Page 70 of His Christmas Wife

As soon as she exited, she headed straight for the marble desk in the lobby, greeting the woman by name and offering the box along with her holiday greetings.

How much of the world around him did he miss? He’d accused Kaylee of not knowing about the severance packages, but he was guilty as well.

Together, he and Kaylee exited the building as Jennings pulled to the curb.

People bustled everywhere, and winding through the French Quarter was a challenge.

Eventually, Jennings arrived at the Sterling’s garland-draped entrance. Before Jennings could open the door for them, the hotel’s attentive staff had already helped.

“Wow,” Kaylee said as an attendant tipped his hat and ushered them into the lobby.

A massive tree brushed the ceiling—an impressive feat, given the height. Nearby a family was taking pictures on a sleigh.

At the sight, he and Kaylee exchanged glances and quick grins.

“The spa first?”

She nodded. “A good idea. Before they close.”

They crossed to the far end of the hotel and took the stairs to the mezzanine. In contrast to the busyness of the public spaces, the spa level was a welcome oasis of calm, soft music, plants, and poinsettias.

While she browsed the shelves that were stocked with a dizzying array of bath products, he took care of picking up the bag containing his grandmother’s present. As for Kaylee’s gift card, he tucked that into his wallet.

After about twenty minutes, she settled on a prepackaged basket containing the hotel’s most popular products. Then she selected a candle with some purple-colored flowers crushed on the top.

The clerk packaged each in a rich black bag with gold lettering on the side and tied them with bright red bows.

“Satisfied?”

“Yes.” Enthusiastically she nodded. “These are perfect. Mom will love hers.”

“Is the other for you?”

She laughed. “No. I’d never pay that much for a candle for myself.”

Yet, with the way she’d lingered in the shop, inhaling scents, appreciating the various offerings, she clearly enjoyed finer things.

Frost wanted to be the man to spoil her in the way she deserved.

Back downstairs, the bar was hopping, but they were shown to a table close to a jazz trio.

Christmas had exploded all over here as well, with garland draped everywhere, including hanging from the light fixtures. In a glass holder, a candle burned on the table, a wreath of small pine cones surrounding it.

Less than thirty seconds after they were settled, a server stopped by wearing a Santa hat.

The Quarter’s party had been enough for Frost. But seeing Kaylee’s grins was its own reward.

While he opted for a whiskey, she selected a Sinful Christmas, which was the bar’s version of a White Russian, but heavy on cinnamon and other holiday spices.

In a surprisingly short amount of time, given how busy they were, the server returned with their beverages.

Frost lifted his glass to her while she picked up the stick of cinnamon that rested across the top of her glass and dropped it in her drink.

“Oh my God,” she said after her first sip. “With all that spice and cream, and the amount of alcohol, sinful is right.”

She took another drink before sliding it to the side. “Whew. That’s…potent.”

A loud group spilled into the place, so he angled his chair to be closer to her. “We could head to the dining room.”

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