Page 101 of Eight Days of Christmas
Leo wrapped an arm around Isabella’s waist and pulled her in tight. “I think she’s right. About the team thing.”
Smiling, Isabella slid her hands along his broad shoulders, lacing her fingers together at the back of his neck. “I think so, too.”
In one swift movement, Leo lifted Isabella and set her on a stainless steel counter that spanned the middle of the kitchen. She squealed and laughed, but then he was fitting himself between her legs, making butterflies flutter in her stomach. With a low hum in the back of his throat, he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek.
Isabella all but melted into him, holding on to his strong arms, tangling her legs around his. It was an innocent kiss, but Leo could make even the most innocent moments feel like she could lose herself.
He pulled back and looked her in the eyes, wearing that sexy grin. “Had a little chocolate on your face. I couldn’t resist.” He kissed her then on the mouth, achingly slow, the sweet taste of cocoa still on his tongue. When he drew away once more, leaving her utterly breathless, his eyes glittered. “I had to take the time to do that. Before this day gets any crazier. I love your mouth, Izz.”
She bit her lip, her heart pounding. She wanted to say something more, and she’d be lying if she said she didn’t wish thathe’dsaid something more, too. She wanted Leo to love all of her. Wanted—so badly—to hear him say it.
She glanced down, but he tilted her chin up. “Hey. You’re a very good sister, by the way. Norah is going to have a much better memory of her wedding thanks to you.”
She tapped his nose, shoving her annoyingfeelingsdown deep. “And you’re a very good soon-to-be-brother-in-law.”
He gave her that grin again, along with a sidelong glance. “Whose mouth you also love.”
Her heart felt like it was about to explode. She had to will her face not to show disappointment as she said, “Yes. Whose mouth I also love.”
Thirty minutes later, Leo pressed a hurried kiss to Isabella’s lips before he dropped her back off at the Whitley home. She made it just in time for her and Nina to help Norah with her hair and makeup. Norah wouldn’t put her wedding gown on until she arrived at the wedding location. Isabella doubted Norah could even sit in the white, slim-fitted gown once she had it on.
When Norah was ready, Isabella took a quick shower and then hurried into her bedroom to put on the hideous red bridesmaid’s dress. At least she only had to wear it for one day, then she’d never have to look at it again.
She rushed to the window, peeking through the sheer curtains, and hoping to catch a glimpse of Leo in his room. But disappointment bloomed in her chest when she found his blinds closed.
“Alright girl, spill it,” Nina said from behind her, entering the room.
Isabella spun around. “What?”
“What’s going on with you and Leo?”
Isabella’s cheeks burned. “Umm…I don’t know, exactly.”
“Well, he obviously has more than just a thing for you.” She didn’t say it like a question. “And what are you guys gonna do about it?”
That was the burning question. Whatwouldthey do about it? Whatcouldthey do? Could she sacrifice New York? Her job? She could propose the ability to work remotely, but they could just as easily turn her down. She’d worked so hard to land this job and build this career. And what about her friends? And Todd and Margo? They’d grown so close; they were like family.
Would Leo really come to New York like he’d said? Could he ever see himself settle down there? She wasn’t exactly sure how it would work or what their future would look like. But the most important thing was that they would figure it out together. She had to trust everything would fall into place afterward.
“I think we’re going to try long-distance,” Isabella said.
“Ahh!” Nina shrieked. “You know Norah is gonna flip when she hears this? She’s been conspiring for the last few weeks to get you two back together.”
“Please don’t tell her,” Isabella pleaded. “Please don’t tell Finn either. Or anyone else.”
“Believe me, the last thing I want is to be in on some kind of Whitley family drama.” She went back to situating her long, black braids while looking in the full-length mirror. “But for the record, I’m really happy for you Izz.”
Isabella’s cheeks warmed. “Thanks,” she whispered. “I’m happy for me, too.”
She slipped her feet into her red pumps. At leasttheywere cute. Italian suede with a stiletto heel. And the red sash Norah picked out to wrap around the bridesmaids’ shoulders was a nice touch to hopefully conceal the hideous bow, but it did little in the area of keeping them warm.
There was a knock on the door, and Isabella’s heart jumped. It took a few seconds for it to calm down and slide back into place once she saw Mom and Ava enter the room. Ava twirled in her sparkly red dress, the full tulle skirt lifting on the ends. They filled Ava’s tank full of “ooo’s” and “ahh’s” and compliments. She really did look beautiful. And maybe, Isabella hoped, Ava’s cuteness would be enough distraction for guests not to notice the awful bridesmaids’ dresses.
At the wedding hall, Isabella carried Norah’s wedding gown encased in a cloth bag, holding it high so it wouldn’t drag on the salt-sprinkled icy asphalt. Inside the small tent that had been set up as a Bride’s Room, there was a rolling hanging rod where Isabella hung the gown. The tent had a space heater and a few full-length mirrors set up on one side, and a makeshift counter lined with hair products—from hairspray to bobby-pins. The wedding coordinator had thought of everything, including bottles of water and boxes of tissues. Norah had already teared up twice since getting her makeup done. At this rate, she’d have no makeup left by the time the actual ceremony began.
“I’m so nervous,” Norah said, beginning to unbutton her blouse.
“What do you have to be nervous about?” Isabella unzipped the gown bag. “You love Landon, and he loves you. It’s that simple, right?”
