They head to Veronica's store.

The hotel staff and guests stopped in their tracks to gawk at the statuesque redhead hanging off of Ryan's arm. The young archaeologist felt like he was back in high school as the science nerd who scored a prom date with the head cheerleader -- he wanted to flaunt off to everyone that Marlissa was with him.

They drove into the small downtown core and had no trouble finding Veronica's clothing store, Boutique D'Auberge. Ryan, raised as a gentleman by his British-born mother, opened the doors to the car and store for his wife and Marlissa glided in with the grace of a prima ballerina.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?" a young blonde salesclerk greeted them.

"We are looking for Veronica," Marlissa answered with a warm smile, looking at the clerk's name tag.

"Ms. Auberge is at the back room," the clerk said. "Whom may I ask is looking for her?"

"Samantha," Marlissa replied with her adopted alias name.

"I'll be right back."

"Thank you, Katie," Marlissa said while she looked at some clothes on a rack.

"Samantha!" Veronica cried out in excitement as she came out from the back with Katie. The brunette hugged Marlissa and the two gave each other light kisses on the cheeks. Veronica hugged Ryan and whispered in his ear, "Thank you again for last night."

"My pleasure," Ryan responded with a grin.

"As my new friends you'll get a special discount on everything the store!" Veronica said.

"Everything?" Marlissa gasped, her eyes widened at the thought of a new wardrobe.

"Everything your husband's credit card can handle," Veronica replied, winking at Ryan.

Marlissa looked at him with big puppy dog eyes, silently begging him. Ryan nodded -- he may not have made much as a field research archaeologist but he had a big trust fund from his late grandfather.

Veronica took Marlissa by the hand to give her tour the store and Ryan followed the two women like an obedient dog. He carried dresses, skirts, blouses, and stockings Veronica and Marlissa selected, bringing them to the change room. His servitude was rewarded with Marlissa modeling in skimpy outfits. He sat uncomfortably on the chair, not wanting to stand up lest revealing his strained erection to the women.

"You should be a model, honey," Ryan said, examining every perfect curve of Marlissa's body as she displayed a skintight little black dress.

"I'm surprised you're not a model, Sam," Veronica noted. "I would if I had your body!"

"I am just a housewife," Marlissa replied innocently.

"Well, I have suppliers in New York. I can pull some strings to get you to meet my old modeling agent," Veronica said. "Besides, it'll give me an excuse to go!"

"May we go to New York, love?" Marlissa turned to Ryan, pleading with her emerald eyes.

"Sure, why not? I can't say no to you," he replied.

"Thank you!" Marlissa bent down to kiss him.

"Perhaps we could meet my parents while we're there," Ryan said, looking away sheepishly. Marlissa sensed something was wrong but didn't want to ask her husband in front of Veronica.

Even with Veronica's generous discount the clothing were still expensive designer labels, Ryan winced when Katie rang up the total at the cash register. However, Marlissa's smile and kiss dismissed any second thoughts he had on returning her new wardrobe.

"My father has a private jet so we can arrive in New York in an hour or so," Veronica said while helping Katie place Marlissa's new clothes in shopping bags.

"I'm not sure about leaving my Jeep here," Ryan remarked. "Besides, it's less than half a day's drive to Manhattan."