Page 16 of A Sudden Romance

Gone was his flannel. His broad shoulders stretched out the long-sleeved white T-shirt he’d probably been wearing underneath it earlier. With his sleeves rolled up, she peeked at his strong forearms when he rested his hands on the table.

He cleared his throat. “I updated the list yesterday morning. If anything is missing, I can always grab my computer.”

“This should get us started.” She tapped the spreadsheet with the dates December 16 through 22. “Everyone should be here on Tuesday the sixteenth, and we’ll plan a group dinner for that night. Julia isn’t coming, but if no one else cancels, we’ll still have just over eighty people.” Which was less than the summer reunions.

Sabastian slid onto the stool beside hers. “Did I already mention Eric scheduled his event for the Recreation Center?”

“Yes. He updated me on his assignment too. But I don’t feel right letting him do the whole thing. The entire family should be in charge of the community Christmas party at the recreation center. I guess we’re serving food then?”

“And helping with crafts for the kids’ activities.”

Eric had built the town’s recreation center to benefit the community. In a tourist town, things were overpriced, so he wanted a place where the locals could afford to hang out.

“Does that mean we have to hire decorators for the community center?” She hadn’t asked for the details of what she and Sabastian were supposed to do before the event.

“Everything’s taken care of. We just need to show up and interact with people, serving them in any way.”

Of course, Eric already had food and decorators for the center taken care of. She swiped the iPad to the theme of their events. Both Eric and Sabastian were more on top of things than she was. “I see you emailed everyone to bring their ugly Christmas sweaters.”

He nodded, a shy smile curling the corners of his mouth. “I’ll have to shop for a sweater, but I like that idea.”

“Should we plan anything the day people arrive?”

“We’d better let everyone settle in. Like they’ve done in the previous reunions. We’ll just do a family dinner that night for anyone who wants to attend. But what if we decorate the main tree on the seventeenth?”

“That’s a great idea.” She typed his suggestion on the calendar for the seventeenth, the day after everyone arrived.

“That might also be a good day to sing Christmas carols,” he added.

She scrolled down the list and didn’t see Christmas carols. She then looked back to Sabastian, amazed he suggested them. An incredible idea.

“I know that’s not on the list—”

“I love it. Maybe we can have a hot chocolate bar.” Her chest rose as she could almost smell the cinnamon and mint.

“We’d better have cookies to go with it.”

“That could be our day to cook.” She pointed at him, already anticipating having the best cookies anyone ever tasted. She’d paired up with a chef, so yay! She’d outcompete her siblings in past reunions. Every organizer was required to prepare a meal or dessert once during the seven-day reunion.

“We can’t just settle for cookies if you want to compete.” Sabastian’s eyes lit up with a challenge as he suggested different dinner options they’d make with the cookies.

Cookies alone for that many people would take them an entire day. She winced. “I’m not sure we want to stand in the kitchen all day.”

He scratched his stubble. “It’s easy. I’ll have the dough made and refrigerated ahead of time.”

“I forgot I’m talking to a talented chef.” She waved at him, and he gripped the back of his neck, ducking his head as color singed his neck.

“Anyone can cook.”

“Have you already forgotten the amateur chef you directed this morning?”

He let out a soft chuckle, enough to expose his white and straight teeth.

“You should laugh often.” She found herself saying. “You have a great laugh.” And those nice teeth deserved to be seen.

“Thanks.” He lifted his chin and held her gaze. Tender brown eyes searched hers. He rarely looked at her, especially that way.

Her stomach quivered and flapped with wings. Wait, were those butterflies? She jerked her gaze to her iPad.

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