Page 7 of A Sudden Romance

ALMOST TWO AND A HALF hours later, he sat in his Hyundai Tucson in the lit airport garage, drumming his fingers on the leather steering wheel. With his heart pumping so hard, he could feel his pulse through his body. Good thing Iris had told him to stay in the parking lot, saying she didn’t want to be pampered. He might have disregarded her and gone in to carry her luggage, but he needed the time to compose himself.

His chest rose and fell as he breathed in, then breathed out, before rehearsing the words.

“How was your trip?” That simple question should be a conversation starter. He could do this. So he’d never had a real girlfriend. That was another story for another time, if he made it through today.

Having a designated spot close to the door helped him see people walking out of the airport with their luggage, some sliding into the waiting cars at the entrance. Beyond the covered garage, snow continued to fall. It wasn’t a lot, but it hadn’t stopped since noon. Daylight was fading, but with the security lights on the building and the garage, everything remained bright and clear.

The Stone family was respected in the community because of their generosity and financial contributions to local businesses. Even at the airport, they had designated parking spots.

He clasped his hands and glanced at the thermos he’d bought at the coffee shop when he’d ordered Iris the almond steamer. Like most of her family members, she didn’t drink coffee because of Logan’s childhood trauma. As for the tulips wrapped in the transparent bouquet bag, giving them to her wasn’t a good idea.

“God, please help me not mess things up before anything has even started.” Seeing her through the rearview mirror, he cut the prayer short. Despite the people waiting with her to cross the road as cars drove past, Iris’s distinctive features made her stand out. She was dressed in designer jeans, a dark top, and a yellow coat. A natural brunette, but Sabastian didn’t have to look at her short hair to know she had highlights of some sort.

The vibrant smile spreading across her face made him wonder why and who she was smiling at. She crossed the road and started toward the car.

With his palms sweating, he shoved the flowers below the passenger seat. Just in case she sat in front rather than the back. He then swung open the door and stepped out as she approached.

“Sabastian.”

Her face was brighter than the garage lights when she left her luggage and strode to him with open arms.

Instead of savoring the moment as she greeted him with a brief warm embrace, he battled an erratic heartbeat. His nerves were coursing through his veins when her scarf brushed against his neck. Her subtle scent of roses teased his senses. “Thank you so much for picking me up.”

“Um... yeah.” Breathe. He had to remember to breathe as he stepped out of the hug and pointed toward her luggage, then grabbed it, and opened the trunk to put it in. He needed an escape ASAP.

Whenever he was near Iris, he was stuck between wanting to talk to her and needing to run away and hide under a blanket forever. Unfortunately, there was no blanket, and she probably sensed his unease because, by the time he closed the trunk, she was already in the car—the passenger seat.

When he sat in the driver seat and started the car, his mind went blank. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.

Iris pulled something out of her teal handbag, a brown bag with a logo, and lifted it toward him. “I got you something.”

Me? He gaped at the bag, then stammered. “Th–thanks.” He then all but snatched the bag from her, his hands shaking. The garage lights streamed into the car, likely highlighting his trembling, but maybe she wouldn’t notice. That’d be so off-putting from a guy who someday wanted to spill his feelings for her.

“You don’t have to open it now.” She gentled her voice, clearly noticing his unsteadiness. “I just wanted to thank you for picking me up.”

He’d do anything for her. But when he tried to open his mouth to tell her she didn’t have to buy him a present, the words couldn’t roll off his tongue. He reached into the back and set the bag down before grabbing the thermos and handing it to her.

“A drink. Hot.” This was bad. How awful. He couldn’t even form a simple sentence.

“You got me a hot chocolate?”

“Almond...” He couldn’t remember the beverage. He put the car in reverse and drove out of the parking lot.

“Did you make this?” she asked, no doubt wondering why he brought a thermos, but he’d bought it at the coffee shop and had them fill it with the beverage.

“Store. I didn’t do...” The heat of embarrassment flooded his entire body as if he were sitting on hot coals.

“You’re so sweet. Thank you.” Through the corner of his eye, he could see her tilting the cup to her mouth. “I love vanilla almond steamers.”

“I know.” What? Why did that come out too fast? “I mean... Uh...” He stammered again. “You’re good.”

Just shut up and don’t say another word. He clamped his mouth and turned on the interstate.

Iris continued to sip her drink as she gazed at the snow through her window, but now and then, he sensed her looking at him.

He wanted to turn on the radio, any music to drown this silence, but that, too, would seem awkward. She might assume he was already bored by her presence.

“I just love snow.” She spoke cheerily, taking in the mountain scenery they drove past. She always lit up at the sight of sunrise, sunset, and anything nature threw at her. God had to be pleased with her for appreciating His handiwork.

---