Page 32 of His Christmas Wife

“You must be Ms. Robbins.” Isabelle extended her hand. “Welcome to Charme du Vieux Carré.”

“It’s…” As the two greeted one another, Kaylee glanced around. “Amazing.”

“We’ve been here for forty years.”

“I can see why. Elegant, classy, yet comfortable.”

“Are you in marketing?”

Kaylee laughed. Had he ever heard that sound before?

“No. Just commenting on the vibe I’m getting. The flowers, the tree with the gifts beneath, the plush chairs that invite people to relax.”

Isabelle’s eyes twinkled. “That’s more about being smart. Sometimes customers take much longer to browse than their companions are expecting. If they have a place to unwind with a whiskey or bubbly, they’re less likely to interrupt a potential purchase.”

“That’s smart,” Kaylee acknowledged. “At any rate, thank you for accommodating us on your day off.”

Isabelle smiled at him. “All he ever has to do is ask.”

A man who Isabelle introduced as Jean Claude joined them from the back room. “May we offer you champagne? Coffee?”

“Thank you, but I don’t want to put you to any trouble,” was Kaylee’s unsurprising reply.

“Having a beverage makes everyone more comfortable.” Isabelle’s contradiction was soft and hospitable yet firm.

“In that case, coffee for me, please.”

Frost nodded. “Same.”

“Do you have any idea what you’re looking for?” Isabelle asked Kaylee.

“Something inexpensive.”

As if there was anything in this store that fit that description. Dismissively Frost waved his hand, earning him an icy glare from his fake fiancée. “My grandmother will have certain expectations.”

“Absolutely she will,” Isabelle agreed.

Kaylee sighed deeply. “How about a plain band?”

“Again, this is about Gran’s expectations,” he cut in.

“In that case,darling,”—there was a bite in Kaylee’s voice—”why don’t you and Isabelle select something you both think your grandmother will find suitable?”

“You’ll be the one wearing it.” Frost attempted not to let his annoyance drip from his words.

“Jewelry is very personal.” Isabelle kept her tone neutral, and he couldn’t tell if she was trying to soothe him or Kaylee. But she looked at Kaylee directly. “I think you should have something you like.”

“I had it, once.” Pain ghosted in her eyes, turning them to dark gold. “This time it doesn’t matter.”

Another glimpse of her past, one he had no idea about. Had Kaylee been engaged? Maybe even married?Shit.This was something he should know about her.

“Why don’t you come with me?” Isabelle suggested.

At that moment, Jean Claude rolled out a cart. The top shelf held bottled water, porcelain cups, cream, sugar, and sweeteners. There was also a three-tiered platter filled with small pastries and every kind of cookie imaginable.

“If you’ll excuse us, Evan?”

While Isabelle guided Kaylee to the far side of the shop, he shrugged helplessly and plucked a cranberry scone from the platter and accepted a coffee that Jean Claude poured from a silver carafe.

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