Page 103 of Eight Days of Christmas
What startedas an innocent tradition of sharing a shot of whiskey in the Groom’s Room somehow manifested into Leo having a drunk groom on his hands. The Hoffman men always shared a shot of whiskey before any big event. But Landon had poured a few additional shots Leo wasn’t aware of. He’d been too distracted thinking about Izzy. Thinking about them. And their decision of trying a long-distance relationship.
Dad hadn’t been much help. He’d joined in on the traditional shot and then bowed out, going to mingle with the guests. Leo should’ve known better than to trust the two groomsmen to keep an eye on Landon. Their cousin Steve could hold liquor better than anyone Leo ever met, and Landon’s childhood best friend Riley, who was a new father and had drove in from Denver that morning, kept falling asleep in the corner of the tent.
“Ya know, brother?” Landon said, holding out the whiskey bottle to Leo. “I think you dodged a bullet with Izzy.”
Leo snatched the bottle, twisting the cap back on, and setting it out of reach. “Yeah? And why’s that?”
“The Whitleys are just so…so…good. Ya know?”
Leo clenched his jaw. “Yeah, I know.” He wanted to say more, but there wasn’t much sense in trying to reason with a drunk person.
“Norah is so…good.”
“That she is. You’re a lucky guy.”
“I know, I know, I know,” he muttered. “But sometimes, she’stoogood. Tooinnocent. If you know what I mean?” Landon raised his brows suggestively, and Leo tilted his head.
Their cousin Steve laughed and fist-bumped Landon.
Leo sent another text to Isabella.
Leo: Where are you?
Isabella: On my way.
“I think,” Leo spoke slowly, weighing his words, “you and Norah are going to have a long marriage with plenty of time to discuss all the things.”
“You and Isabella dated for a while. I’m sure you two had sex, right?”
Leo gritted his teeth. “I’m not having this conversation with you. Especially not now.”
“Oh, c’mon, big bro. Fill me in. I need to know if she was as sweet as Norah or if she got a little freaky. Izzy seems like she might be nice and freaky when the lights go out.”
Steve snorted into his fist and Leo shot him a fiery look.
“Alright, that’s enough.”
“Because maybe, Izzy could give Norah some pointers.”
Heat bubbled in his chest, setting his skin ablaze. If Landon wasn’t his kid brother, he would’ve punched him. “Landon, I said enough. You’re drunk.”
“Knock, knock, it’s Isabella.”
Riley straightened in his chair, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
Leo sighed. Finally, reinforcements. But this was a bad time for Isabella to come strolling into the room.
On his guard, he lifted the curtain, parting it so she could enter. The sight of her nearly took his breath away. She stood there with an airpot cradled in one arm, a single brow arched like she was ready for a battle. Still, the sight of her made his heart stutter. Her dress might’ve been ugly, but it did nothing to take away from her beauty. With her dark hair falling in curls on one shoulder and pulled up on the opposite side, it revealed a bare collarbone and neck so delicious he ached to taste it.
Landon staggered to standing, a lopsided grin on his face, his dress shirt half untucked, hair disheveled. “Sis,” he greeted, attempting to hug her.
She straightened and shoved him in the chest. “Back off, buddy. I’m here to save your ass.”
Riley chuckled and stood, stretching. “I’m going to get some air,” he muttered as he ducked out of the tent.
“You,” Landon pointed at Isabella, his words slurred, “are the bestest sister ever.”
“Here.” She placed two aspirin in Landon’s palm. “Take these and drink this.” She shoved a bottle of water at him.
