High Heels and Holidays by Kasey Michaels Read Free Book Online

I slept through most of it. But what did your motley crew do, Alex?”
    â€œIn point of fact, Bernice, they were the source of some important information.”
    â€œYeah, Bernie, remember? Mary Louise and company are the ones who filled us in on Nikki Campion’s connections here in New York. Okay, so they helped. What are you planning for them, Alex? I should contribute, too.”
    He had the devil in his eyes as he said, “I had thought new automobiles would be welcome.”
    Maggie knew Alex was trying to get a rise out of her, just so he could point out how frugal she was, and she decided to play along. “ Cars ? Are you nuts? Do you have any idea what that would cost?”
    Alex smiled at Bernie. “I thought that would rattle her cage, as you Americans say. But relax, Maggie, I only wanted to see how committed you are to the project.”
    â€œI’d have to be committed before I’d agree to three new cars. But, now that I’ve made you happy by playing your straight man, what you’re really saying is that you haven’t a single idea what to get them and you need my help, right? Without coming right out and asking for it, of course.”
    â€œI am as a pane of glass to you, my dear, aren’t I? But I’ve already stepped out and purchased a rather lovely necklace for Mary Louise—a single small diamond teardrop on a silver chain. As befits a young woman. Understated elegance, which is what I’ve been attempting to impress on Mary Louise, and I’m happy to say that she only wears two earrings in each ear these days, which I see as a major accomplishment on her part. But suitable gifts for George and Vernon? I fear I must admit defeat there. I’m much more used to buying baubles for the ladies.”
    Maggie took a sip of soda, and then reluctantly nodded her agreement. The Viscount Saint Just was always dropping diamonds or rubies in the laps of the women he then replaced with other women, the cad. And yet the readers loved him. If her fictional creation ever fell in love and got married, the series would tank in a heartbeat. “Okay, I see the problem. What do you buy for a Snake and a Killer?”
    â€œThey’ve left those unfortunate appellations behind them, Maggie, as well you know, just as they have abandoned their, shall we say, innocently nefarious ways. They answer strictly to Vernon and George now, and strive daily to raise themselves above their more unfortunate beginnings.”
    Mary Louise and Snake and Killer had been the very first people Alex had encountered in New York, and Mary Louise had, for a price, supplied Alex and Sterling with counterfeited identification—just one of the many things Maggie knew but kept trying to erase from her memory. Now Mary Louise was posing with Alex for Fragrances By Pierre while attending college, and Snake and Killer had gone straight, or maybe just weren’t as crooked as they used to be. Only in America....
    â€œAnd now they’re your business partners in the Street Corner Orators and Players, doling out sage advice and heartfelt sermons on the sad state of the world. Right. Like I could forget. I know—why not put both of them up for the Nobel Peace Prize?”
    Bernie sat with her chin in her hand. “You two fascinate me. I’ve never met two people more suited to either becoming lovers or killing each other,” she said, and then sniffed. “I passed one of your street corner orators on the way over here, Alex. He had quite a crowd around him, too. I only caught a few words. What’s today’s message? Crass commercialism in Christmas?”
    Alex smiled. “Why go with the obvious, Bernice? No, today’s message is a rather lovely description of Manhattan in June. The park, the flowers, the street performers, the children frolicking, trips to the ballparks to see the Mets or the Yankees, et cetera. Nostalgia on a cold, snowy day. I’m