Page 75 of Falling for the Grinchy Bad Boy

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JOY

“You guys were amazing!” I said.

Katrina was taking a selfie with her blue ribbon. “Thanks. Nailed it in the end. Never count out a couple of firefighters.”

“Seriously, that transformation from disaster to masterpiece was incredible to watch.”

Cooper looked almost embarrassed by my enthusiasm, but there was a pleased smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It was a team effort. Good problem-solving all around.”

“Oh, stop being so modest.” Katrina laughed, bumping her brother’s shoulder. “You totally took charge once you had the dalmatian idea. I haven’t seen you get that excited about something in, well, in a long time.”

Cooper’s cheeks reddened slightly. Whether from the cold or his sister’s teasing, I couldn’t tell. But there had been something wonderful about watching him let his guard down and seeing him get genuinely invested in the silly snow sculpture. It was like glimpsing the person he might be when he wasn’t constantly worried about everyone else’s safety and well-being.

“You should take this back to the firehouse,” I suggested, gesturing to the ribbon. “Show it off to the guys. I bet they’ll get a kick out of knowing their safety officer won a snowman contest.”

“Snow dog contest,” Cooper corrected automatically.

I bit back a smile at how seriously he took the distinction.

“Right, snow dog contest. Even better.”

“That’s actually a great idea,” Katrina agreed. “Chief would love to see this displayed in the station. He’s always saying we need more community spirit in there.”

“We should definitely take this back to show everyone,” Matt said. “Maybe get a photo for the bulletin board.”

The idea of Cooper posing with a snow dog for a firehouse photo was so endearing that I had to press my lips together to keep from grinning too obviously. I was pretty sure it was his version of hell. But he wasn’t shooting down.

“Oh my God, you guys, I can smell the pork chop stand from here,” Katrina said suddenly, her head turning toward the food vendors like a bloodhound catching a scent. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast, and if I don’t get a pork chop on a stick soon, I might actually die.”

“Dramatic much?” Cooper asked dryly, but his expression was fond. “It’s literally just a pork chop with a skewer through it.”

“It’s a medical emergency is what it is,” she insisted, already backing away from our group. “Pork chops are eighty percent more delicious when served on a skewer. It’s a real thing. Look it up.”

“I don’t think that’s accurate,” Cooper started, but she was already hurrying away, calling over her shoulder that she’d catch up with us later.

Matt chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s not wrong about those pork chops, though. Bob makes them with some kind of special seasoning. They’re legendary. I mean, they’re no turkey legs, but they’re damn good.” He glanced at his watch. “Actually, I should get to the station. I’m pulling a double today.”

“I’ll see you later,” Cooper said.

“Thanks for a great afternoon, guys,” Matt said, already backing away. “Joy, this was a brilliant idea. Cooper, try to have a little more fun, would you?”

And then it was just Cooper and me, standing in the middle of the bustling town square with the sounds of laughter and conversation swirling around us.

And now it was weird.

“So,” I said, suddenly aware that we were alone together for the first time since a few nights ago. “What do you say we do a loop around the event? Make sure everything’s running smoothly?”

Cooper’s expression shifted subtly, settling back into his professional mode. It gave him something to focus on, easing the tension between us. “Good idea. I should check in with the vendors anyway. See if anyone needs anything.”

“Sounds like you just want a pork chop,” I teased.

He shook his head with a slight smile. “I’m all for fair food, but I’ll never understand Kat’s obsession with them. It’s just a damn pork chop.”

We started walking, falling into an easy rhythm as we moved along the booths. The festival was in full swing now. A few families were adding some finishing touches to their snowmen. Couples young and old were browsing the craft vendors. Kids were running around with hot chocolate and rosy cheeks.

“So what’s your food of choice at the festival?” I asked.