Page 25 of Mistletoe Bargain with the Billionaire

Once Marley’s asked about the wedding, she chatters away and soon we’re all talking. As food and wine are consumed, everyone’s mood becomes merrier and no one at the table questions the likelihood of our relationship for the rest of dinner.

15- Nick

The Partridge and Pear Inn will host Marley’s upcoming wedding and is also where we’ll be staying while in town. I can’t stop grinning like an idiot at our clerk as the keys to our suite are passed over.

There’s only one moment that throws us both. “Enjoy your stay in the Evergreen Suite, Mr. and Mrs. Frost!”

We both gape at the clerk for three full beats before we face each other and it’s so obvious we want to start laughing. Mr. and Mrs. Frost? Us?

“To think, she thought I was your wife!” Carol says in the elevator soon after, wiping away tears of laughter.

“Yeah,” I chuckle… and then I don’t feel like chuckling anymore. Is it so outrageous, the notion of Carol being my wife? Would the wild child ever settle for the computer nerd? She wouldn’t be the first to not want me as I am.

What am I even talking about? We’re here as old friendspretendingto be a couple. I love my single life in San Fran and, once this week is done, I’ll return to it. There’s always girls at the clubs when Anthony and I want to party and plenty of beautiful women have graced my arm for something more like dating.

But, how many of them make you laugh like Carol does? Challenge you to step outside your comfort zone like Carol? How many girls have kissed you with all the purity and sweetness of a winter’s bride in the town square gazebo and been ready to get down and dirty with you an hour later outside the ladies’ room at Barney’s?

None of them.

Those girls and women are looking for what Billionaire Nicholas Frost can doforthem. They don’t care to know the guy behind the bank account. They would never want to take a cross-country road trip with Mr. Jinglebell, be more thrilled by cornfield snow globes in Iowa than Prada handbags, delight in grilled cheese sandwiches from room service while watching Christmas movies or convince you to help four kids at the local pizza joint with plans to found their startup.

And, admittedly, I’m not sure I’d ever have talked to Grams quite like that in defense of any of them either.

Just Carol.

AlwaysCarol.

“Nick?”

The elevator doors have opened and I’m standing here mentally gathering wool while this beautiful, lively woman waits for me to have her for dessert. Gotta get my head in the game.

“Come on, honey. Let’s go.” I carry our bags while she carries Mr. Jinglebell to our suite.

???

“Nick!”

“I know. You like it?”

“Like it? It’s AMAZING! What is…NICK!”

I cover my face, chuckling at Carol’s excitement over the Evergreen Suite and only a little miffed that it’s not me eliciting these enthusiastic exclamations.

There may be only one bed but the inn does things right if you’re looking for a luxury getaway in Whistler, especially in winter. Snow is still falling on our darkened balcony but part of it is shielded from the elements and holds a…

“Our own hot tub! Why didn’t I bring a swimsuit?”

“Maybe you won’t need one,” I murmur darkly.

Inside, the enormous king-sized bed is…

“This will be like sleeping on a cloud!” Carol giggles, bouncing up and down on the mattress, giving me some very bad (and very good) ideas.

Meanwhile, the living area has its own…

“A fireplace,” Carol sighs. “What could be more romantic?”

“Yeah, romantic,” I growl, dropping our bags and pulling her close. She gasps but eagerly returns my kiss. Apples and cinnamon, sweetness and spice - Carol. She’s in my blood and under my skin, isn’t she?

---