Three Kisses, One Christmas

Chapter 2.

I blink a few times, my heart still racing in my chest, the gentle pressure of Liam’s lips lingering on mine like a whisper. It wasn’t some grand, romantic kiss, but it felt like everything, all at once, like the world suddenly shifted into something I wasn’t prepared for.

Liam pulls back, his blue eyes meeting mine with a kind of softness that makes my breath catch. There’s no teasing now, no smirk. Just this deep, unexpected warmth.

“Are you alright?” he asks quietly, his hand still resting on my shoulder.

I can’t find the right words. How do I explain the storm of emotions crashing through me? I was fine a moment ago. I was completely fine, trying to avoid the chaos of this Christmas mess, but now…

I nod, forcing a smile that feels completely out of place. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…” I trail off, unsure of what to say. I don’t want to sound like a fool.

Before Liam can say anything else, Alex steps in, his voice loud and playful as always. “Well, now that the kiss is out of the way, what do we do next? A full-on Christmas dance-off?”

Liam glances at Alex, his expression lightening, but I can see the glint in his eyes. It’s the kind of look that makes me wonder if he’s more in control of this moment than he lets on.

Alex catches my eye and winks, his grin playful, and I feel the tension ease up just a bit. He’s always been a master at keeping things light, never letting anything get too serious. But I’m not sure if I’m ready for this—this sudden shift in everything.

“Come on, Debs,” Alex presses, crossing his arms, “don’t tell me you’re going to stand here all night. You’re under the mistletoe. That’s practically an invitation, isn’t it?”

I roll my eyes, but there’s something about his playful energy that feels safe. He always knows how to make people laugh, how to pull them out of their shell. But this time, I’m not sure if I’m laughing at his jokes or nervously trying to figure out how to handle all this attention.

“I think one kiss is enough for tonight,” I say, trying to make light of it, but my voice feels shaky, and I’m pretty sure they all notice.

Nathan, who’s been quiet up until now, steps forward. He’s always the peacemaker, the one who finds a way to smooth over the tension. “Maybe we should let Debby decide,” he suggests, his calm voice cutting through the noise. “We’re just messing with you. If you want to leave, we won’t stop you.”

But there’s something in his eyes—something that makes me pause. Nathan always looks like he has everything figured out. He’s the lawyer-to-be, the calm one in the group, the one who makes decisions with precision. And yet, in this moment, he seems... softer than usual.

I glance around, feeling suddenly overwhelmed. The gym is still alive with chatter and music, but it feels like all of that is fading into the background. The world feels smaller, quieter.

I look at Liam, then at Alex, and finally, Nathan. The three of them are so different, yet somehow they fit together, like pieces of a puzzle.

“I... I don’t know what I’m doing here,” I admit, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “I didn’t come here for all this.”

Liam’s eyes soften, and he steps a little closer, his voice low and reassuring. “You don’t have to be anywhere else but here. We’re just having a good time.”

I bite my lip, uncertain. But the truth is, I do feel something, something that I wasn’t expecting. A warmth I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s not just Liam’s kiss that has me reeling—it’s the whole situation. The way they look at me, the way they’ve all come together in this unexpected way, like fate decided that tonight, everything would change.

“I think I’ll stay,” I say quietly, surprised at how sure I sound.

Alex gives a loud whoop of approval. “That’s what I’m talking about! Let’s make it a night to remember!” He pulls me toward the center of the gym, his arm thrown around my shoulders. “C’mon, Debby. Let’s show these people how to really dance.”

I laugh, though it feels a little forced. Dancing? With them? What am I thinking?

Nathan moves beside me, his presence calming. “You sure you’re okay with this?” he asks quietly, his voice almost like a whisper.

I nod, though I’m still not sure what “this” even is. The kiss, the dancing, the way I feel like I’m falling into some unknown territory.

“I’m fine,” I say, trying to sound convincing. “I think I’m just... a little out of my element.”

Nathan smiles softly, the kind of smile that makes everything feel okay again. “It’s alright. You don’t have to figure everything out tonight. Just... enjoy yourself.”

For the first time in a long while, I feel like I can.

As the music picks up again, Alex starts to pull me into the center of the gym, spinning me around in a way that almost makes me stumble. I let out a surprised laugh, caught off guard by the ease with which he moves.

“You’re a natural,” Alex teases, grinning widely as he holds me steady. “You’re just afraid to let go. Don’t worry, Debby, we’ll get you out of your shell.”

I shake my head, laughing. “I’m not exactly a dancer, Alex.”

“You don’t have to be,” Liam’s voice cuts through, his hand brushing mine as he steps closer. “You just have to move with the music.”

I look up at him, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. There’s something in the way he looks at me, something that makes my heart flutter. It’s not the playful teasing of Alex or the calm assurance of Nathan. With Liam, it’s different. There’s a quiet intensity to him, something unspoken that makes me feel... special.

But I don’t know how to deal with that feeling. I don’t know how to deal with any of this.

I’m not ready to let anyone close again. Not after everything that’s happened. But here I am, standing in the middle of a gymnasium, surrounded by the triplets, and suddenly I’m questioning everything I thought I knew.

“Come on, Debby,” Alex says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Just a little spin. You might surprise yourself.”

With a deep breath, I give in. I allow him to spin me again, and this time I don’t resist. I let go of the tension in my shoulders, the worry in my chest. For the first time tonight, I just let go.

The music flows around me, and for a moment, everything else fades away. There’s only the rhythm, the warmth of the crowd, and the feeling of being alive again.

And then, I feel it. Liam’s hand on my back, guiding me in time with the music. It’s gentle, steady, like he’s taking care of me without even realizing it.

I glance up at him, and for the briefest moment, our eyes meet. There’s something there—something unspoken—and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

The music slows down, and before I know it, Liam is pulling me closer. His hand moves from my back to my waist, and I inhale sharply, my body instinctively leaning into him.

“Debby,” he whispers, his voice hushed against the quiet of the gym. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nod, my words caught in my throat.

But then, unexpectedly, Alex steps in again, his arm slinging around my shoulders, pulling me away from Liam.

“Hey now, don’t hog her all to yourself,” Alex teases, his grin wide. “She’s got to share the love with the rest of us.”

I laugh nervously, my heart racing. I don’t know if I should be relieved or disappointed that the moment with Liam ended so abruptly. I try to push the confusing feelings to the back of my mind.

“We’re just having fun,” Nathan says, stepping up to us. He gives me a warm smile. “You look like you’re doing better already.”

“Yeah,” I say, trying to hide the flurry of emotions in my chest. “I guess I am.”

But as the night goes on, as the triplets continue to tease and flirt and spin me around the dance floor, I can’t help but wonder—what does it all mean?

I’m not sure I’m ready for any of this. But maybe, just maybe, I’m ready to find out.