Page 49 of Eight Days of Christmas
“But,” Isabella said, rearing back. “Then you have to do something for me. Agree to a bachelorette party. Tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes. I’ve already invited Nina and Maddie and Taylor.” Isabella stared at her sister, hopefully. “If not for yourself, do it for me. I need a break from all this.” She gestured to the space around them. “From Mom and Dad and Finn’s teasing, from Leo, from the wedding centerpieces.” She shook Norah’s shoulders. “Please, I’m begging you.”
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Yes!” Isabella pumped a celebratory fist into the air.
Chapter Fifteen
Leo
After spending hours skating,Leo had gone back to his dad’s house and unclogged the garbage disposal before taking a long, hot shower. Dressed in jeans and a navy-blue and gray flannel, he groaned as he stretched out on Dad’s couch, clicking through some photos on his digital camera.
As great as it felt to be out on the ice today, he was relieved to get a break from Isabella now. He wasn’t sure what was worse, feeling such intense attraction to her in those tight leggings as they hugged every inch of her curves, or feeling awful watching her fall onto the ice. He shouldn’t care. Not about her body, in any regard. Not if it was bruised and sore or soft and welcoming.
Jeez. Get a grip, Hoffman.
Holding the camera in his hands, Leo thought about going home. Just for tonight. It would feel amazing to sleep in his own king-sized bed that actually fit his long body. And he could get these latest prints uploaded and maybe even get started on editing them. But Dad had already put his famous Hoffman chili into the crockpot this morning before he left for work. Leo couldn’t disappoint him. This week was probably as important to him as it was to the Whitley’s. Without Mom here, Leo felt the added pressure to be completely present.
This house had warm memories filled to the brim. His mom had always made sure holidays were memorable. She’d planned fun family game nights and themed parties. In wintertime, she’d woken him and Landon up every Saturday with hot cocoa in an effort to bribe them to go outside and shovel the driveway.
While Leo held those memories close to his heart, he mostly tried to not think about them. Without Mom in this house, it felt drafty, and empty. The wood-paneled walls, red brick around the fireplace, and brown living room furniture made it dark. She’d been the one to breathe life into the house.
He wished she was here. Not only because she made the holidays authentic and memorable, but he could use her expertise right now with Isabella. He didn’t know how it was possible, but he was more confused about their relationship than ever before. If you could even call it a relationship. Throwing an arm across his face, his eyes fluttered closed.
“Hey.” Landon nudged Leo in the shoulder, waking him out of his near comatose state.
Leo pried open one eye. Landon held out an old mug with a bear printed on the side.
“Coffee?” Landon said.
Leo sat up, his cold body slow to respond. He took the mug and nodded his thanks.
Landon sat across from him, perching on the edge of Dad’s worn leather recliner, his own mug held in both hands.
Leo had a sneaking suspicion Landon had something on his mind. And he was fairly certain he knew exactly what it was. Or ratherwhoit was.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.” Landon hunched both shoulders.
Leo took a sip and allowed the coffee to work its magic before prodding Landon further. But the two of them sitting there in silence drinking their coffee grew increasingly more awkward as each second passed.
“Nothing, huh? Because it looks like you’ve got something on your mind.”
Landon studied his thumb as he rubbed it against the ceramic handle.
“Out with it already.”
Landon glanced up. “Fine. I sort of have a favor to ask.”
“Why do I feel like this favor is going to involve a certain Whitley woman? And not the one you’re engaged to.”
Landon winced.
“Because I sort of haven’t accomplished the last favor you requested.” He’d have it done in about five more days, when this extreme Whitley tradition was over, and he wasn’t forced to spend nearly every waking moment with his high school sweetheart.
