Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s close to accurate. The moment Liv opened her front door, my heart stopped beating. Literally. Just completely stopped for at least thirty seconds. She looked so pretty in her sweater and short skirt, but it wasn’t because she was trying to be beautiful. It’s because she wasn’t trying at all. She was cute and effortless, and I wanted to stare at her all morning. But somehow, I managed to pull my shit together and drive us to her mom’s house. Then, I completely lost it and almost kissed her, until Carol showed up and I came to my senses.

It’s no surprise that I’m attracted to Liv. I always have been. Any man with eyes could see how gorgeous she is. But, aside from us being stepsiblings once upon a time, she’s twenty-three and I’m twenty-nine. Not sure how she’d feel about being with an older guy, but I wouldn’t be shocked if she’d prefer someone her own age.

On the other hand, I can hear Mike’s voice in my head, telling me I have no right making decisions like that for her. Hereminds me how I’m good at talking myself out of something before it starts, because my terrible parents led me to believe I didn’t deserve to have anything good in my life. He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but I’m glad I have someone like him to help me see I’m worthy of happiness.

“So, what’s the plan today, guys? We staying in or going out?” Carol dries her hands at the sink after washing our dishes from lunch. I told her she didn’t need to do that and I’d be more than happy to clean up. But she shooed me away, claiming that I’m a guest and that she didn’t invite me into her home to wash dishes.

Liv taps her chin with her index finger. “Hmm… how about Christmas cookies and movies today, then we can head out for some shopping tomorrow? I still have a few things to pick up, but I’m in no mood to put on real clothes right now.” She chuckles while looking down at herself and tugging on her oversized pink hoodie.

“Sounds good to me, but you kids aren’t gonna have me slaving away in this kitchen all day by myself while you two bum around my living room.” Carol points back and forth between us with a narrowed gazed and pinched lips. But her warning loses steam when a grin turns up the corners of her mouth.

“Carol…” I tilt my head with a dramatic expression on my face and a palm over my heart. “How could you think that of us? We’d love nothing more than to dirty up your pristine kitchen and amuse you with our presence.” I wink at her and she rolls her eyes.

“Still the same charmer you always were.” There’s a warmth in her smile even when she hits me with her dish towel.

I know I didn’t leave things on the best terms with her all those years ago, but it feels awesome being in her good graces. She’s an amazing person and I envy the relationship she has with Liv. It’s clear to see that my father didn’t deserve her, but I can understand why he wanted to be with her. Probably the samereason I want to be near her daughter. These two women are filled with love and light and joy. Who wouldn’t want to steal a piece of that for themselves, even if only for a little while?

We spend all afternoon baking every kind of holiday cookie you can imagine. It seemed excessive to have so many treats when it’s just the three of us. But Carol explained that she makes platters of all the goodies and gives them out to friends. She also drops some off to the places she volunteers.

As we laugh and consume far too much sugar for one day, it’s easy to imagine sharing my life with them. Remorse washes over me when I think about what might have been.

What if I wasn’t such an asshole back then? What if my father was actually the good guy he pretended to be?

I start to slip down the rabbit hole of coulda-woulda-shouldas when Liv sidles up to me.

“Here, try this.” She holds a treat out to me.

“What is it?”

“It’s a dirty snowball,” she says as if I’m supposed to know what that means.

“A what?” I look at the small white confection dusted with chocolate cookie crumbles on top.

“Just open your mouth,” she fusses, then waits for me to comply. Little does she know I’d gladly open up for anything she wants to give me. For now, I’ll settle for a treat.

I part my lips and prepare to take a bite when she shoves the whole thing into my mouth. She laughs hysterically and the sound makes my heart flutter in my chest. I tug her curvy body into mine, laughing along with her as I swallow down a mouthful of white chocolate and crushed Oreos.

“You think that’s funny?” I tickle her side as she rests her small palms on my chest with her head tossed back in amusement.

Before I can stop myself, I bend down and kiss her exposed neck, feeling the warmth of her delicate flesh against my lips. Instantly, my dick goes hard when her hips press into me. When I hear Carol shuffling cookie sheets in the oven, I remember we’re not alone and take a step back to collect myself.

“Sorry about that,” I whisper as heat blooms through my body.

Liv’s cheeks are a pretty shade of peachy pink when she smiles and peeks up at me from beneath her long, dark lashes. “It’s okay,” she assures me while tucking a loose curl behind her ear. “I, um…” She glances at her feet for a second before returning her gaze to mine and whispering back, “I liked it.”

Then she checks to see if her mom is watching, and after confirming that the coast is clear, she rises on her toes and gives me a quick peck on the lips.

My eyebrows lift, but I’m too stunned to say anything.

Looks like I won’t have to, because it’s at that moment that Carol turns her attention to us. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had enough cooking and baking for one day. Let’s order pizza and veg out with some movies.”

Liv strolls to the other side of the marble-top island as if nothing happened, but I’m still too shocked to move. “Sounds good to me. You go get everything set up in the theater room and we’ll call in dinner.”

Carol walks over to her daughter and wraps an arm around Liv’s shoulders. Then she looks at both of us with an affectionate smile. “I’m so happy you’re here.Bothof you. If I get nothing else, you’ve already given this ol’ lady a wonderful Christmas.”

Liv leans in and rests her head on Carol’s shoulder. I can feel the love they share from here and long to be a part of it.

Maybe I should take Mike’s advice and allow myself to be happy for once. If these two women can forgive me and allow me back into their lives so easily, then perhaps I should be opento the gift they’re giving me. Maybe this is the universe’s way of making it up to me for having to spend all those years alone. If it is, I’ll take it.