Page 48 of Eight Days of Christmas
“Okay, time for afternoon coffee.”
“You know that’s not actually a thing, right?” Norah arched a brown brow.
“What’s not a thing?”
“Afternoon coffee.”
“Oh yeah? I’ll have you know it’s most definitely a thing because I said it is. And it’s more than a thing, afternoon coffee is a full-on religious experience.” She pushed herself off the floor and pulled Norah up.
Norah laughed, tucking her long, burnt sienna hair behind her ear. “Whatever you say.” She followed Isabella into the kitchen. “Nina said she’d help with the centerpieces after she put Ava down for a nap.”
“She’s five. Do you think she still needs to be taking naps?” Isabella asked.
“What do I know? I don’t have kids. Yet.”
Standing in front of the coffee machine, Isabella froze and turned slowly to face Norah, clutching at her chest. “What do you mean,yet? Oh Norah, please tell me you’re not…” she let her words fall, unable to finish the question. She knew her sister would have kids eventually, but she didn’t need to rush it.
“No.” Norah confirmed quickly. “But I mean…soon, I hope.”
“But you’re so young. What’s the hurry?”
“It’s not a hurry. We love each other. We want to start a family right away. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I guess.” Isabella prepped the coffee maker, folding her lips together and telling herself not to press the subject further.
“Believe me. When you get married, you’ll feel the same way.”
“Maybe. But by the time that happens, I won’t be young anymore.” She hit the brew button.
“You never know,” Norah said, retrieving two mugs from the cupboard.
“I’m nowhere close. Remember, Harrison and I are sort of on a break?” She shoved an elbow into Norah’s side. “Thanks for telling Landon about that, by the way.”
Norah hunched her shoulders. “Sorry. But I tell him everything.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she said, waving her off. “Because you two are so in love.And just you wait until you’re in love, Izzy. Blah, blah, blah.”
Norah smiled wistfully. “Something like that. But I wasn’t talking about Harrison.”
“Well, I know you’re not talking about another certain Hoffman. Because that would be borderline insane.”
Norah leaned a hip into the counter. “C’mon, would it be so crazy?”
By the way Norah’s voice went up an octave, it was obvious just how crazy.
“Yes,” Isabella said flatly.
“But everyone knows how perfect you two are for each other. Everyone but you two stubborn jackasses.”
“We had our chance.” She picked up one of the Christmas mugs and studied the silly reindeer with the big, bright red nose, getting lost in a memory of Leo. One where their limbs were intertwined, and he whispered into her ear that he’d never let her go. She swallowed the lump full of regret in her throat. “It just wasn’t meant to be.”
“Can you just keep your heart and mind open to it? For me? Please?” Norah reached out and squeezed the top of Isabella’s arm.
She wanted to promise Norah on reflex alone. She couldn’t look at her angelic face without promising her the moon and the stars. She would do anything for Norah. So how could she deny her now?
Isabella’s shoulders sagged as she sighed and agreed. “Fine. I’ll try to be open to possibility.”
“Yay.” Norah jumped up and down before yanking Isabella into a hug.
