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ISABELLA FELT AS THOUGH her tummy might be on the brink of exploding! So much delicious food, wine and merriment – the world was bright and perfect. It was most perfect of all though because of the revelation she’d had the night before, the secret kernel of knowledge she carried in her heart, that she loved Gabe.
She slipped away from the salon, where board games were being played by adults and children alike, needing a moment to herself. She also needed to record a video for her followers, wishing them a happy holidays.
She’d barely thought of her online community in the last few days, and guilt at that betrayal made her determined to film a lovely clip and post it right away. She just needed a private space to record something, a room that didn’t show too much décor – it was important to respect the Montebellos’
privacy.
Finally, she found a lovely sitting room with windows that looked out onto the stunning pool area. She sat at the window seat with the light on her face, angling the camera so it framed only her head and a hint of wallpaper behind her, and began to talk. She spoke in the way she always had – open and honest – her online community incredibly important to her. It was just a quick message, a few minutes. She watched it back once, then uploaded it, waiting for the video to clear, enjoying the peace and quiet of the room until voices punctuated it.
“For God’s sake, just leave it alone.” Gabe’s exasperation was easy to hear. She frowned, leaning towards the windows a little, until she could see him, standing out by the pool. His back was to her, so she couldn’t see his face, but she could tell he was talking to one of his brothers, Nico and his body language was tense, shoulders taut, back straight.
“Not while you’re being so stupid.”
“What’s with you guys? First Luca and Max, then Raf, and now you? Is this some effort to indoctrinate me into the ‘happily married’ club before sunset?”
“I’d settle for the ‘happy in life’ club, to be honest,” Raf fired back.
“I’m fine. Stop worrying about me.”
“For the first time in years, I can almost believe you when you say that.”
There was a static pause, filled with sparks of tension. Isabella knew she should leave; it was wrong to eavesdrop. But something kept her bottom glued to the window seat.
“You do seem fine, or as close to it as you’ve been in a long time. And obviously it’s because of her.”
Pleasure spread through Isabella’s chest. She held her breath.
“Leave it.” Gabe’s irritation was obvious; it brought a crooked smile to Isabella’s face. It was so like him to want to defend his – their – privacy.
“You don’t get it. I know how hard it is for any of us to open up and find love. I had it right in front of me and almost let it – her – go. Maddie was such a gift and I couldn’t see that. It’s not easy for any of us to get our heads around the idea of love, but least of all you. You’ve been determined to shut people out since the accident but I can tell she’s different. You’re different around her.”
“That’s just your wishful thinking. Everyone wants me to be different, miraculously healed or whatever. Is it so hard for you to accept that I don’t want that?”
“Oh, I know that,” Nico murmured. “I understand your determination to live life in some kind of self-imposed purgatory, but Isabella’s woken you up from that. You have a chance to be happy. But not if you let her walk away.”
“I’m not ‘letting’ her do anything,” Gabe grunted. “She has work commitments in the States. She has to leave.”
“Sure, but what about after that? Does she fly back to Australia? You never see her again? Is that really what you want?”
“Why does this matter? Why does everyone need to interrogate me about this?”
“Because we love you,” Nico said simply, and tears sparkled on Isabella’s lashes. She was glad Gabe had this family – a family that wouldn’t let him keep his head in the sand and exist the way he had been indefinitely.
“And because I think you love her.”
“You’re wrong.” The denial was swift and certain, like the slicing of a blade through Isabella’s chest. She stayed where she was now out of morbid curiosity. “She means nothing to me.”
“Oh, really?”
“Isabella’s great. She’s been a welcome distraction at a time I find it difficult to function, but that’s all. A beautiful, pleasing distraction. If you’re looking for something more meaningful between us, it’s because of your hopes for me, not my reality.”
Her blood felt as though it was filled with ice.
“You’re so full of it,” Nico shook his head.
Isabella closed her eyes, sucking in a deep breath.
“No, you are, and everyone else who imagines there’s some great big romance at play. Isabella showed up on my doorstep in the middle of a blizzard. What was I meant to do? Throw her out? Believe me, I would have if I possibly could.”
