Page 23 of Winter Break Up

When I round the corner, a young mother is trying to assess the price tag of a five-foot tree, and two little girls run circles around her legs while almost falling to the snowy ground.

“Can I help you with something?” I make my presence known, and the woman turns around.

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry. They’re just off the wall today and my husband is at work. This is the only day this month I can get out to get a tree, so of course, they probably sense it and are acting out.”

She gives her girls a stern look, but the older one is currently trying to hit the younger one in the face with a branch.

Kneeling down, I put on my best “I’m your friend” smile.

“What are your names, beautiful girls?”

One of the little girls dashes behind her mom’s legs while the other all but pounces on me.

“I’m Haley, and that’s Joelle. She’s still a baby, so she’s shy, but I’m not afraid of anything. Not even the dark!” Her toothless grin and explanation have me chuckling.

“Well, it’s good to meet you, Haley. I’m Mercer, and I’m still a little afraid of the dark. Now, what’s the problem? Are you making it hard for your mom to pick out a Christmas tree?”

The little girl rolls her eyes, and I have to bite back a belly laugh because, damn, she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s just so boring. They all look the same, and there aren’t even lights on them or presents underneath!”

“Didn’t Mom tell you?” I look up at her mother and wink, and the woman mouths a relieved thank you. “You have to help pick the tree and be on your best behavior, because Santa is actually watching right now. He only brings presents to put under the tree you pick if you help Mom.”

Haley’s mouth forms a little o, and then she stands up straighter as she whispers, “Do you think Santa knows what I want?”

“Did you write him a letter?” I whisper back.

She nods her head emphatically. “I told him I want a dollhouse, and then a princess dress-up set, and some new games on my tablet, and a blanket with strawberries on it, and …”

Haley keeps naming gifts, but I notice a shift out of the corner of my eye.

“I want a tea set.” Joelle comes out with a guarded look on her face.

“I used to love playing tea with my dolls.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Emily standing there, smiling down at the little girl. She’s fresh-faced and glowing, and all I want is a moment alone with her. The way she’s looking at me while I talk to these little girls doesn’t escape my notice, and my desire to kiss her is so overwhelming I have to bite down on my tongue.

“Can we help you pick a tree?” Emily directs her attention to the mother.

“That would be so helpful.” She nearly weeps.

“Can you give me a piggyback ride?” Haley asks me out of nowhere.

Looking to her mom for confirmation it’s okay, she nods, and I turn so she can climb on.

“Joelle, would you like a ride as well?”

“Will you carry me?” she asks shyly.

I flourish my hands like I’m their butler or something. “At your service, madams.”

Both girls giggle, and now I’m hunkered down in little giggling girls who are both strangling me and pulling my hair at the same time.

Emily and their mother walk alongside each other as I hear Em explain each kind of tree and its pros and cons to her. Every few seconds, the girl I’ve loved since we were teenagers looks back and gets this dopey smile on her face, watching me with Haley and Joelle.

“Do you want a princess crown?” Haley interrupts the silent conversation Em and I are having.

“Of course. What colors you got?” I play along.

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