Kings Plaza was bustling with last-minute shoppers as the holiday spirit started to seep into my pores. There was something so magical about the decorations and lights everywhere with people hurrying around in their hats and coats, trying to find that perfect gift for their loved one.

“Are you and Sean going to be able to make it to our party this weekend?” Myla asked as she eyed a gorgeous gold necklace with a pearl pendant in the window of Kay Jewelers.

I shook my head before sipping my steaming green tea latte. “We’re working the Marcie Mazzola Foundation charity concert at the Times Square main outdoor stage that night.”

Myla frowned as she sighed, leaving the stunning necklace. As she walked a few paces away, I snapped a picture and texted it to Gavin.

Me: Your wife was checking this out just now, just in case you need ideas.

Gavin: You’re a lifesaver, McBee. Tell Sean he needs to keep you around.

Me: Don’t worry, I tell him daily that you guys would be lost without me.

Gavin: Complete understatement. Thanks again.

Me: No problem

Myla sighed. “That freaking blows. I really wanted you guys to be there, maybe get you two stuck under the mistletoe.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sean Whistler is my partner and best friend—that is it.”

Myla spun on her heels to look at me. “The two of you would make the most adorable blue-eyed babies in the entire world! I just know it!”

I scoffed at her, grabbing her tiny shoulders to make her turn around and keep walking. “Trust me, he thinks of me as his kid sister.”

Myla rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, Jess. Is it at least going to be a good concert?”

I couldn’t help but feel giddy thinking about getting to work a benefit where two of my all-time favorite bands were going to be performing. “The Hysterics and Three Ugly Guys are going to be there, so I’m pretty stoked.”

“Damn, that is going to be an awesome show.” We made our way into Macy’s to find a new cologne for Gavin, the last item on our shopping list for the day. The smell from the different scents started to give me a headache as Myla looked around for the perfect fragrance for her man, finally settling on Beardbrand Spiced Citrus.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to get for Sean?” Myla asked as the sweet older attendant started to giftwrap her purchase in red and silver paper.

I shrugged. “I’m at a complete loss. Last year we gave each other meaningless gifts since we hadn’t known each other for too long yet, but this year I want to get him something better than just a gift card, ya know?”

Myla tapped her finger to her lips. “I’ll try to come up with something too. Maybe I can get Gavin and Jordan to help.”

I started to back away from the counter, muttering, “Thanks,” and bumped into another shopper behind me. “Sorry.” I whipped around and ran right into the broad chest of a tall man with stitches over his eye.

“No problem,” the man said, putting his hands on my shoulders to help steady my footing.

Myla narrowed her gaze. “Hey, weren’t you at The Cask and Barrel watching the Otters game the other night?”

The man’s face turned a million shades of red. “I thought you two looked familiar. Leave it to me to shit talk to the one guy in that bar who actually wasn’t all talk.”

I got lost in his deep brown eyes for a few seconds before trying to laugh off the situation. “Trust me, I’ve seen a lot worse.”

He laughed with me for a second. “Well, that’s a relief. I’m Vinnie, by the way. Thank you for helping me not get my ass handed to me the other night.”

“I’m Jessica, and stopping ass beatings is actually in my job description.” His eyes captivated me again while his smile whisked me off to la-la land.

“You’re not a cop, are you? I thought all lady cops were butch and had man hands.” His smile widened as I giggled nervously.

Myla cleared her throat. “Hi, I’m Myla.”

Fucking cock block.

“Don’t tell me you’re a cop too.” Vinnie shook her hand.

“No, just McBee over here, and I have to say, her hands are as far from manly as they come.”

I noticed him glance down at my gloved hands, and I felt self-conscious. For all I knew, I actually did have gross man hands. Being a police officer did take away a small portion of my femininity every once in a while, but that was only because I didn’t take shit from anyone and men could be sexist pigs from time to time.

“Anyway, glad to see you got your eye taken care of. Try to stay away from drunk jerks at bars.” I hooked my arm with Myla’s and started to walk away from him.

“Yeah, thanks,” he called out as I hurried us away.

Even though I had been a little mesmerized by the dreamy hothead for a split second, there was no way I would go near him with a damn ten-foot pole. He had just been booked at my station for drunk and disorderly and that was a tree this dog was not going to bark up, no matter how mouthwateringly attractive the squirrels were.

“That was a little strange,” Myla commented as we got close to the exit.

“Yeah, it could have been pretty awkward. Thanks for saving me back there.” It was true that in the moment, I was pretty frustrated with Myla jumping into the conversation, but at the end of the day, she had done the right thing—and, it was true that I really only had eyes for Sean. As wrong as that was, I just couldn’t help it.