Finding Love Again

35

Mr. PERFECT: I understand, Maya. Take your time, and I'll be here if you ever want to talk. Maybe one day we'll grab that coffee.

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Christmas Eve

The house was filled with the warm, comforting scents of Christmas—cinnamon, nutmeg, and roasting turkey blending with the faint, smoky aroma of a fire burning in the living room. Everyone seemed busy and joyful, caught up in the holiday spirit. Children darted around, playing with their new toys, while the adults sipped mulled wine and shared stories around the tree, their laughter ringing through the air.

Maya stood apart from it all, leaning against the doorframe of the living room, her gaze distant. Her mind felt a thousand miles away, lost in a maze of thoughts and emotions she couldn’t quite untangle. She could see Liam across the room, playing with the kids, a carefree smile on his face. For a moment, she allowed herself to admire him—the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way he seemed so effortlessly at ease. She couldn’t deny the warmth that blossomed in her chest every time she saw him, but it was tangled up with confusion, uncertainty, and a fear she hadn’t yet fully confronted.

Liam glanced up and caught sight of her, his smile faltering slightly when he noticed her distant expression. Gently excusing himself from the game, he made his way over to her, his steps careful, as if approaching a skittish animal.

“Maya,” he began softly, trying to read her expression. “Is everything okay?”

Maya didn’t answer right away. She looked down at her hands, twisting them together nervously. She hadn’t spoken much since their conversation the other day. She’d been too wrapped up in her own thoughts, too afraid of what she might say if she tried to put her feelings into words.

Liam shifted awkwardly, searching for the right words. “I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable,” he said, his voice earnest. “If I’ve made things weird between us... I’ll go tell everyone I lied about you being my girlfriend. I don’t want you to feel pressured or—”

Maya’s eyes shot open wide, and before she knew it, her hand shot out, gripping his arm. Her heart was pounding, so loudly she could hear it in her ears. “No,” she said quickly, her voice coming out stronger than she’d expected. She swallowed, her grip tightening on his arm. “Don’t.”

Liam stopped, taken aback by the intensity in her eyes. “Maya—” he started, but she cut him off again.

“Don’t,” she repeated, softer this time. Her eyes were locked on his, and he could see something in them had changed. The vulnerability that had been there before—the fear, the hesitation—it was gone. Instead, there was a new determination, a kind of fierce resolve that made his breath catch in his throat.

“Maya, if you want me to—if it would make you feel better—”

“Stop,” she whispered, and her hand moved to his other arm, holding him in place. Liam’s breath hitched. He could see it now, clear as day—she wasn’t afraid anymore. There was something new, something he’d never seen in her before.

And then, before he could say another word, she leaned in, pressing her lips against his. The kiss was soft, tentative at first, but then it deepened, and Liam felt a rush of emotion flood through him—surprise, relief, joy—all at once.

When she finally pulled away, her breath warm against his lips, she whispered, “Go tell the world you’re mine.”

Liam felt his heart swell, his arms wrapping around her instinctively, pulling her closer. He could hardly believe what was happening, but he didn’t want to question it, didn’t want to break the spell of this perfect moment.