Three Kisses, One Christmas

Chapter 1.

The air is biting cold, sharper than it has been in weeks. Snowflakes swirl around me as I walk slowly down the street, hands shoved deep into my coat pockets, shoulders hunched against the chill. I tug my scarf tighter, willing it to shield me from the relentless wind.

It’s Christmas Eve.

I glance up at the lampposts, each strung with twinkling lights, their glow barely visible against the thick blanket of gray clouds hanging overhead. The little shops lining the street are decorated with wreaths and garlands. People bustle in and out of stores, laughing and chatting, lost in the holiday cheer that seems to infect the whole town. But not me.

I’m not in the mood for Christmas. Not after everything that’s happened. Not since Mom’s death. Not since the guy I thought I was going to be with forever found someone else, someone who wasn’t so… broken.

I sigh, kicking a small pile of snow off my path as I continue walking, past the snowmen, past the twinkling lights, past everything that screams “Merry Christmas” at me. People laugh, hug, kiss under mistletoe.

The one thing I know for sure? I will not be kissing anyone tonight.

I shake my head, trying to push away the thoughts of Luke—the guy who once made me believe in the fairy tales. Who had me thinking maybe, just maybe, I was worth loving. Until I wasn’t. Until the day he found his “true mate,” and I found myself alone again. That was a month ago, right before Thanksgiving, and I haven’t heard from him since. Not that I’ve been waiting by my phone, obviously. It’s not like I care anymore, right?

I pull my coat tighter around me, shivering not just from the cold.

I pass the small café where I usually go to drown my thoughts in hot chocolate and a book, but today, I don’t even have the energy to go inside. The last thing I want is to hear cheery Christmas music and see couples holding hands, eyes locked on each other, sharing smiles that make me feel like I’m the only one in the world not fitting in.

Instead, I turn the corner, heading toward the high school.

It’s weird. I know. But somehow, the school grounds always seem quieter at night. The building looms ahead, darkened windows reflecting the twinkling lights from the street. I walk across the icy courtyard, my boots crunching against the snow.

I pull the door open, greeted by the familiar smell of old textbooks and the faint remnants of whatever scent the janitor uses to mop the floors. The high school is empty now, the holiday break in full swing. The Christmas party was held yesterday, and I didn’t go. Why would I? I never really fit in with the popular crowd, and after Luke… well, let’s just say I was better off avoiding the awkwardness. Besides, I wasn’t exactly in the mood for dancing anyway.

I’m alone. Always alone.

I make my way down the hall, the echo of my footsteps bouncing off the walls, and I push open the door to the gymnasium. The sight hits me like a punch to the gut.

Banners drape from the walls, and strings of fairy lights twinkle from every corner. The Christmas tree stands proudly in the center of the gym, sparkling with ornaments and tinsel. The bleachers are covered in a sea of coats and scarves. But it’s the dancers that get to me.

Couples. Everywhere.

Liam, the quiet hockey player, is spinning around the floor with his girlfriend, Madison. They laugh, their movements graceful and synchronized. He’s always been one of those people who just seems to have it all together—athletic, charming, and popular. Even his friends adore him.

Across the room, Alex, the rebellious biker, is swaying with his latest fling, Grace. His laugh cuts through the music, loud and carefree. He’s fun, always up for a good time, always the center of attention. He has that reckless spark in his eyes that makes people gravitate toward him.

And then there’s Nathan, the lawyer-in-the-making, standing in the corner with his long-term girlfriend, Violet. They’re holding hands, their heads bent together, whispering softly to each other. Nathan has that calm, collected demeanor that always makes him seem too perfect to be true. Smart, caring, and always in control.

And me? I’m here. Alone. Watching.

I sigh, feeling the familiar weight of loneliness settle over me like a thick, suffocating blanket. My heart aches, but not for what I want anymore—because I know better than to wish for things that will never come.

The sound of laughter behind me makes me turn my head, and I almost choke.

