“I promise to bring him back in one piece.” Ricky pushed Joey’s wheelchair in the opposite direction as if he was in a race, most likely he worried Vanessa would change her mind.
“As usual, you know where you can find us.” Leo winked at Vanessa before hurrying to catch up with them.
“We gotta hurry. They’re about to light the tree. And then you know what that means.” Ricky waggled his brows. “Beer hockey.”
“You ever gonna grow up, Ricky?” Joey asked over his shoulder.
“I work nearly sixty hours a week managing O’Henry’s, I’ve got a wife, two kids, and another on the way. Just give me this, okay?”
“I’m always up for it,” Leo said.
Ricky grinned and continued pushing Joey toward the crowd gathering around the tree and the stage where the band was warming up.
“Hey, there’s Kelsey.” Ricky plowed Joey’s wheelchair through the crowd like he was parting the Red Sea, and Leo followed close behind.
“Joey!” Kelsey gave him a huge hug. “Where’s Vanessa?”
“She’s around here somewhere,” Joey said.
“Well, boys, I come bearing gifts.” Kelsey held open the bag hanging off her shoulder. “No one’s gonna suspect a pregnant woman’s smuggling in beer.” She snickered.
“It’s a Christmas miracle.” Ricky planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek and took the bag.
“Now you boys have fun. But not too much fun,” Kelsey warned. “My husband has promised me at least one dance tonight.”
“We’ll be back before too long,” Joey said.
Kelsey eyed the men suspiciously.
“You have my word,” Leo said.
“I trust Leo, it’s the two of you I’m gonna keep my eyes on.” Kelsey gestured that she’d be watching them.
An annoying screech sounded out through the speakers, causing all attention to be drawn toward the stage. The mayor stood up front, holding a mic in black-gloved hands. Leo shuffled his feet back and forth, attempting to search for Isabella over the heads of the other townspeople.
And then he saw her, a knit beanie on her head and the same white, puffy winter jacket she’d worn in the rental car that first night. The memory of unzipping the jacket and pulling it off her shoulders created a heat within him.
As he checked her out and visualized her from that night, she turned her head in his direction and they made eye contact. It was too late to look away—he’d already been caught.
She smiled wide, showing off bright white teeth, and shuffled through the crowd, making her way toward him and hauling Norah with her. His heart drummed in his chest. He had never felt more awake than at that moment.
“Hey, there’s Izzy,” Kelsey said. She flailed her arms, gesturing for Isabella’s attention, waving her over.
After a few moments, Isabella, Norah, Landon, Finn, and Nina joined them. It should’ve felt more natural, having not only his brother there but Norah and Finn too. He’d been spending so much time with the Whitleys in the last two years, they were as close as family to him. But he selfishly only wanted Isabella there. He wanted her all to himself. Being in such close proximity to her and unable to touch her drove him wild.
“Isabella, you haven’t changed a bit,” Joey said when she gave him a lingering hug.
“Now that’s just mean. I got rid of my crooked teeth since you last saw me. And you’re also now looking at a successful journalist forThe New Yorker.” She straightened, squaring her shoulders.
Joey, Ricky, and Leo all shared a look, brows raised.
“All right then, you hoity-toity, New Yorker,” Joey teased.
“That’s more like it.” Isabella swatted Joey’s shoulder. “So, what are we drinking?”
Joey grinned wordlessly.
“Shh,” Kelsey warned, pressing her finger to her lips. “Mayor Freeman is getting ready to light the tree.”
