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

gives me a small smile. His green eyes are soft and warm.
    God, I ’ve missed him. I wish things had gone differently between us and that we could have been friends.
    “So how did you and Kara meet?” I ask when Kara stands back up and steps closer to Jacob’s side.
    “She was Brooke’s friend actually.” Jacob clears his throat and looks uncomfortably between the two of us. Hearing her name is like splashing me with cold water and bringing me back to reality. So many things I wish I could change.
    How strange it must have been for them since she was Brooke ’s friend. I wonder how that whole thing came about. She doesn’t look like she is as evil as Brooke. One look at Brooke and you would have sworn you were facing Medusa herself and feared that you would turn to stone. But Kara looks like she might have been an angel just sent down from heaven. Complete opposite to Brooke in every way.
    “I’m really sorry about your friend,” I offer my condolences to her. Even if I hate Brooke with a passion, Kara obviously would have cared about her.
    Kara smiles back, and I’m mesmerized by how beautiful she is. If there was ever a doubt in my mind why Jacob would want to be with her, I wouldn’t have it any longer after seeing her face unguarded.
    “Thank you. I know this is awkward for all of us, but you have a beautiful daughter and I’m really glad that I finally got a chance to meet you,” Kara says shyly and links her hand with Jacob’s. It’s clearly a show of support, and my heart squeezes for him. Instead of making this harder on him, she’s trying to make it easier. He found someone to soothe him, and it is obvious that they are meant to be together.
    “I’m so happy for the two of you…” My words die off when I notice the sparkler on her left hand. “And it looks like a congratulations is in order.”
    Kara looks at her hand and smil es. “Yes, thank you.”
    Jacob and her exchange a small, knowing look, and I feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I need to get out of here before these damn hormones take over, and I make a blubbering mess out of myself. I blink a few times to clear my eyes .
    “I better get going. I have to finish picking some stuff up before Tessa’s nap. It was really good to see you. Both of you,” I finish with a smile of my own.
    Jacob lets go of Kara’s hand and reaches out to hug me. At first, I’m taken aback by his show of affection, but I quickly shake it off and hug him back. In the back of my mind, I know it must be hard for Kara to watch us, but this moment is truly about us saying goodbye to each other. It’s us fully letting go of the past and all the mistakes that went along with it.
    “Take care,” he whispers in my ear, before stepping back and leading Kara away.
    I stand on the sidewalk and watch them walk into a jewelry store, before hustling to my car. When I get to the car, I sag against the side and breathe deeply in an attempt to calm my riotous emotions. I’m so damn happy for Jacob, and I finally feel like that part of my life is where it should be.
     
    ***
     
    Kara
     
    Walking into the jewelry store to pick out our wedding rings, Jacob puts his hand on my lower back and leads me to the counter.
    “Good afternoon. What can I help you with?” The nice, older lady asks from behind the counter.
    “We’re looking for wedding bands,” Jacob answers her, never taking his hand from my back. I’m not sure how he knows I need the contact, especially after seeing his ex, but I’m grateful that he does.
    What are the chances we run into Samantha on our way to pick out wedding bands? Seriously.
    “Anything in particular? Yellow gold, white gold, platinum, titanium?” The lady moves over to a display case, and we follow.
    “Platinum for her and I guess titanium for me,” Jacob shrugs. He is such a man. I know he doesn’t care what goes on his finger as long as it’s manly and doesn’t turn his finger green. He told me so just last night after