"My wife and I religiously watchTheGreat Christmas Bake-Off," said the president of the center. "Come, let me take you on a tour of the theater if you're so inclined."
"I'd love to," I said, looking at Jack, who nodded.
The conductor bid us farewell, and the president took us around the theater, showing us the backstage area, explaining the various priceless art pieces displayed around the building, and taking us up to the roof to look out over the skyline.
"This was a perfect evening," I said to Jack, giving him a peck on the lips.
"It's not over yet," he said. He tilted my head up and kissed me like he meant it. When he drew back, it was like being in one of those old Dentine Ice commercials; I could see the steam in the air between us.
"What do you mean?" I said, a little breathless.
"I have a very fancy hotel booked."
"But who will take care of Milo?" I exclaimed. "He'll be all alone."
He looked at me a moment. "It's cute that you're so concerned about Milo. I have Liam coming to stay with him. I'm going to have you all to myself the rest of the night. And," he added thoughtfully, "tomorrow morning too."
I smiled at him. A car drove up, and he pulled me in beside him. It was decadent, riding in the back of a limo down Fifth Avenue. Jack poured me a small glass of champagne, but I barely touched it since we could barely keep our hands off each other for the duration of the ride.
The limo stopped, and the driver coughed loudly, then knocked on the partition.
"We're decent!" I called, hastily straightening my dress. Jack turned his laugh into a cough.
When Jack helped me out of the car, I saw we had arrived in front of a historic-looking hotel.
"Mr. Frost," the manager said, greeting us. "And…"
"My girlfriend," Jack said forcefully. I didn't know how to feel about that. He squeezed my hand. It was a bit presumptuous. But then, he was attractive, and this was a nice hotel.
"Here is your room," the manager said after we followed him to one of the top floors.
I gasped. The whole suite had been decorated for Christmas. Real garlands were draped everywhere, and there was even a tree that glittered with little white lights that reflected off the sparkling glass ornaments.
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "This is how I want to decorate your penthouse." There was a tray laid out with light snacks, and Jack poured us glasses of Prosecco.
"You don't have to cook," Jack said. "There's room service."
I giggled, and Jack gave me a confused look.
"You look so proud of yourself! This is amazing. And they have cookies." I laughed.
"Not as good as yours," Jack said.
"You like my cookies, Mr. Frost?" I said playfully, grabbing him by the nape of his neck and dragging him down to crush his mouth to mine.
48
Jack
Iwas so happy Chloe liked the room. It was a lot of Christmas for my taste, but it didn't come across as kitschy at least.
"I can't believe you did all this for me," she said. She hopped between kissing me, taking pictures, and exploring the excessively large suite.
"There's a whole living room with a piano!" she called out. "I can't believe this is a hotel suite. I haven't even found the bedroom."
I picked her up in my arms and kissed her. "Let me take you there." One of her shoes clunked to the floor as I walked her through the suite. "Nope, that’s not the bedroom." It was another small office.
Chloe was giggling.
