Page 65 of A Sudden Romance

“It’s not fair that the organizers won,” one of her brothers whined, but Iris spun in a happy dance. “I wasn’t the judge—and what do you expect? I am the architect. I’d better be the one designing the best houses.”

Two of her nieces were fussy, clinging onto Eric’s legs and needing to be carried, so Joy scooted over to hug Iris. “We gotta get the kids to bed, but I’m glad you won. Your house was cute enough to frame.” She leaned in, brushing her cheek against Iris’s and whispering for her alone. “Now you and Sabastian have a memento of the reunion when you got together.”

Stifling the urge to shush her, Iris glanced at the stove beyond Joy’s shoulder. Was she reading that clock right? Was it truly almost ten? Far too late for the little ones. She kissed her sister-in-law’s cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

Joy’s curls bounced as she shook her head. “We might take tomorrow off to prepare for Sunday.”

“That makes sense.” Eric and Joy were putting on the recreation center Christmas event, though all the siblings would be helping.

Liberty and Bryce said goodbye too to take their kids home. Tessa and Chad waved to everyone, and Iris hugged them before they left.

Mom and Dad called it a night, and so did the aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Iris challenged everyone who wanted to stay up to a game of charades. It was mostly her siblings and three cousins, plus Sabastian, and they gathered in the family room. She sat on the sofa next to Logan’s fiancée, Serafina. Logan beside her entwined his hand with Serafina’s. They’d always been inseparable. Serafina had even turned down their girls’ day outing so she and Logan could go snowshoeing.

Now, Iris’s sisters settled on the L-shaped sofa with three of her brothers, and Sabastian and Nate claimed the fireplace ledge.

Before they could start the game, Julia stretched out her legs and held up a hand. “What’s on for tomorrow? I didn’t see anything planned.”

“Nate has the evening planned, but it’s still your morning. I had a feeling you’d change your mind and come.”

“What do you mean, change her mind about coming?” Hailey eyed Iris, then Julia. “You considered skipping the reunion?”

“Skipping the reunion?” one of their brothers echoed. “Why?”

When another brother chimed in, shocked Julia almost pulled a no-show, the simple question spiraled out of hand.

“I knew you told Mom after I asked you not to.” Julia’s face reddened.

“Are you kidding me?” Iris snorted. What was up with Julia? Why so cranky, and why the accusation?

“You still act like a baby who can’t keep any secrets around here.”

There it was again—baby. Iris’s whole body stiffened. “What’s got you so upset, Sis?” Whatever her sister’s reasons, she wasn’t about to get trampled on today. She pivoted, wagging a finger as anger’s quick burn scorched her chest. “If anyone is acting like the baby in this situation, it’s you. If you didn’t trust me, why call me instead of telling everyone that you wanted to go and spend Christmas with your boyfriend?”

“Julia, you’re dating?” Nate scooted forward on the fireplace. “How come nobody tells me anything in this family?”

“Iris is good at spilling everyone’s secrets,” Julia screeched. “Why don’t you ask Miss Know It All?”

It wasn’t what Julia was saying; it was the way she spoke that made Iris’s blood run cold.

At times, Julia was a rocket that shot in the air without anyone expecting it. And today seemed like one of those days, but it was uncalled for. Iris massaged her temples, trying to block Julia’s snarls.

One time, Hailey had been mad at Iris over a lie Julia had made up. Two Christmases had passed before God intervened and Julia confessed. Then Hailey finally warmed up to Iris. Even Mom’s service projects that she’d set up for them to work out their differences hadn’t helped until Julia apologized.

Iris drew out a breath, wanting to end this, and locked gazes with her prickly sister while letting her open posture entreat her. “What do you want from me?”

Maybe, if Julia opened up, Iris could stop tiptoeing around her for the rest of their time together.

“I want you to get out of my business.” Julia sprang to her feet. The veins in her temples bulged. “I don’t answer to anybody! If it wasn’t for you telling Mom, I wouldn’t be here—and then I’d still have a boyfriend.”

Iris’s chest tightened. Now, was she to blame for Julia’s breakup? Somehow, Iris kept her chin up and her voice even. “Why do you like accusing me?”

A couple of the boys intervened, asking them to put an end to their argument.

Hailey edged up to Julia and got her to sit back down. “Why do you think Iris told Mom anything?”

“Mom called me a gazillion times the day after I spoke to her.” Julia shook a finger toward Iris.

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