It’s the triplets.

Liam, Alex, and Nathan Steele.

They’re standing by the bleachers, looking effortlessly cool in their jackets and jeans. Despite the overwhelming presence of the Christmas lights and festive decorations, they make the scene feel oddly… subdued. Like their casual, almost aloof demeanor doesn’t quite match the holiday cheer.

I try to look away, but it’s like my eyes are magnetized to them. Especially to Liam.

Of course, Liam.

He’s the one who catches my eye, his blue gaze locking with mine across the room. A flicker of recognition passes between us, and I quickly look away, hoping he didn’t notice the way my heart just skipped a beat.

I don’t need to be thinking about him. Not now. Not ever.

Not when I’m already emotionally tangled in all the crap from my past.

“You okay?” a voice breaks me from my thoughts.

I whip my head around to see my best friend, Katie, standing next to me. She’s dressed in a red sweater, her hair perfectly styled in soft curls, and she’s holding a cup of something hot. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Just... thinking,” I mutter, forcing a smile.

Katie narrows her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to join us? The dance floor looks empty. You can’t tell me you’re not even a little tempted.”

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, the music changes, and a familiar voice rings out from across the gym.

“Debby!” It’s Alex, waving at me from the bleachers, his mischievous grin plastered on his face. “Come on, don’t be shy. Join the fun!”

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the flutter of nervousness that fills my stomach. Alex has this way of getting under my skin, but I can’t quite explain why. Maybe it’s his carefree attitude or his cocky grin that always seems to put me on edge.

Katie nudges me in the ribs. “Go on, he’s calling you. What’s the harm?”

I hesitate. What harm indeed? I’m alone anyway. Might as well make the most of it.

I’m halfway to the bleachers when I feel someone brush past me. I look up, and there he is.

Liam.

He’s standing right there, his blue eyes locked onto mine, his lips curling up into a soft smile.

“Debby,” he says softly, his voice warm despite the chilly air. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

I swallow, my heart hammering in my chest. He smells like winter air and fresh pine, like everything I’ve been avoiding. “I wasn’t planning to stay long,” I mumble, feeling ridiculously self-conscious.

“You should,” he says, his smile widening. “You’re missing all the fun.”

I laugh weakly, not sure if he’s joking or if he’s being serious. “I think I’m good,” I say, feeling more out of place than ever.

The next thing I know, Alex’s voice rings out again. “Hey, Debs! You’re under the mistletoe!”

I glance up, realizing with a sinking feeling that I’ve wandered directly beneath the mistletoe hanging above the bleachers. Of course, the one time I’m not looking for it, there it is.

Katie nudges me playfully. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

Before I can respond, Liam is right beside me, his hand gently resting on my shoulder. I look up, my stomach twisting. His blue eyes glimmer with something—amusement, maybe?—but there’s a softness to it too.

“Guess I should kiss you now, huh?” Liam says with a playful wink, his tone teasing.

My heart skips a beat. I open my mouth to protest, but the words get stuck in my throat.

And then Alex steps in.

“I’ll kiss her first,” he says with a smirk, taking a step toward me.

I freeze. I can’t move. This is happening.

But then Nathan—always the mediator—laughs and steps forward, his calm voice cutting through the tension. “Alright, alright. I think we can share, can’t we?”

All three of them look down at me, as if awaiting my response. They’re teasing, but there's something more to it. Something deeper.

The room feels suddenly quiet, despite the music playing in the background.

Katie watches, her eyes wide with anticipation.

I try to force a laugh. "You guys are nuts," I mutter, my heart racing, unsure whether this is a game they’re playing or something else entirely.

And then, before I can make sense of it, Liam leans in, his lips brushing mine gently, just a soft, fleeting kiss. It’s nothing like I imagined. It’s a moment, pure and simple, and yet it sends my entire world spinning.

The gym is still buzzing with noise, but all I can hear is the soft beat of my own heart.