Page 55 of Eight Days of Christmas
“Sorry for intruding on your ladies night,” Landon apologized.
“It’s not a ladies night. It’s a bachelorette party. But whatever, it’s fine.” She started to saunter away, an extra sashay in her step, but…
“Can’t wait to hear what you chose to sing,” Leo said, his voice a rumbling tone that hit her low in her belly. “Any of my favorites?”
Isabella twirled around. Leo’s alluring dark eyes made it impossible to not be captivated. “Probably not.”
“Let me guess, ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman’? I know you always loved that one.”
Her face heated. “I did.” She dipped her chin to her chest. “You remember.” It came out like a question.
“Ooo what about, ‘Endless Love’?” Norah interrupted. “Izzy said that used to be your song.”
“Norah.” Isabella groaned, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her skin felt sweltering. Why was it so hot in here?
Norah shrugged a shoulder. “C’mon, it’ll be fun.”
Isabella fiddledwith the pendant dangling from her neck. It felt like it was about a thousand degrees in the bar with too many intrusive eyes on her and Leo.
Clearing his throat—and drawing her attention—Leo mumbled, “I know I wouldn’t mind hearing you sing that song.” He smiled, bringing his beer bottle to those luscious lips.
Isabella’s heart shifted in her chest. She rested a hip against the guys’ table, leaning in closer to Leo. “Just how many beers have you had tonight?”
Because he must be drunk if he wanted her to sing that song.
Theirsong.
“Who me?” His brows lifted. “This is my first. How many have you had? That’s the question. We both know what alcohol does to you.” He winked, and his intense gaze fixed on her.
Her already overheated skin ignited, and her limbs felt weak.
Fine. He wanted to flirt? To take a stroll down memory lane?
Two could play at this game.
“I dare you to sing with me,” she said. “After me and the ladies are done.’
He looked like a deer in headlights. Leo never could say no to a dare, and when the guys started laughing and ribbing him about singing, Isabella knew she had him exactly where she wanted him.
“You in?”
Landon elbowed his brother, wearing a bright smile. “Yeah man. You in?”
Leo rolled his eyes and glared at Isabella. “You are evil.”
She fluttered her eyelashes. “I do try.” Isabella tugged her sister’s arm, pulling her back toward the girls. “C’mon, Norah.” She couldn’t help but shoot a seductive smile over her shoulder at Leo though. “See you in a bit. Can’t wait to hear those rusty pipes.”
The girls were up next. The organizer called them onto the stage. Isabella downed half of her third beer before she hustled up the step. She hadn’t done this since she was eighteen. Back with Kelsey, Ricky, Leo, and Joey Moretti.
The four other women followed her, plucking microphones from the stands and waiting for the song to begin. Isabella’s body stiffened while butterflies thrashed around in her stomach and a couple dozen sets of eyes focused in on her.
The words popped on the screen and the music played through the speakers for “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston. The women sang the entire song, even adlibbing some dance steps as well. They missed a few words here and there because they’d been too busy laughing. But they had fun. And it was good to be with Norah and laugh with her. To see her happy.
Isabella missed this. Her heart missed this.
When the song ended, she hopped off the stage as applause filled the bar. People fist-bumped and high-fived the women as they weaved their way back to their table. Isabella breathed heavily, her body hot from adrenaline.
But she didn’t have much time to rest before her and Leo’s names were called in a tinny voice through the microphone. The organizer had scheduled her sets back-to-back. She snatched Taylor’s beer from the table and took a long swig.
