Page 17 of Heart on Ice

Relief fills me. “Thank you.” I give her hug, something I know she isn’t a fan of.

“That’s what friends are for. If you need to go away for a bit, just say the word and I’m down. Need to head to Paris for the weekend, shopping always makes me feel better. Maybe Spain, we can drink Sangria and laze on the beach checking out hot Spanish men or we could go to Italy, you will never feel more desired nor wanted than from the men in Italy. It helps the ego.” She chuckles. “Spring break is next week.”

That sounds nice, getting out of New York might be what I need. The thought of going back to school and having everyone look at me with pity makes me sick. Also, the thought of running into Pierre again fills me with dread because I don’t know if I’m strong enough to say no to him, and that scares me.

“I’m in.”

Harper stills. “Excuse me, what did you say?”

“I said I’m in. Let’s go to Europe. Screw school, screw hockey players, screw everything.”

“You’re being serious.”

“Yes.”

And I never came back.It was the best decision for me. Some might call it running away from my problems, namely Pierre, but it seemed like a problem for him not me. A clean break was for the best.

“Sweetheart,are you having fun over there?” my father asks.

“I love it here,” I gush, who wouldn’t? The sunshine, the partying, the hot men with accents.

“You’re sounding happier, that’s for sure.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

“I am. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” I swallow the knot in my stomach churning inside of me. “I want to transfer schools.”

“What!”

That’s what I thought he would say, but I came prepared. “Please, hear me out.”

“You want to change schools all because of some insignificant guy? No. I won’t allow it. You need to come home and be with your family,” he argues with me.

“Papa, please listen. I can transfer easily to a school in London, I can work in the London office. Wouldn’t it be good to have an Alessi keeping an eye on things over here? Wouldn’t I be getting a broader education on the business if I learn how the entire company runs, not just how the American side does?” Silence falls between us. This is good, it means he’s thinking it over.

“You know nothing about European sports.”

“Then wouldn’t it be good if I learned all about them? I’ll happily start back down as an intern again and work my way up,” I plead with him. There are a couple of gruff huffs. “I could live in our apartment here, go to school, learn about a new side of the business, be your eyes and ears over here.”

“You are making a compelling argument, Isabelle.” Yes. I knew if I spoke to him from a business point of view ratherthan an emotional one, he would see it my way. “And this isn’t because of a boy?” he asks.

“It may have started off like that, but I love it here. It would only be until I finish my studies and then I’ll come right back home.”

“What about your sisters? They will miss you,” he asks.

“They hardly see me now as it is. They’re both growing up and doing their own things, they don’t want to hang out with me. If they do need me, it’s only a six-hour flight. I will come home for holidays, birthdays, and anytime you need me.”

“I don’t like this. You are all alone in a city that you don’t know,” he states.

“That’s what I love, no one knows the Alessi name here, I can be normal.”

“Is it that bad being an Alessi?” he asks, sounding hurt.

“No, I love it. It’s just that people know who you are there. Sometimes people try to be my friend because they think they can get tickets to the bowl or the Cup, or as an athlete they can get a deal from you. I’m always on edge, wondering if people like me for me or for what they can get from me or from you.”

“I had no idea.”

“It’s not your fault, it’s how the world works. It’s just nice knowing I can meet people, and they like me for me, not the season tickets I have access to,” I explain.

“You’re my firstborn, sweetheart. I will miss you,” he confesses to me.

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