The driver dropped me off at the intersection of Clay Avenue & Claremont Pkwy.  As I crossed the street, it felt like I was walking onto the set of a Hallmark holiday classic movie. Red and green booths decorated with wreaths and garland lined Clay Avenue. Strings of warm, white Christmas lights crisscrossed the street casting a soft glow on everything below. The crisp winter air was filled with the smells of roasted chestnuts, fresh cut pine, and gingerbread. Mingled with the soft murmur of the crowd were the sounds of carolers, a guitar player strumming silent night, and I swear, I even heard sleigh bells.

The festivities at the street fair started over an hour ago. I’d wanted to come earlier, but worried that Emily would toss me out. Now that there was a crowd, she wouldn’t make a scene. She’d be forced to play nice, and we could finally talk.

I drifted up the street, avoiding strollers and young kids running up and down the path, looking for Emily. I finally found her by the small bonfire, attempting to get a group of teenagers to sing along with some Christmas carols. She was bundled up in a heavy winter coat, her wild hair hidden under a stocking cap. The cold air had made her cheeks and nose rosey. I wanted to pull her into my arms and warm her up, but I held back, watching as she gently encouraged the rag-tag group of kids as they attempted another song.

“How about Winter Wonderland?” she asked.

“We don’t know that one,” an older girl said. “We can do Jingle Bells again?”

“We’ve already sung it twice. Are you sure you don’t know any other songs? O Come All Ye Faithful? The Christmas Song?”

She sang the first line about chestnuts and open fires. Her voice was clear and sweet. I closed my eyes and let the sound wash over me. How come I didn’t know she could sing like that?

Because you really didn’t know that much about her.

“Why don’t you sing something, Ms. Emily? What about that song about the king and the snow that you’ve been humming all week?”

“I’m not sure I remember all the words,” she said, scrunching her nose. “Let me see…”

She took a deep breath. “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen. When the snow lay round about deep and crisp and even. Um… something, something, something.  When a poor man came in sight gath'ring winter fuel.” She laughed. “Sorry guys, I probably should have brought a songbook. I’m not sure anyone knows the rest of that song.”

Ben appeared out of the crowd and joined her, singing the second verse. “When the good king asked his page who is outside calling? Does he have a place to stay while the snow is falling?”

“How do you know that song?”

He held his hands up, shrugging. “Catholic school and four years of choir in high school.”

Emily laughed again and gave him a hug.

“I’m glad you came after all. Four years of choir you say? Maybe you can whip these kids into shape. They’re supposed to be my carolers, but they only know jingle bells.”

That fucking prick. I knew he wasn’t being honest. Despite all the messages he left, assuring me there was nothing going on, I knew Ben wouldn’t hesitate to steal my girlfriend. He couldn’t help himself. He had no boundaries.

And that was exactly why I didn’t want Emily hanging out with him. She didn’t get it. It’s not that I didn’t trust her. It was that jackass—the one with his arm around my girl—I didn’t trust.

I wanted to pound the shit out of my so-called friend, but that hadn’t gone over very well last time. This time I was going to be smart about it. I had an advantage he didn’t. Emily was still my girlfriend—at least in public.

“Sorry, I’m late, Baby,” I said. I stepped between the two of them and pulled her into my arms for a kiss.

She stiffened in my arms, but the second our lips touched, she melted. Her arms slid around my neck, pulling me down. I angled my head, seeking to deepen the kiss. Fuck. I missed the feel of her in my arms. She didn’t resist as I pulled her closer. Her scent surrounded me, and I tasted chocolate and peppermint on her lips. Sweet and a little spicy just like her.

I barely registered the sounds of the kids whooping and egging us on until she pulled back.

“Get a room.”

“Man, he’s really into her.”

“You go, Miss E. He’s hot.”

Emily blushed and stepped back. “Cooper. I was just… I…” She shook her head and glanced around. “Why don’t you guys go see if Tony needs any help?”

Within seconds, all the kids scattered. All of them, but Mica, a young boy I’d met over a month ago at the shelter. It seemed like a lifetime had passed.

Mica approached us, arms crossed. “Hey, I thought you were going to give me some pointers. You totally ghosted on me.”

I glanced at Emily, who had a smug I told you so look. I wasn’t getting any help from her.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve been really busy, but I promise to make it up to you. How would you and a couple of your friends like to come down to the stadium and practice there?”

“At the stadium?” Mica asked, perking up. But just as quickly, his shoulders dropped, and he shot me a guarded look. “Are you sure you’re not too busy? A big star like you and all probably doesn’t have time for me.”

Who knew being judged by a kid would feel so bad? I’d broken a promise, and I had no credibility where this kid was concerned. “I get it. You don’t trust me, but I promise this time. Nothing will stop me. We can’t do it right away. Between Christmas and New Year’s, a lot of the staff is off next week. But in January, before I leave for spring training. We’ll make a day of it.”

“Whatever.” He pushed his way past me, and I felt like a complete jerk.

“I don’t think that kid believed you,” Ben said.

“Thank you, captain obvious,” I bit back.

“Captain? So is that an official military title or just a ceremonial one?”

I turned and glared at him. “What are you even doing here? And why did you have your arm around Emily? I thought I made it very clear. She’s mine.”

“And I thought I made it clear; I don’t belong to you.” Emily shook her head and stepped back. “I don’t have time to deal with this. I need to check on…” She looked over her shoulder as if she was looking for an exit from a burning building. “I’m sure something needs my attention.”

She disappeared into the crowd, and I turned to chase after her, but Ben stopped me.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Ben asked.

“You. You’re my problem.” I yanked my arm away. “I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from my woman?”

“Do you even hear yourself? We’ve been friends for a long time, and I’ve never seen you act like this—talk to a woman the way you’ve talked to Emily. I’m surprised she hasn’t tossed your ass to the curb.”

“My relationship with Emily is none of your business,” I said and tried to walk away, but Ben stepped in my path.

“I know it’s not my business, but I like her. And—”

“I fucking knew it. I’m not going to let you take her without a fight.”

“There. That’s what I’m talking about. Do you have any idea how big of a jerk you sound like when you say things like that? You might as well just whip it out and piss all over her. You’re treating her like property. She’s not an object you can own.”

“I know that,” I said, feeling off balance by the turn in the conversation. “I’m just making sure you know she’s off limits.”

“Trust me, I got the message,” he said, rubbing his chin. “But even if I didn’t, you shouldn’t tell her you think she’s cheating on you every time I’m around.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“That’s exactly what you said. It was pretty clear to me. Didn’t you see the look on her face?” He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I know we’ve gone after the same women before, but I realize Emily is different. I promise you, I’m not trying to take her. I think she’s smart and driven. I think what she does for the community is admirable. And yes, I think she’s sexy as fuck. But she’s in love with you, and you’re head over heels in love with her.’’

“You think she’s in love with me?”

“Yes, but hell if I know what she sees in you. Go after her. Apologize. Beg forgiveness. Because if you screw this up and she dumps your ass, you better believe I’m going to give it a shot.”

“Over my dead body. No, fuck that, over your dead body.”

I looked out over the crowd, one of the advantages to being overgrown, and spotted Emily’s red stocking cap ducking between two booths. Even though I’d never admit it to Ben, I knew he was right. There was just something about her that brought out my inner caveman.

If I was going to win her back before New Year’s Eve, I had to step up my game. Because she was worth the effort.