Page 108 of Eight Days of Christmas
“Are you sure? I think I might feel a bump.” His forehead wrinkled, and his brows raised. He looked at her intently.
“Um, maybe my head does feel a little sore.”
“I should take her somewhere she can lie down, and I can get a better look at her,” Finn suggested. “Dad, can you help me get her up?”
They both took one of her arms and helped her onto a row of chairs where Finn assisted her with lying across them. Dad assured everyone she was fine. Harrison stood there looking helpless.
He knelt by her side, brushing her cheek with his hand. “Need me to get you something?”
“Hey, man,” Finn interrupted. “Would you mind finding her some Tylenol?”
“Oh, sure. I can do that…I suppose.” He kissed Isabella on the forehead. “I’ll be back.”
“Thanks,” she muttered.
Once he was out of earshot, Finn punched his fist lightly into Isabella’s shoulder.
“Hey.” She rubbed her arm. “What was that for?”
“I know you faked it.”
“What?”
“You fake fainted.”
She bit the inside of her cheek. “How did you know?”
“Oh, I don’t know? Maybe because I’m adoctor. Or maybe because I’m not a complete moron. If you plan on fake fainting again, you better practice beforehand. That was not an Oscar-winning performance out there.”
Dad threw his hand up. “What is going on?”
She buried her face in her palms. If anything, her little performance had only bought her a few extra minutes, and maybe a lot of explaining. But at least it would save Harrison some humiliation from having to let him down in front of all those people.
“You faked it?” Dad sat down in an open chair by her feet.
She pushed up on her elbows. “I’m sorry.”
“But…why?”
“I just needed a minute.”
“Okay, so you felt put on the spot. I get that. But then why not tell him? Why risk hurting yourself and upsetting your mother?”
Isabella sat up, scooting closer to Dad. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings in front of all our family and friends.”
“So, you’re sure you don’t want to marry him?”
Isabella nodded, saying, “I’m sure.”
“Well, sweetie, I’d say you probably should’ve told him that before he hopped on a plane on Christmas Day.”
“I know.” She rubbed her forehead.
“Izzy,” Finn said, slumping sideways onto a chair in the row in front of her. “If you don’t want to marry this guy, then tell him no.”
“I don’t want to hurt him.”
Dad turned to face her, putting a loving hand on her shoulder and squeezing it. “This is your life, your future we’re talking about. What doyouwant?”
