Page 106 of Eight Days of Christmas
Chapter Thirty-Two
Isabella
She stood there,frozen, blinking back her disbelief. “What are you doing here?”
“You weren’t answering my texts. I couldn’t let a silly thing like distance keep us apart on Christmas. So, I took the first flight available and then took an Uber from the airport.” Tugging her toward him, he shot a glare at Leo, then he swept her up in his arms, spinning her around and nuzzling his chin in her neck. Her world tilted as he gazed down at her with those adoring green eyes, brows furrowed. “What is this horrid dress you’re wearing?”
She struggled to get out of his arms, struggled to catch her breath and find words. “You did what? You paid an Uber to drive you to Pineridge from Denver? That’s a two-hour drive.”
“Yeah. In hindsight, not the best idea. But hey, I’m here.” He placed his hands on her face, bringing her in for a kiss. She wanted to resist, but both her mind and body were trying to play catch up.
Harrison was seriously here. In Pineridge. And on Christmas Day.
Kissing her in front of Leo. This was going to be bad.
She had to take control of the situation. Pressing her palm to his chest, she shoved Harrison away and wiped her hand over her lips, but it was too late. When she glanced at Leo who stood a few feet away, his shoulders broad and stiff, a stony expression masked his face.
She swallowed the ever-growing lump in her throat. “Harrison Blake,” she said, voice wobbling, “this is Leo Hoffman. Leo, Harrison.”
Harrison extended his hand as if accepting an award, but Leo kept his hands fisted at his side. “The infamous Leo Hoffman.” He smiled wide, but she could tell it was forced. “You’ve given a man a notably unattainable image to live up to after being our Bella’s first love.”
With nostrils flaring and cold eyes, Leo replied, “I’ve heard quite a bit about you as well, wish I could say all good.”
There was a quiver in her stomach, and she pulled the shawl around her arms tighter.
“And I think you mean ourIzzy?” Leo continued, teeth clenching.
“Ahh.” Harrison pointed at him. “That’s right. Isabella mentioned the nickname.” Placing a confident hand on her lower back, he smiled down at her. “Guess I’ll have to get used to it.”
Leo only continued to stare him down.
Harrison cleared his throat. “Why don’t we grab your things, Izzy, and let’s get out of here. There’s a flight to JFK in three hours. We’ll still make it home in time for Christmas.” He tugged on her arm, but she yanked free.
“Wait, just wait a second. I’m not leaving in the middle of my sister’s wedding.”
“Well, well, well. Who do we have here, Izzy?” Dad asked, coming up from behind them. Mom accompanied him, and Finn, Nina, and Ava brought up the rear. They were like a rat pack. That was her family—always together. Maybe Landon had been right about the Whitleys. She supposed they could come off as a bit intimidating.
“Dad, this is Harrison Blake. Harrison, my dad.” She stepped back, allowing room for handshakes and more introductions, and to give her a moment to breathe. “This is my mom, Sue. And over here is my brother Finn and his wife Nina. And this is my niece, Ava.”
After Harrison had been introduced all around, he took hold of Isabella’s hand, squeezing it. She’d pictured in her mind many times what it might be like to bring Harrison to Colorado. How he would react to meeting her family. What he would think of them and the small town she grew up in. While Harrison was a gentleman, he’d grown up in Manhattan, went to private schools, never had to bundle up in extra layers in the winter when the heating bill needed to be conserved.
Now, he’d come all this way to be with her on Christmas, to meet her family. How could she tell him she no longer had feelings for him? How was she going to tell him she didn’t love him and didn’t see a future with him?
But with a simple glance in Leo’s direction and finding the hurt there, she knew she needed to clear things up—and fast.
She stiffened. “Harrison, we need to talk.”
But he ignored her. “Well, I have to say, it’s so wonderful to finally meet you all. It’s been far too long.”
Isabella was distracted by Leo and his uneasiness. He shuffled his feet, and she could tell he wanted to escape—hoping for an excuse to get out of there. She wanted one, too.
Harrison continued, “But I’m especially glad you’re all here. Because Bella,” he paused, correcting himself, “Izzyand I have some news.”
She glanced up at him, anxiety coursing through her, crawling up her throat. She whispered, “What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry, you’re gonna love this. It’s perfect,” he said in a lowered voice.
“Let’s talk first. Just the two of us,” she pleaded, yanking on his arm.
