Their Merry Little Christmas (Love Square) by Jessica Ingro Page A

one, that witch grabbed it from my hand.” I cradle my cell phone between my chin and shoulder as I situate my packages in the stroller.
    “Was it actually in your hands or was it still on the shelf?” Michelle asks with a serious tone to her voice.
    “What difference does it make?” I reply, while walking down the strip mall towards the photography studio, where I parked my Tahoe. After I drop off these bags in the car, I need to pick up the last of Aiden’s gifts.
    “It makes a big difference actually. If it was off the shelf and fully in your hands, then she stole it from you. But if the box was still resting on the shelf and you both grabbed it at the same time, then it was ‘may the best woman win’ territory.”
    “I don’t really know,” I grumble, pissed that if what she says is true, then I probably shouldn’t have chased the woman down and stolen the Elmo out of her cart when she wasn’t looking.
    “Oh my God! You are such a bitch! You stole that poor woman’s Christmas present!” Michelle hoots into the phone, knowing full well what my silence says.
    “I… I have to call you back…” My voice stutters and trails off as I hang up the phone on Michelle. It immediately starts ringing so I push the button to send her straight to voicemail.
    I watch in astonishment as Jacob and a redheaded beauty walk hand-in-hand down the stri p. His eyes are shining and happy as he tugs on her arm to stop her forward progression. He reaches up and tucks her hair behind her ear, before leaning down and brushing his lips against hers. The woman leans into him, placing her hand on his chest and curling her fingers into the lapel of his jacket.
    My steps falter, and tears prick the back of my eyes. My heart begins to break at the sight of the two of them. It ’s not that I want Jacob for myself. I’m happy and in love with Aiden. It’s just a total shock to see him so obscenely happy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look the way he does now, as I watch him whisper into her ear.
    They start walking again, right towards me. But I ’m still stuck in place, grieving over the loss of a love that it turns out, I never really had.
    When I realize that there is nowhere for me to hide, I begin to panic. I don ’t know if I can handle seeing them together. The very thought of meeting this mystery woman, scares me.
    It ’s been at least a year and a half since I saw Jacob last. I sent him away after learning about Aiden and Brooke’s deceit, and the difference is night and day. I wanted him to find a woman who would make him happy, I just didn’t realize that I never actually made him happy. Not even one iota as much as this person does. It’s plain to see.
    Jacob is visibly startled when he sees me standing in the middle of the sidewalk, staring. He looks worriedly at the redhead, before walking over to me.
    “Hi, Sam. I’d like to introduce you to Kara,” he says, wrapping his arm around Kara’s waist. “Kara, this is Sam.”
    Kara gives me a tight lipped smile before extending her arm to shake my hand. I mentally note that she has a nice handshake. I can ’t stand women with limp handshakes.
    “She’s gotten big,” Jacob notes, gesturing to Tessa in her stroller.
    “She’s almost two years old now. It feels like yesterday that she was placed in my arms for the first time,” I say wistfully.
    “Sam, is this your daughter?” Kara asks while giving Tessa a genuine smile.
    “It is. Say hi, Tessa.”
    “Hi,” Tessa’s little voice squeaks out, and Kara bends her knees and squats in front of the stroller to talk to her.
    “How are you?” Jacob’s deep voice shakes my very core. I turn my attention to him, seeing how he is studying me intently.
    “I’m really good. How are you?”
    He glances at Kara with a soft look and then turns back to me. “I’m really good too.”
    “You look happy and settled,” I say softly, trying to keep our conversation as quiet as possible.
    He nods his head and