Page 33 of His Christmas Wife

Across the store, the two ladies conversed before browsing through several cases of empty settings. Then maybe ten minutes later, Kaylee slipped on a metal ring to check her size.

Eventually Isabelle nodded. Then they rejoined him. Thank God because curiosity about their private conversation had been driving him mad, and he was about to devour a petit four.

“I think we have an idea of what to consider.”

He’d had no doubts as to Isabelle’s skill in handling Kaylee’s objections. And maybe fears? What the hell had happened in her past?

“But she’d like your input.”

That surprised—and delighted—him. “Of course.” At least he wasn’t completely useless, mere window dressing, while the ladies made all the decisions.

Such a different experience from shopping with Greta who’d asked for the stones first, zeroed in on the most expensive, then decided she wanted additional diamonds on the sides and dozens more on the two bands that would wrap her engagement ring.

Jean Claude poured two more coffees, and Kaylee moved a chocolate chip cookie onto a plate. She broke it in half, then into quarters. And she only ate one.

“Since Kaylee is petite, we’re thinking about an oval stone, a classic solitaire, with a knife-edge, platinum band.”

“Excellent.”

“And I’m sure you’d like a choice in the diamond, Evan?”

“I would.”

After they finished their coffee, and Kaylee had another chunk of her cookie, Isabelle crossed into the back room. A few moments later, she emerged with a tray of radiant jewels.

Kaylee shook her head frantically. “These are all too big.”

“They are completely appropriate,” Frost corrected.

Ignoring him, Kaylee looked at Isabelle. “He can return it next week, right?”

Jesus.This confounding, argumentative woman. “It won’t be returned.”

Mutinously she set her jaw and looked at him. “In that case, I insist on a smaller stone.”

He clenched his back teeth. What the hell had he been thinking when he’d suggested she be his fake wife? That she’d quietly go along with all his suggestions? That this would be easy?

“Kaylee has a point.” Isabelle’s tone was soothing. “On her hand, the stone may look bigger than you expect.”

Was Isabelle part counselor? Maybe a referee?

While Jean Claude returned the large-carat diamonds to the back, Isabelle sipped from a bottle of water.

A few minutes later, the man brought out a different tray and placed it on top of a display case.

“Is there something here you might like, Kaylee?”

Of course she pointed to a few of the smaller stones.

“Excellent choices.” Isabelle nodded, then offered her jeweler’s loupe to him. “I’m certain you’d like to examine them, Evan?”

“I would.” A few minutes later, he’d narrowed the selection to one uniquely perfect diamond.

Kaylee slipped on an empty setting and Isabelle gently fit the stone between the prongs. As Kaylee moved her finger, light refracted in a million directions. “Wow. This is…” She glanced at him.

Fucking stunning. As if it belonged there.

What the hell was wrong with him?

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