Cookie

26

“What does this mean, Liam?”

My voice is barely above a whisper, hesitant, afraid to let myself believe he’s saying what I think he is. I know too well the sting of shattered hopes.

Liam holds me close, his warmth grounding me. He presses a soft kiss to my forehead before pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. His hands rest gently on my shoulders, steadying me as he speaks.

“I don’t know, Nataly… I still don’t know what all of this means. But it’s not just up to me. What would you—”

Before he can finish, voices and laughter spill from the house. Mary, Logan, and a few others rush outside, heading straight for us.

Liam exhales sharply, visibly irritated by the interruption. He doesn’t bother hiding it, and I don’t blame him. I wanted to hear the rest of his question—to tell him how I feel. But the moment is lost. I can only hope we’ll find another.

“Are you guys ready to go caroling?” Mary grins, holding up sheets of lyrics.

Liam and I nod, though neither of us is enthusiastic. As we start walking toward Alicia’s house, someone falls into step beside me.

“Hey, Nat. Merry Christmas.”

I blink in surprise. Taylor. I hadn’t realized he was coming tonight, but I’m glad. Since our awkward double date, we’ve kept in touch. We have a lot in common—books, TV shows, late-night debates about fictional characters.

“Hey, Taylor! Merry Christmas to you too.”

“How are you?”

Before I can answer, an arm snakes around my waist. Liam pulls me closer, his grip possessive. Taylor’s gaze flicks from my face to Liam’s arm. He smirks, rolling his eyes.

“She’s fine, Tom. Now keep moving.”

I elbow Liam in the stomach—the way he taught me to defend myself. He grunts but tightens his hold. I shoot him a warning glare. He knows I hate when he acts like this, especially toward Taylor.

“Ignore him, Taylor,” I say, rolling my eyes dramatically.

Liam, of course, doesn’t let it go.

“Yeah, Tom, why don’t you just ignore both of us for the rest of your life?”

“Liam!”

I shove his arm off me and step away before he can reach for me again. Thankfully, we arrive at Alicia’s house, and the group starts singing Silent Night. Mr. and Mrs. Milles greet us with warm smiles, cookies, and hot chocolate.

We continue caroling for nearly two hours, stopping at different houses, exchanging laughter, and sipping cocoa. But in between songs, Liam and Taylor engage in a silent war—snide comments, tense stares, and Liam’s relentless need to keep a hand on me.

At one point, Liam steps away with John to grab something from inside. Taylor seizes the moment, approaching me with an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry about tonight, Nat. Logan invited me, and I didn’t think Liam would act like this.”

I shake my head, forcing a smile. “I’m happy you’re here, Taylor. And I’m sorry about him. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Taylor chuckles, glancing toward the house. “Don’t worry. I get it. Honestly, watching him get jealous is kind of funny.”

He squeezes my shoulder. I smile back, but his words linger in my mind. Is Liam really jealous? If he is, I don’t find it funny at all. He knows how I feel about him. So why would he be jealous?

Before I can process the thought, a low, dangerous voice cuts through the air.

“Take your hand off her. Now.”

Taylor stiffens. I turn to find Liam standing behind him, his jaw clenched, fists at his sides.

“Liam, what the hell?” I step between them, placing a hand on Liam’s chest.

He ignores me, his burning gaze locked on Taylor. “I hate the way he looks at you, Nat. Like he’s picturing things he shouldn’t. And I can’t stand him putting his hands on you.”

I sigh, exasperated. “Taylor and I are friends. That wasn’t a date, Liam. You know that. I don’t see him that way.”

Liam doesn’t respond, but his fists unclench slightly. He exhales, running a hand through his hair.

I reach for his hand, threading my fingers through his. “Please, Liam. Let it go.”

He hesitates before squeezing my hand. We catch up to the group, but the tension lingers.

By the time we reach Mary’s house, it’s nearly 3 AM. Exhausted, we collapse around her kitchen table, nursing mugs of warm cider.

Liam sits beside me, his arm draped over the back of my chair. Taylor takes the seat on my left. Before Liam can comment, I squeeze his hand in silent warning. He presses a kiss to my temple instead.

Mary’s little brother, Alex, runs over, eyes shining with excitement.

“Liam! Mary says you and Logan know how to fight. Is it true?”

Liam grins. “Maybe.”

“Cool! Can you teach me? Logan tried, but Mary wouldn’t let him.”

Liam looks to me for permission. I nod, and with a chuckle, he lifts Alex into his arms, carrying him off to another room.

As they disappear, Taylor leans back in his chair, smirking. “Quite the hero, isn’t he?”

I nod absently. “He is.”

Taylor shifts closer. “What about you? Any plans for the holidays?”

“Just a cabin trip with the group.”

Before I can create more distance, Taylor leans in too close. His breath smells of alcohol. My stomach knots.

“You know, Nat…” His voice drops, his fingers brushing my waist. “You’re such a tease. Acting all sweet and innocent. But I bet you’re a freak in the sheets. I mean, Liam’s obsessed with you. There’s gotta be a reason, right?”

I shove him, panic rising in my chest. “Let go of me, Taylor.”

He grips me tighter. My heart pounds. Before I can react—

Taylor yelps.

Liam’s hand clamps around his throat, slamming him into the wall. His knuckles collide with Taylor’s face—once, twice—until Taylor collapses to the floor, barely conscious.

But Liam doesn’t stop.

He’s lost in his rage, fists flying, his breaths ragged.

“Liam, stop!”

Logan rushes forward, grabbing his arm, but Liam throws a punch at him too, sending him stumbling back.

I stand frozen.

“If he doesn’t stop, he’s going to be in huge trouble,” Logan warns.

That’s all it takes. I step forward, dropping to my knees beside Liam. My hands tremble as I touch his shoulder.

His entire body tenses. When he turns to me, his fist is still raised. But the moment he sees me, his eyes soften. His breathing steadies.

Then, without a word, he pulls me into his arms.

I hear voices—Mary’s dad calling for a doctor, Logan cursing under his breath—but all I can focus on is Liam, his hold on me unyielding.

“Are you okay, Nataly?” His voice is barely audible, his lips brushing my hair.

I swallow hard, nodding against his chest. “Can you take me home, Liam?”