Page 53 of Falling for the Grinchy Bad Boy

What did that mean?

Was there a chance for us?

“So,” Katrina said once she’d gotten her coffee and ordered the daily special. “Are you two ready for the snowman building contest on Saturday?”

I couldn’t help but grin at Katrina’s enthusiasm. “I’m so excited about the snowman contest! I’ve been planning the registration process and prize categories all week.”

“And I’ve been planning how to keep people from getting hypothermia,” Cooper said dryly, taking a sip of his coffee. “Three hours outside in December weather building snowmen? Might as well set up a frostbite treatment station while we’re at it.”

Katrina rolled her eyes. “You’re such a pessimist. It’s going to be fun!”

“Fun until someone’s fingers turn black and fall off,” he muttered, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“What about the living nativity scene?” I asked, pulling out my phone to check my notes. “I confirmed the animals yesterday—two sheep, a goat, and a donkey from the Miller farm.”

“Perfect,” Cooper said, his expression turning serious again. “Good thing I know how to treat a donkey bite. Those things can be vicious when they’re stressed.”

I laughed despite myself. “You’re impossible. They’re the gentlest animals on the farm. I met them personally.”

“Famous last words,” he said, but his eyes were twinkling now. “You’d be surprised what people will do around animals they think are ‘safe’ because they’re in a nativity scene. Donkeys bite, goats ram, and sheep are stronger than they look.”

“These are petting zoo animals,” I insisted. “It’ll be fine.”

“What’s next on your list of potentially dangerous holiday activities?”

“Well, I was thinking about lining Main Street with those tall standing heaters to keep people warm while they’re shopping at the market booths,” I said, scrolling through my phone. “Create these cozy warm zones where families can gather.”

Cooper nearly choked on his coffee. “Might as well line the street with explosives. You know how many accidents happen with portable heaters? Especially around crowds of people in winter coats?”

I burst out laughing at his horrified expression. “You are such a pain in the ass,” I said, shaking my head. “But honestly, I appreciate it. I’m all for keeping everyone safe and happy, even if it means dealing with your paranoia.”

“It’s not paranoia if the dangers are real,” he protested, but there was no real fight in his words.

Katrina looked between us with obvious amusement. “You know what? You two actually make a decent team. Joy’s wild creative energy is perfectly counterbalanced by Cooper’s obsessive safety concerns.”

Heat crept up my neck at her observation. The way she said it made us sound like, well, like a couple. Like two people who complemented each other in all the right ways.

I glanced at Cooper to see if he’d caught the implication and found him studying me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Something warm and considering that made my stomach flutter.

“I prefer to think of my advice as ‘thorough safety planning’ rather than ‘obsessive,’” he said. “But ultimately, we all want the same thing. A fun and safe celebration for the town.”

Our food arrived, and Katrina kept the conversation flowing between bites, running through the weekend’s schedule with enthusiasm.

“Speaking of the snowman contest, you two should enter the snowman contest together,” Katrina casually said. “I bet you’d win most creative.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I started, but Cooper surprised me.

“Why not?” he said, his mouth quirking up in what was almost a smile. “Someone needs to make sure Joy doesn’t get frostbite.”

My heart did something acrobatic in my chest. “Are you volunteering to be my snowman building partner?”

“Someone has to keep you out of trouble,” he replied.

He acted like it was a chore, but I was certain I was picking up on some affection. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. Whatever the case, I liked it.

“Really?” I asked. I ignored the fact my voice had gone a little higher.

Katrina clapped her hands together. “Do it! Remember that time when we were in… I think fifth grade. We built that massive snowman and Cooper had to lift you up on his shoulders to put the head on?”