Page 18 of A Sudden Romance

When she peeked up, he shook a finger. “I can’t believe you got violent with a stranger.”

“Years of fighting and arguing with eight big brothers and two sisters.” She pointed at him, a broad smile widening his face. “Don’t mess with me.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” His voice was deep, his gaze pinning hers before he looked away and blew out a shaky breath.

“Since we’re discussing songs that bring back memories...” A shy smile teased his lips. “Do you know ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’?” He barely stifled a laugh.

“How could I not know that song?”

“One Christmas when I was in culinary school, I ate so much meat at a friend’s house that I collapsed on his carpet. The task of making my way to the door was a challenge.”

Images of Sabastian at a party floated in her mind as she tried to picture him rolling on someone’s carpet and touching his achy stomach.

“I felt like a hippopotamus—and right on cue, the song played in the background!”

Laughter bubbled in her chest. “No way.”

“Yep. He was more worried I’d throw up on his carpet, and he kept kicking my stomach. That’s what I remember whenever I hear that song.”

She threw back her head, holding her stomach to keep herself from falling off the stool as she howled out laughter.

A sweet promise hung in the air as they took turns mentioning more Christmas songs and the memories attached to them. Having too much fun, she forgot to type the songs so they could add them to the list. Later, she’d have to type in Christmas songs on the computer and sort out their favorites.

When they finished sharing those memories and planning themes for the reunion schedule, she felt closer to Sabastian—a blossoming friendship with someone who’d always been there, but she’d been oblivious to.

By the time the lighting crew left and he suggested they head out early for a detour, she was looking forward to the concert and anticipating an evening with the intriguing chef.

CHAPTER 6

Sabastian drove the interstate as he listened to Iris swoon over the kitten. She was carrying it on her chest, her fingers caressing the cat’s soft black fur. The moment he’d brought the cat from the breeders, Iris wanted the kitten out of the carrier, so she could carry it as they drove to his friend’s house.

“It’s so soft.” She whispered as if afraid to disturb it—or perhaps she was purring herself, tenderness flowing in her voice. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“Girl. They haven’t named her yet.”

“That’s even better.”

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