Page 33 of Pucking Christmas Triplets Surprise

“Oh fuck,” I curse under my breath, mentally slapping myself for cursing because Christopher will definitely punish me for it. As I peak out of the window looking around, I see my mother’s bright golden hair shining in the airport lights.

“Pull up here!” I point, directing the driver to my mother and barely waiting for the car to stop as I scramble out of the cab and toss the cash to the driver. “Thank you! Keep the change!” I call out as I rush toward my mother, ready to apologize profusely for being so late.

But as I step out onto the sidewalk, I freeze.

I spot them almost immediately—my mom, standing near the entrance, laughing at something Christopher just said. He’s holding her luggage, a neutral but amused look on his face, clearly making her laugh.

I feel my heart do a backflip in my chest. My mom, laughing like she’s known him forever, and Christopher, looking so casual and relaxed with her. Something tightens in my throat, and a weird mix of surprise and... something else... rushes through me.

I stand there for a moment, trying to process what I’m seeing. Christopher. Here. With my mom. Laughing. Like they’re... friends. A part of me is relieved, and another wants to jump on his back, wrap my legs and arms around him, and growl outmine.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling creeping up on me, and deciding not to tell Chris about this curse because it is totally warranted.

My mom spots me first, a wide smile crossing her face asshe waves. “Josie! There you are, baby!”

I manage to smile, though it feels a little tight. “Sorry I’m late... I lost track of time,” I force out, a little embarrassed. My mom pulls me into a hug, and the scent of caramel and rose surround me as her arms wrap around me, a feeling so familiar it makes something inside me soften.

“No worries, sweetheart,” Mom says, her voice light. But her eyes flick to Christopher, and I catch that little mischievous twinkle in them. “I was just meeting yourboyfriendhere. He’s been kind enough to help me with my bags. And, I have to say, he’squitethe charmer.”

Boyfriend, the word hangs in the air, heavy and unexpected. My eyes dart up to Christopher, ready to correct my mom because we haven’t defined what we are yet. But before I can say anything, he winks at me, a small, teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips. The warmth in his gaze makes the knot in my stomach loosen, and for a moment, all the worry just... slips away.

“A charmer?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, glancing at Chris.

“Just helping out with the bags, nothing special,” he says, voice smooth, and that little smile of his tugs at the corner of his lips.

“Oh hush!” Mom says, smacking his arm playfully. “He has been a complete gentleman, had a sign with my name on it and everything. Mom wiggles her eyebrows like she’sreallyenjoying herself, giving me that look. That look that says,We’ll talk about this later. Her eyes flick from Christopher back to me, a knowing grin spreading across her face.

Christopher lifts the bags effortlessly, nodding his head towards the parking lot. “I’ll drive you both to our house,” he says casually, like it’s no big deal, like he didn’t just imply his house is my house.

My heart stops, and I feel my face flush. “Our house?” I ask, trying to keep the shock from slipping into my voice.

Christopher raises an eyebrow, as if I am insane for thinking he is insane for calling his house,ourhouse. “Yeah, the house. I figured you’d want to get home faster, and I’m already here, so…” His voice trails off, and he gives a shrug

The butterflies in my stomach start to swarm, and I try not to let the ridiculous grin I’m fighting escape. “Uh… yeah, okay.” I stammer, feeling my pulse race. “I mean, you don’t have to?—”

“It’s fine, can’t have your mom at a hotel when we have all that room.” He steps closer, his hand brushing lightly against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. “Let’s go.”

As he turns and walks toward the car, I’m left standing there, my mind spinning. This man—this guy who picked up my mom from the airport, carried her bags, and now he's taking her to his house? My thoughts are all over the place, struggling to make sense of it. How did we get here so fast?

“Josie?” My mom’s voice breaks through my haze, and I blink, trying to pull myself back to reality.

“What?” I answer a little too quickly, still not fully grounded.

“You okay?” She asks, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “You look a little... distracted.”

I force a smile, but I can already feel the heat creeping up my neck. “Yeah, yeah. Totally fine.”

Taking a deep breath, I push myself into motion and start walking toward the car, my legs feeling heavier than usual. I follow Christopher, my heart thudding in my chest as we head towardhiscar. Towardourhouse.

CHAPTER 15

JOSIE

The soft hum of music filters through the air, pulling me from a restless sleep. At first, it’s gentle, soothing, almost like a dream. But then, I hear it—my mom’s off-key voice, loud and persistent, singing along toJolenewith all the enthusiasm she can muster.

“I’m begging on you, please!” She screeches, and I groan, rolling over in bed like a teenager and burying my face in my pillow, trying to block out the sound with a small smile on my face, because her lack of singing on key reminds me of home.

As I push myself up in bed, my gaze lands on a folded note lying on the nightstand.

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