Page 38 of A Sudden Romance

“Grey and Fox liked it too.”

Sabastian moved to the far counter, leaned back, and peered at the sweeping Christmas tree and the pretend presents stacked artfully beneath it. Wrapped in fancy bows and shimmery paper, the present-box decorations looked enticing until you investigated the fake contents. Empty. Just a façade. That was how he felt without Iris. He was chasing after her. Every moment spent with her was a promise of precious gifts waiting to be opened. Soon, though, after she’d shaken him up and rattled him around, she’d discard him when she discovered he was just an empty box. Instead, she’d reach for the right man, someone who could give her everything her heart desired—deserved.

Where would that leave him? Packed away with other mementos of this year? Or slit down the sides, crushed, and flattened for throwaway?

“Sabastian?”

Oh. He snapped out of his daze. Then he remembered her comment.

“I’m not so sure they liked my food any differently than other chefs.” Grey was more interested in Iris. No doubt, she was the entire reason he’d agreed to come. “I don’t care if they didn’t like it.”

She frowned. “Why would you say that?”

He grabbed one of the plates from the sink and turned on the water.

She walked into the kitchen. The soft scent of roses announced the minimal distance between them, even without him turning around. “Let me help you with the dishes.”

“Don’t you have work to get done?”

His sharp tone caught him off guard. Uh-oh, the burning jealousy had crept into his heart. He jerked his gaze to her, wincing at the confusion flickering in her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Tenderness flowed in his heart. He should be glad she was talking to him at all. But he needed to be alone right now, even if just to bandage his fingers. Luckily, they weren’t bruised, but his battered heart was threatening to fall apart. “I’ve got the dishes. If it’s okay, can I just—”

“I’m meeting with Grey for coffee on Friday.”

“That’s great.” He gritted his teeth as he turned off the water.

She toyed with an earring. Her earlobe was so dainty. “It’s just coffee.”

You don’t even drink coffee. “You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“I’ll be back in time to head to Leo’s house.”

“Don’t worry about Leo.”

Her brows rose as if saying a silent, “What’s your problem?”

Well, he had lots of problems. Her, for one.

He couldn’t get her out of his mind, his blood, and his future. He turned on the water and picked up a plate and brush, determined to ignore her.

How was he supposed to compete with a wealthy man?

He didn’t have to turn around to know she’d left. He could tell by the shift in the air, the emptiness in his chest.

His heart ached—worse this time than it had been over the years he hadn’t talked to her. He needed to bake or cook anything sweet or salty to soften the sourness rising up his throat. He felt good in Iris’s presence, but now, when she vacated the place, bitterness invaded the emptiness she left. What an odd but realistic combination for his life.

---