Page 4 of A Sudden Romance

She needed a thank-you gift for Sabastian. He had better things to do than pick her up from the airport. He not only cooked mouthwatering gourmet meals for her family but also oversaw The Peak maintenance team and hired all the contractors for any house projects.

He’d worked at The Peak for years—long enough to be a part of their family. He was shy, which was fine. People had different personalities, but he seemed quieter around her, though she’d never felt compelled to discover why.

She passed the hoodies and folded T-shirts before a shelf on the wall caught her attention. Lots of souvenirs, everything nicely shelved, including the snacks and drinks on the opposite wall.

Not seeing anything fit for a chef, she bought a detailed Boston snow globe displaying the skyline and city landmarks. With the brownstones picturesque and unique, even Sabastian should find it fascinating. If he didn’t, the thought was what counted.

Just as she stepped out of the gift shop, a vaguely familiar handsome man in the sea of people caught her attention. He was walking in her direction. Maybe because he was taller than all the people around him, but something about him made it hard for her to look away.

If his eyes found her in the crowd, then this could be the sign from God she was waiting for.

The man’s gaze flickered to her, and as he smiled, her body grew warm, especially when his gaze held hers. He looked so familiar.

She smiled back, gripped her handbag, then stepped to the side, and waited until he approached the gift shop entrance.

“You’re Nate’s sister.” His blue eyes were warm when he stopped in front of her and put out his hand. “Iris, right?”

He knew her name? Her heart swelled and suddenly the NASCAR event came to mind, one of Nate’s races they’d attended last summer.

Oh yes. He’d watched the race with her and her family, and they all went to the swanky restaurant together.

Accepting his offered hand, she said, “I remember you paid for our dinner at the seafood place in Daytona.”

He gave her a strong handshake and a heart-stopping smile. “Best views and seafood in town—though I might be biased. You see, I own the restaurant, among many other seafood restaurants in North America. But we met before that. I was at your family reunion three years ago.”

“Oh my. I’m afraid I don’t remember seeing you.” The heat on her face deepened. “Please forgive me, but our reunions tend to be crowded, especially when family members invite friends on the friends-and-family days.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He waved his free hand. “I’m Grey, by the way.”

“What brings you to Boston?”

“I was looking for you.” His voice light, he winked. He didn’t seem much older than Nate’s thirty-five. “No, actually, I was sampling food from three different local chefs.”

“I assume you’re a food critic besides a restaurant owner?”

“A taster, at times.” He grinned as he shifted his briefcase to his other hand.

As he spoke about his line of seafood sauces sold in stores worldwide, his vineyard in Spain, and the cooking show he hosted there in the spring, a daunting familiarity of that June reunion resurfaced. Nate had told Grey about Iris designing the restaurant when Grey gave his vision of what Nate’s restaurant should look like. Either Mom or Dad had asked Grey about his experience in the restaurant industry when he relayed the same information. Grey was the reason her brother, a famous race car driver, owned successful five-star restaurants across the country.

“I spoke to Nate yesterday,” Grey said. “I hear you’re hosting a winter reunion this time.”

Iris nodded. “That’s where I’m headed.”

“I’ll be in Pleasant View next week. I’m meeting two chefs there and three more in nearby towns. We have a televised event in Vail, and I’m helping preselect the chefs.”

“You’re going all the way to Pleasant View to look for cooks?”

“Only because Pleasant View is one of my favorite places to ski.”

“Oh? You love skiing? I definitely prefer to ski in Pleasant View.”

“Vail gets crowded.”

“That it does, and that can limit the fun. So it appears we have something in common.”

“Maybe we’ll run into each other.” He shrugged, opening then closing his mouth.

Pleasant View was a small town, but some areas like The Peak were spread far apart from the community, making it hard to bump into anybody, especially if she intended to stay at her parents’ house.

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