Page 85 of A Sudden Romance

He’d worn it every day since she left. It was high time he washed it, but he wasn’t ready to part with her perfume. Or with her radiant smile or her genuine love given unconditionally. Love he didn’t deserve. Love he’d lost in one day—one evening—because of fear.

The morning after she’d stormed from his car, he’d woken up ready to take his words back. But, after knocking several times on her room door and receiving no response, he’d gone to his room and called the landline in her room. When she didn’t answer, it registered that the hotel had a shuttle service and she might have left. Then the front desk confirmed his suspicions.

He tried to call her, but she didn’t answer.

He could call her again, but how would he explain his harsh words?

“You were terrified to step outside of your comfort zone. What better way to confront your fears than being on TV?” Her words rang clear ever since that night she’d walked out of his car and his life, leaving his borrowed jacket on her seat. “I get it. You’re scared, but that shouldn’t hinder you from trying. God’s the one we turn to any time we need answers. I thought you knew that, Sabastian.”

“Yes. I should’ve turned to You, God.”

What he wouldn’t give to have her back! Fear was now the least of his problems. After sulking over the show’s rejection, he realized their random ingredients and time limits gave him what he needed to test his ability to think creatively and quickly. He’d declined the show’s invitation to Vegas on standby. Without Iris, nothing else mattered.

While “The Winter Showdown” made him second-guess his career, it also emboldened him to jump out of the airplane. He’d done something he never would’ve if it weren’t for Iris. Swapping careers wasn’t an option unless it led him back to her.

One evening, he found himself staring at the globe she’d given him. He looked at Boston captured under glass and wondered what she was doing, whether she thought about him, maybe even missed him?

She could miss him, but he’d broken her trust. He’d do anything, even the scariest thing, if it meant he could be with her.

At the recollection of all the scariest things in his life, terror seized him like a weapon to tear him apart. Not having Iris in his life was the one thing he feared most.

Then early this week, he’d spent hours online browsing through hotels and restaurants in Boston that were hiring. He didn’t care if he was a janitor or greeter as long as he stayed close to Iris.

None of the three companies he’d submitted his résumés to had yet to call him back, but he’d keep trying as he arranged for his replacement at The Peak.

He closed his eyes. Still, her statements circled like a never-ending chain.

“Relationships are more important than money. No money could take your place.”

“Money isn’t the answer to everything.... I thought you understood me....”

“You’re using money against me.”

“Against us.” His muscles tensed, and he balled his hand, slamming it on the counter. Why had he pushed her away? “Why?”

“Oh, amigo.”

He jerked at the deep voice and its lilting Spanish accent.

Leo emerged from the north side hallway leading to the guest house. “You’re punching things. Not good.”

Sabastian all but rolled his eyes. He tried to let out a breath to calm his spiked heartbeat. “A text that you’re headed this way would’ve been helpful.”

“Is that so?” Leo turned his Bronco’s hat backward, getting the bill out of his way, his dark hair peeking beneath it.

“Cheese sandwiches okay for you guys?” Sabastian still had no idea what he was making.

“You don’t have to make us lunch when we’re getting paid.”

“Doesn’t seem I have anything better to do.” Besides thinking about Iris. He crouched, opened the lower cabinet, and retrieved a griddle. Grilled cheese and tomato soup, it was.

Coming closer, Leo leaned his beefy forearms on the counter. “Have you decided to go to Vegas?”

“It’s not for me.” Sabastian reached for the dish towel and wiped the griddle. He didn’t want to talk about his fate. The hotel and restaurants he’d applied to didn’t think he was capable, either. They’d probably deleted his résumé.

Leo had watched the event on TV and called to congratulate him when Sabastian’s mind had been fuzzy after he’d cut Iris out of his life. It hadn’t taken Leo much to figure out something had happened between Sabastian and Iris.

“Have you called her yet?”

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