Page 110 of Eight Days of Christmas
She blinked, honestly confused that he couldn’t grasp how self-centered he was being, how this was not even something that was up for debate. But maybe part of it was her fault. She’d taught Harrison that her family didn’t mean enough for her to even visit for the holidays. She’d taught him that they were not a focal point in her life.
“Harrison, I love my family. I know that seems new to you, but I would never just walk out on Norah’s wedding. Not for you, not for anyone. I think…” she paused, considering her words. “I think that you don’t really know me. And it isn’t your fault. I’d forgotten who I even was until I came home.”
He took her hands in his. “Bella. How can you say that? I think I know the woman I’ve spent four years of my life with. I love her enough that I just flew 1,800 miles, in coach, to be with her on Christmas.”
“And I appreciate the sentiment,” she replied. “But that doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change that I’m a different person now than I was when I got on the plane to come here.”
He dropped her hands, pushing his fingers through his hair and turning away from her, then groaning and spinning back around to face her. “What exactly are you saying?”
She stood, the deepest knowing pulsing deep inside her. “I’m saying that you’re free to stay if you’d like, but I’m not leaving. And I’m not marrying you just because you finally decided you wanted me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have someone’s heart to unbreak.” She brushed past him, dashing out of the tent.
Isabella rushed into the wedding hall searching for Leo. A crowd of guests flocked around Landon and Norah congratulating them. She scanned the head table, but Leo’s seat was empty. Discouraged, she pulled her phone from her purse and sent him a text. But she had the sinking feeling he wouldn’t respond.
He had every right to be furious and feel dejected. But would Leo seriously skip out on his brother’s wedding reception? Thinking about breaking his heart for a second time hit her hard in the chest, giving her an unforgiving ache there.
As family members and wedding guests greeted her, she felt disoriented. She wanted to be present for Norah on her special day, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Leo and how much she desperately wanted to find him and explain things. Even though she still didn’t know what their future would look like, she wanted them to be together.
When she noticed the wedding party begin to take their seats at the head table, she glanced around but there still wasn’t any sign of him. She held onto the hope that he would show himself soon.
She rushed to Norah and Landon as they sat. “Hey guys, have either of you seen Leo?”
“Oh, sweetie.” Norah grazed her arm and flashed her a sympathetic smile.
Landon slid his phone out of the pocket of the tux jacket and held it out for her to read. “A text from Leo.”
Leo: Sorry bro but I can’t be here.
Isabella shut her eyes through the pain and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m so sorry, Landon.” Her heart ached, and she was desperate to console it, but it hurt for Landon too. She’d stolen this from him—having his brother at his wedding reception. He already didn’t have his mother there.
She wanted so badly to fix this. To go back to how things were between her and Leo the day before. Or even an hour before. She didn’t want Harrison. She wanted Leo—if he still wanted her. They were the ones who made a good team. They could fix anything as long as they did it together.
That’s all they needed. Each other. But how could she explain it to him when he was MIA?
Chapter Thirty-Three
Leo
Leo couldn’t hidein his truck forever. He knew he needed to go back inside. Not for Isabella, but for Landon. His brother was counting on him. He was the best man and still needed to do the toast. But if he were honest, all he wanted to do was start up his Chevy truck and drive until it ran out of gas. He didn’t care where he ended up.
He’d decided to give her space, to let her work through Harrison’s arrival on her own. But in truth, he was terrified. Izzy’s choice had flown in on a plane and found her. Leo wanted to think she would say no to Harrison, but he also knew that she had a life before him. A life she’d wanted. Leo wasn’t sure he could survive having his heart ripped out of his chest again, and even the chance that he might have to look at her, knowing that she’d chosen Harrison, would do it.
The thing that ate at him the most was that Harrison had been the one to make a grand gesture. He’d traveled all the way to Pineridge, on Christmas Day, and proposed to Isabella in front of strangers. He hadn’t let distance stand in the way of them being together.
Ten years and not once had Leo done something like that. He could’ve gone to New York to see her, and he hadn’t. He wasn’t even sure why. His mom? Pride? Because he’d decided a long time ago that Pineridge was his home and nothing or no one would convince him to leave?
He’d been too damn stubborn.
The truth was, Leo wanted to be mad at this Harrison guy for swooping in, stealing what little time he and Isabella had left together, for proposing and being selfless enough to perform a grand gesture. But he couldn’t be. He didn’t want to admit it, but maybe, the more righteous man had won.
Exhaling a deep sigh, he reluctantly climbed out of the truck and ambled toward the back door of the wedding hall, shuffling his dress shoes against the icy asphalt. He slipped inside just as the servers filled champagne flutes. The wedding coordinator announced into the microphone that it was almost time for the toast and requested that the maid of honor and best man make their way to the front.
Leo hid in the back. Isabella glided to the stage and accepted the microphone. Her voice trembled, but her words were honest and captivating. His heart ached when she spoke of the love between Landon and Norah, about how the two balanced one another out.
In the middle of her speech, she made eye contact with him, and her voice stalled. He dropped his chin, rubbing at the back of his neck, and she eventually recovered, rushing through the last few sentences. The wedding coordinator called for the best man next, and Leo sucked in a deep breath before strolling up to the mic.
Gazing out at family and friends, Leo began by reading off the cards he’d slipped into his pocket that morning. He hadn’t planned on going off-script, but when he wrote the toast on Christmas Eve, he’d been hopeful. Love had felt beautiful and possible. His mind had painted a charming picture of reverie and devotion.
When the handwritten words on his cards had run out, he had more to say so he improvised. “Landon and Norah,” he continued, stuffing the cards back into the pocket of the tuxedo pants. “When you think you’ve tried everything, when all else fails, I want you to remember, not only the vows you exchanged today, but remember to never lose hope. Because if it’s love, true love, it will always persevere. Anyway, let’s raise our glasses to Norah and Landon. Love you guys.” He held up his glass, waiting while Norah and Landon kissed, and the wedding guests sipped their champagne.
