Our next stop was a Christmas tree lot. I picked three of the largest, fullest blue spruces I could find.
"Do you have garland as well?" I asked the seller.
"Yes, miss," he said, loading up several bags’ worth. "Have in-laws to impress?"
"Ha!" I laughed. "I’m just decorating for a TV show."
He strapped the trees onto the cars, and we loaded up the boxes of garland. I was turning Frost Tower into a winter wonderland, and Jack the Grinch could suck on a candy cane.
6
Jack
Ipulled one of the prepared meals out of my fridge. I had a personal chef make them, but it wasn't as if he had them waiting for me whenever I wanted. He made them every few days, packaged them, and had them delivered to my penthouse. It was convenient and probably better than takeout every night. I dumped one of the containers on a plate and heated it up. Milo whined for food as I ate standing up at the kitchen counter. It wasn't that enjoyable, but it was energy.
Speaking of energy, Milo looked like he needed another walk. Huskies had an insane amount of energy. They probably shouldn't be kept in cities, but Belle had given him to me a few Christmases before she left, and there was no way I was letting the dog out of my sight, let alone sending him off to the suburbs.
Milo was happy to run around in the park, and he was tired but content on the walk back to Frost Tower. As we approached the lobby, I saw a caravan of cars pull up.
"What on earth?" I muttered.
As I approached the entrance, I saw Chloe and Nina chatting to the drivers. They were unloading bags and boxes and carrying them inside.
"What is all this?" I demanded, hurrying into the lobby.
"Christmas decorations," Chloe said. Her cheeks were rosy, and she was wearing a red coat with a fur hood. She looked cuddly, and I just wanted to scoop her up and snuggle her. I shook my head. Clearly the stress of the financial situation of my tower was affecting me.
Milo head-butted Chloe, wagging his tail and acting like she was his long lost-friend.
"You're the worst guard dog," I told him as Chloe and Nina petted and cooed over my husky. I watched helplessly as the drivers finished unloading the cars and propped the Christmas trees up in the lobby.
Yes, trees. Plural.
"Who needs three Christmas trees?" I said in disbelief.
"This space does," Chloe said, giving Milo one last pat.
"Those need to go in water," one of the men helping to move the boxes inside told us, pointing to the trees.
"Right."
Chloe looked at me.
"What?"
"Aren't you going to tip them?" she asked.
I slipped the men a few twenty-dollar bills while Chloe and Nina started rummaging through their purchases.
"I hope this didn't cost an arm and a leg," I said.
Chloe handed me the credit card and a wad of receipts then gave me a slightly guilty smile.
"It's for a good cause," she said.
"Is it?"
"Now you'll have a lobby full of holiday cheer!"
