Page 94 of Love on Ice

“I know,” Felix replies.

Then his brother looks over and sees me, his dark brow raises. “Hey, Harper, long time since I’ve seen you.” I give him a wave.

“You know Harper?” Collette asks, looking confused.

“She’s best friends with Issy,” he answers.

“And we went to high school and college together,” I add.

“Why isn’t Issy here?” Joelle asks.

“You invited her and her sisters, didn’t you?” Collette asks.

“Yes, after the funeral,” Pierre answers grumpily as he rubs the back of his neck, just like Felix does when he’s feeling nervous.

“And?” Collette pushes.

“They can’t make it,” he answers gruffly. “Felix, let me show you around,” he says, grabbing his brother by the shoulders and pulling him inside. His mother gives me a small smile and follows.

“He still loves Issy, you know,” Joelle states.

“Excuse me?” I turn and stare at her, surprised by her comment.

“I knew they were dating. I saw them together one summer when I came to stay at their place in The Hamptons. I think you were there, too.”

“I’d completely forgotten about that, yes.”

“I wasn’t there because I was too young,” Collette adds.

“So, you all knew Issy and Pierre dated?”

“Mom doesn’t and I don’t think Felix does,” Jo states.

“I may have accidentally told him,” I confess to her, which makes them laugh.

“He freaked out, didn’t he?” Jo chuckles when I nod.

“Why do you think he’s still in love with her?” I ask.

“He never got over her moving to London during college,” Joelle explains.

“Because he was being a cheating asshole,” I bite out. “Sorry, that’s your brother.”

Joelle waves my apology away. “He told me. He knew he fucked up and thought he would give her space, but then she went no contact, and that turned into over a decade. Each year that passed I think he thought it was too late until, here we are.”

“After Issy’s dad’s funeral, he came back home and was a mess. It caused so much friction between him and Kitty.” Collette grimaces saying Kitty’s name. “He was having second thoughts about the wedding.”

“No,” I gasp.

Collette nods. “He was so confused after seeing Issy again.”

“I know Issy was pretty messed up after seeing him,” I add.

“You think she still has feelings for him?” Joelle asks.

“She didn’t come to the wedding,” I answer tactfully.

“Shit. Is that why?” Collette asks.