Why did The Young and the Restless' Claire kiss Kyle on Thanksgiving?

On the Thanksgiving episode of The Young and the Restless, Claire surprised Kyle with a kiss after spending the holiday with his family. What in the world was that about? She broke up with him over a month ago, saying she needed space and time to find herself. She couldn't possibly want him back, could she?

Thanksgiving on The Young and the Restless

Thanksgiving at the Abbott mansion on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

On the Thanksgiving episode of The Young and the Restless, Harrison (Redding Munsell) talked Claire (Hayley Erin) into joining the Abbotts for dinner, even though she had planned to spend it with her Newman family.

The Abbotts have had their differences over the years, but through it all, their love for each other has always overcome those obstacles. When they each spoke about what they were thankful for, maybe those warm and loving vibes had a positive effect on Claire. Maybe she looked into the future and saw the kind of life she could have if she marries Kyle (Michael Mealor) one day and becomes an Abbott herself.

She listened to Diane (Susan Walters) talk about how she finally feels accepted as an Abbott. Billy (Jason Thompson) commented that he didn't spend last Thanksgiving with his family, but he is happy and grateful to join them this year. All of those family moments might have touched Claire's heart and influenced her to plant a kiss on Kyle as she left. She simply got swept away by it all.

What was that smile about?

Claire had an odd smile on her face when she left Kyle on The Young and the Restless | Image

After Claire kissed Kyle and walked away, she had a strange smile on her face. Even Kyle looked confused, but then again, when does Kyle not look confused? For months, he's been confused about how to win Claire back, instead of just letting her go and waiting for her to want him back.

Does Claire even know why she kissed Kyle? She's been a mystery ever since she broke up with him and had her night with Holden (Nathan Owens) in Los Angeles. Is she torn between wanting to be her own person and wanting a future with Kyle? Or is she just being a tease like some Y&R fans think?

Whatever is going on in her mind, thankfully, Kyle didn't ask her what the kiss meant. He isn't analyzing it, just yet, so that's a good thing. Let's hope he keeps up that "just let her be" attitude.

But speaking of Holden...

Holden is still on Claire's mind on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Even though Claire said she isn't ready for a new relationship on The Young and the Restless, she did tell Holden that she wanted to talk about their night together -- and what she said about it was interesting. She said she doesn't know whether it's going to happen again, which means part of her wants it to, and the other part apparently doesn't care. For a young woman who insisted on her grandfather Victor's (Eric Braeden) blessing for her and Kyle to move in together just a few months ago, Claire sure has done a 180. Her behaviour just doesn't make much sense anymore.

What until she finds out what really happened between Holden and Audra (Zuleyka Silver) in L.A., which we don't know yet either. We suspect she will end her friendship with him once she discovers that he lied to her. After all, wasn't dishonesty what ruined her relationship with Kyle?

So, was the Thanksgiving kiss merely Claire's way of saying, "It was nice spending Thanksgiving with your family," or is she still in love with Kyle, deep down? Let's hope we get some answers next week. And let's hope we don't get countless scenes of Kyle discussing the kiss with Jack and Diane, trying to figure out why Claire kissed him. The best thing Kyle can do for himself is to take an indifferent approach, move on with his life, and pretend the kiss didn't happen.

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.