Page 45 of A Sudden Romance

She’d almost forgotten why she’d come.

Standing near the guitar, he motioned for her to take a seat on the immaculate gray sofa so well camouflaged to her flooring. Beside it, a curved rock statement wall offered partial privacy for the office. Hidden backlighting pulsed along its features, giving the impression of a waterfall flowing between the rooms. Beyond that, his computer screen’s changing background images cast a glow to the dark office, likely family photos, though she didn’t stare long enough to be sure. Instead, she needed to compose herself and figure out what she was supposed to say and how.

“I’m okay. Thanks.” She didn’t come all this way to sit.

“You should be eating dinner right now.”

“Huh.” Hilarious if he thought she could’ve eaten without choking after what he put her through today. She stood next to the sofa, a bit closer to him so he could hear her. “If you can skip dinner, I can skip a meal too.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re okay?”

She shrugged, replaying her day, especially the afternoon when she’d tried to call him, then rushed back to The Peak at two thirty, hoping he’d returned from snowboarding. He hadn’t.

She planted a hand on her hip. “You didn’t answer or return any of my calls today.”

He patted his shorts pockets as if looking for his phone. “Oh. I haven’t looked at my phone since one.”

About the time she’d been at the coffee shop. Even if she wasn’t a good cook, she’d broken a promise. As if her feet had a mind of their own, she crossed to him and poked at his chest. “I don’t know about you, but I take my promises seriously.” Crossing her arms, she took a step back. “I told Leo and his family I’d be there to cook. But you didn’t answer my calls, and I didn’t know how to get to his house.”

“Oh.” He scratched the stubble on his jaw, frowning. “You had a date.”

“Coffee.” She’d asked him on Thursday what time they’d be leaving for Leo’s house today and he’d claimed he didn’t know. Now both of them hadn’t shown up.

“I’m assuming you let your friend down too?”

“I went and cooked.” Thrusting his hands in his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. “I didn’t stay for the party.”

Air whooshed from her lungs. “At least, you didn’t leave them hanging.”

With that somewhat settled, she’d still have Sabastian take her back to Leo’s family so she could apologize. Now, she had another matter to address.

“I don’t understand you.” She stepped back to the sofa and plunked onto the armrest. “One minute, you’re all sweet.” Like he desperately wanted to kiss her. “And the next, you act as if you’re about to throw stones at me.”

His chest rose and fell as he drew out a breath. He rubbed the back of his neck, shoved his hands back into his pockets, and scowled at the floor. “I don’t know what you want from me, Iris.”

“Excuse me?” Although her name rolled off his tongue like he was tasting a fancy dish, his statement wouldn’t stand up. “Isn’t that the question I should be asking?”

Still not meeting her gaze, he eyed the shelves of potted herbs awaiting the morning sun by the kitchen window. “I don’t have time to play games.”

Seriously? He had to know he was the one playing games. She ground her teeth against the urge to move into his space and capture his chin to force him to look at her. Instead, she sprang to her feet. “You think I have time to play your games? At least I’m here trying to find out what’s going on in your head. I don’t read codes, Sabastian. I need you to use your words instead of sulking.”

“It’s not easy for some of us to talk to anyone like you do.”

“How would you know it’s easy for me?”

“I know.” He raised his chin and peeked at her. His soft brown eyes gleamed.

After overthinking Joy’s comment, Iris had discovered some things—little things she’d ignored, probably because she had a different idea of the man she was supposed to fall for.

Silence passed between them as Sabastian looked at her with the same heated gaze she’d caught from him before.

“Would you like to tell me why you know all my favorite foods?” Please don’t say it’s just your job!

He shrugged and ducked his head.

“How did you know tulips are my favorite flowers?” That isn’t your job like cooking our meals.

Sabastian remained silent, his hands still shoved in his pockets.

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