Page 40 of His Christmas Wife

“Would you like to verify the charges?”

“Not necessary.”

When they were alone, Kaylee leaned forward. “Look, Mr. Frost. Just because Julie said you had to pay for this, it doesn’t mean that—”

He slammed his palm onto the table. “This has nothing to do with Julie.”

“But I can afford—”

“I’m sure you can, but you’re not going to.” Would the stubborn woman have insisted on paying half of the lunch at Bourbon? And had that had anything to do with her vehement objection to one of the city’s finest dining establishments? “Once again, Ms. Robbins, a simple thank you would suffice.”

She exhaled. “Am I an obstacle to you?”

The earnestness in her question dissipated his flash of frustration. “You are anything but. Confounding at times, perhaps. But I’d prefer to think of us as collaborators.”

At his comment, she shook her head. “That’s not possible when everything has to be your way.”

Intentionally he lowered his tone. “If that were true, we wouldn’t be here. And you’d have a much larger diamond.” And he’d refused Brigette’s demands to continue cutting costs.

Kaylee tipped her head to one side as if acknowledging what he said.

Their server returned with the receipt, thanked them for coming in, then wished them a merry Christmas before moving away.

Frost scrawled his name on the bottom of the paper and added a more-than-generous tip—which he would have done even if Kaylee weren’t studying him so intently.

The fact that she’d watched to ensure he’d take care of the person who had waited on them annoyed the fuck out of him. “I’m no Scrooge.”

“If you say so.”

“Shall we?”

At the host stand, she stopped to give her friend a hug before rejoining him to head outside where Jennings was waiting.

Kaylee turned over the bag containing the restaurant’s signature dessert. “Mr. Frost got this for you.”

“Did he indeed?”

Frost clenched his teeth.

“Very thoughtful of you, sir.” Jennings studied him. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”

Frost swore he smelled the sugar and spice the entire way back to Charme du Vieux Carré.

They arrived in less time than he’d promised, and Jean Claude was standing by to let them in.

On the far side of the showroom, Isabelle waited, an open box sitting on the glass counter.

As they neared, the gem beckoned brightly, causing Kaylee to slow her steps slightly.

Even if the diamond was smaller than he preferred, the piece itself was magnificent—as beautiful as his pretend Christmas bride.

Frost plucked the ring from its velvet cushion and was holding the piece when Kaylee reached his side.

“It can stay in the box until we leave for your grandmother’s house.”

Firmly he shook his head.Absolutely not.“You need to get comfortable wearing it.”

After a moment, she sighed, capitulating. One of the most rewarding sounds ever.

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