Page 42 of Heart on Ice

I push aside her empty plate and pull her into my arms as she cries. Issy is still dealing with the death of her father, and my being around is making her realize how much she’s lost. I never meant to cause her pain or make things worse for her. I wanted to be here for my own selfish reasons, which was I can’t stop thinking about our kiss. But now I see what she needs is for me to be her friend.

I can do that. I’m going to do that. I owe her that.

“Morning,”Issy says sheepishly as she walks into the kitchen and heads over to the coffee machine. “I’m sorry about last night. I don’t normally get that drunk.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. Hope you had a great night with the girls. Felix texted and said Harper was a little worse for wear this morning, too,” I tell her as I shovel eggs into my mouth. Issy nods. She feels awkward now as she sips her coffee slowly. I know how much she hates showing vulnerability in front of people. All her life she has been the strong one so when that façade falls, she’s embarrassed.

“Guess, um, I’m going to get ready and head to the office.” She finishes her espresso and bolts from the kitchen.

“Issy,” I call out as I follow after her. “You don’t have to be awkward around me now.”

She chews her nail. “I cried myself to sleep in your arms, of course it’s awkward.”

“You were missing your dad and having a down moment, most humans do,” I reassure her.

“Guess I’m used to crying alone,” she confesses.

“Do you do that often?” I ask. She nods. Dammit, I feel for her. “You don’t have to cry alone anymore, you’ve got me,” I tell her.

“For the week,” she adds with a smile.

“Yes, for the week. Which reminds me, I should probably start looking for somewhere for me and Frankston to move into.”

Issy bites her bottom lip. “That might be hard when no one knows you’re here or that you and Kitty have broken up. If you need to stay a little longer, that’s fine. Also, you don’t know if you are staying in New York.”

My mouth forms a wide smile. “Really?” I’m shocked. I thought she was counting down the days for me to go. I’ve seen the app on her phone.

“Frankston probably wouldn’t cope well with another move.”

“No, he wouldn’t,” I say.

“You have enough on your plate at the moment. Adding looking for an apartment while you’re in hiding might be too much,” she suggests.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“It’s all good. Look, I must get ready for work. Fingers crossed Bill comes to the party today,” she says. I give her a nod, and she bounces back up the stairs.

The front dooropens not long after Issy leaves. “Did you forget something?” I call out as Frankston runs to welcome Issy home again. Then I hear screaming, and it’s not Issy. I get up and rush into the foyer to see Violetta Alessi getting assaulted by my dog.

“Get off me, ew, stop licking me.” She squeals, trying to get away from Frankston.

“Frankston, heel,” I command, and he stops and rushes to my side.

“Pierre? What the hell are you doing in my sister’s home?” She looks around and panic falls across her face. “What did you do to Issy? Do I need to call the cops? Aren’t you supposed to be in Italy getting married?”

I guess Issy has not informed her sisters that I’m staying here.

“About that,” I say, rubbing my neck, “Kitty and I are no longer together.”

Violetta’s mouth falls open. “Did you leave her at the altar for Issy?”

“What! No. Why would you think that?”

“Um, because you are in my sister’s home with no clothes on instead of on your honeymoon,” she states as if I’m the idiot. “Why the hell are you in my sister’s home? She hates you.”

“She did. We’re friends now.”

“Have you lost your ever-loving mind?” Violetta glares at me.

---