statement is giving him pause. “Of course. Decorate the outer office and the rest of the building as you see fit. I’ll give you the number of the company we usually use. You can plan the Christmas party too, if you want.”

I watch as he opens an email, presumably sending me the information he mentioned, and squeak out a brisk “okay” before I return to my desk. Where I grab my phone and text Stella.

Me: I’m planning the company Christmas party, and he gave me permission to decorate the office.

I chew on my thumbnail as the dots dance at the bottom of the screen.

Stella: I knew it! Sorry… I ducked into the ladies to avoid Eaton. Anyway, so it’s true. The pretty Aussie thawed Jack Frost’s heart after all!

Me: It isn’t like that, and you know it!

Stella: He hasn’t been as grumpy since you started. I know he watches you like he’s afraid you’ll disappear. I also know that in all my time here, we never had a company Christmas party, nor has the office been decorated for the holiday.

I can almost hear her gloating. Rolling my eyes, I write a quick text back.

Me: Just for that, you’re helping me plan this.

Stella: Jeez. Fine. Uh-oh, I can hear Eaton calling my name. GTG.

I drop my phone back into my purse and open my inbox. Jack’s email stares back at me. I want to click on it, but a more pressing subject line catches my attention. Marcus McIntyre canceling his appointment.

Oh boy, this will not go over well at all.

I make a quick phone call before getting up and walking over to Jack’s open door. “So. Mr. Foster? I just got an email…” I trail off.

“Well, Miss Mitchell, you receive many emails at your job. What makes this one noteworthy?”

I clear my throat. “It’s from Marcus McIntyre. He’s canceling his meeting with you.”

Jack sets down the report he is reading and removes his glasses, which gives him more of a devil-may-care vibe—sexier than I am prepared to admit.

“Did he say why?” While his tone is civil, I feel the chill coating the words. Mr. Foster is gone, Jack Frost firmly in his stead.

I shift nervously. “He did not. I called his assistant, who said he was preparing for a trip to Aspen with his family. I managed to get the dates from her, but she wouldn’t give me more information than that.” I place the notes on his desk and take a few steps back.

“Miss Mitchell, please go to the canteen and have a break. Maybe Miss Jarvis will want to join you. I’ll text you when you can come back up. Oh, if you happen to come across Eaton on your way down, please ask him to stop by my office. That will be all.”

I grab my purse and quickly swing by Stella’s workspace.

“What’s the hurry? Is the building on fire?” She barely has time to swipe up her phone before I’m dragging her away from her desk.

“I got an email from Marcus McIntyre’s assistant canceling the meeting.”

“No! Why?”

“I don’t know. All I do know is that Marcus is going to be in Aspen next week. Even that took some sweet talking to pry out of his assistant. When I told Mr. Foster, he got super quiet and asked me to take a break and tell Eaton to come to his office if I saw him.”

“What!” Stella begins to type on her phone.

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