Page 72 of A Sudden Romance

“Iris is twenty-nine.” Mom shrugged, not seeming affected by the news. “Sabastian, thirty-two.”

“Still...” Dad’s gaze fell on the glittering Christmas tree without seeming to see it. “Sabastian is trying to figure out his career.”

“Dad, we’re not getting married. We’re just dating.” They were dating, weren’t they? It sure felt like it after how they’d opened up to each other and shared passionate kisses. Whatever they were, she had to have a term for it when relaying their relationship to Dad.

“Do you know how hard it must have been for quiet Sabastian to come and talk to you about us?”

Mom nodded. “I respect him for that.”

“He’s a good kid.” Dad ran a hand through his hair. His gaze flickered to the wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. “Just don’t rush into things.”

“Don’t worry, Daddy.” What was Iris supposed to say when she had no idea what her future with Sabastian would be after she returned to Boston on January 2?

Which was also Sabastian’s cooking event. She’d better reschedule her flight and the strategy meeting she had on the third.

At least now that her parents knew, she didn’t have to hide the way she acted around Sabastian.

As she later helped him make a taco salad bar for lunch, he told her about his meeting with her siblings. “Your brothers cornered me on the sledding hill.”

“I guess Nate couldn’t keep a secret.”

“Julia was already suspicious about the kitchen incident. I wouldn’t blame Nate.”

“What did they say?” Iris set the bowl of black beans on the counter.

Sabastian moved closer. “They wanted to know the truth.”

“And what’s the truth?” She didn’t get tired of hearing him express his feelings for her. This was new for her. This experience of hearing all the things she’d dreamed of hearing from a man who made her heart expand.

His face turned serious, and his voice lowered as if he was still unsure how she’d react. “I told them you’re the love of my life.”

Her heart soared, and she threw her arms around him. It had taken her forever to see the man of her dreams had been in her childhood home all along. But now... “I’m so in love with you.”

“Iris.” His voice trembled as he tightened his arms around her, engulfing her in a warm embrace as he inhaled through her hair.

She savored his sweet smell. Soap and a subtle scent of sandalwood like Dad. Warm, earthy, and reassuring. She’d still clung to his jacket and kept it folded beside her pillow so it could remind her of his scent right before she fell asleep.

“You saying that...” Sabastian kissed the top of her head, his chest rising and falling against hers. “You’re everything to me.”

He was becoming everything to her too, slowly dominating the deep and empty corners of her heart. They stood in each other’s arms, holding one another in contentment, until footsteps shuffled in the hallway. They tore apart and resumed their lunch preparation.

After lunch and dinner, they all got ready for the evening’s concert. Iris stood in front of her guest bedroom mirror, toying with the bow sash that emphasized the waist of her sleek wine-red jumpsuit.

Lifting her hand, she patted her hair. The stylist had done an amazing job, leaving it bouncy and wavy when she’d done Iris’s hair as well as some of her family members’ hair from the comfort of The Peak. They always used the same stylist, and she never minded traveling to their house.

She tipped her head to one side, then crossed to her dresser, and grabbed the wavy rhinestone clip again. It had seemed too much, so she’d taken it out earlier. But the stylist was right. Pushing a section of her hair back, she fingered it away from her ear and slid the clip in. Perfect. Her diamond studs glittered in a nice match.

She spun around, her cream pumps clicking against the tile. She’d spent way too much time by the mirror and had to blame Sabastian. She bought the outfit when she’d gone shopping with Mom the Saturday after arriving at The Peak. Sabastian had occupied her mind that day while she’d wrestled to ignore her feelings for him.

A day less than three weeks in his presence, and she already couldn’t imagine life without him. Finally, tonight, they could sit together and dance, if the opportunity arose, without hiding their attraction.

A knock tapped the door. Her heartbeat jittered, and her lips curled. “Sabastian?”

He was so full of surprises. Laughing, she started toward the door and swung it open. Then her elation vanished, and her shoulders slumped. “Julia.”

Great. What a way to ruin her good mood. Iris let out a shuddered breath. She wasn’t usually like this, but Julia knew how to needle her.

“I don’t blame you for looking like I’m the bane of your existence.” Julia walked past her. “I love your outfit, by the way.”

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