Page 74 of A Sudden Romance

“I’m a mess.” Julia threw her hands up. “Of course, it wasn’t your fault I ended things with Kane. I hate being controlled, and he was doing exactly that—a control freak.”

She pointed her finger in the air. “I know you didn’t tell Mom. She’s some kind of mind reader. She sensed something was wrong and I was just trying to avoid coming home, so she said she’d miss the reunion and come spend some time with me.”

“I’m guessing Kane never invited you to his family?”

“I broke up with him before I called you.”

Iris pulled her sister into a side hug, her heart aching for her sister’s pain. “I love you.” Last night, Iris didn’t have it in her to say those words. “I hope you know that.”

Julia leaned her head on Iris’s shoulder. “Why do you think I like picking on you?”

How had Sabastian explained it last night? Unfortunately, she’s also comfortable enough to unleash all her emotions on you.

“You’re an easy target.” Julia shrugged after their embrace. “You’re always so happy and forgiving. You know misery loves company and all.”

If Julia claimed to be a mess, more things were troubling her. Come to think of it, she usually had her manager email them her concert schedule before the end of the year. But Iris hadn’t seen it.

“Got any new concerts lined up?”

Julia pressed her lips together. “We’ll discuss that another time. Right now, if I can find a shrink who can help me hold a relationship or better yet show me how to find a man who doesn’t match this nasty pattern of my past boyfriends.” She waved her hands. “Control freaks, all of them. What’s wrong with me going out with guys like them?”

Iris’s heart felt light as she assured her sister God’s timing was perfect as far as relationships went.

When they left the guesthouse and joined the others in the main house heading to the second floor, the band seemed to have their equipment in place. Microphones echoed from the banquet room. “Testing... testing.”

Most of her family hovered in the upstairs main room, all dressed formally as they chatted and laughed. Servers passed with hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and the photographer moved throughout snapping photos. For the previous reunions, her siblings hired a photographer for an entire week, but Iris had only hired her for a couple of days—today and tomorrow for the recreation center. Mom and Dad had stepped up, taking photos during the gingerbread competition, and everyone emailed Iris their favorite selfies and photos they’d captured during the sporting events, caroling, and tree decorating. She’d already made a collage for the reunion event board in the kitchen.

Julia snatched a stuffed olive from the tray when the server offered his selection. With most of her siblings having grown up in homes where alcohol had been abused, her parents never drank and kept the house an alcohol-free environment.

Iris declined. While Julia joined the group, Iris stood in the distance, wanting to spot Sabastian so she could stand next to him.

Where was he? She peered around the heads.

“Sabastian isn’t here yet.” Grinning, Nate tugged at her sash.

“I’m not... I’m not looking for Sabastian.”

“Yeah right.” He smirked and adjusted the collar of the crisp blue shirt he’d worn beneath a black jacket and matching slacks. “Let me guess.” He crossed his arms, his dark hair shining under the recessed lighting. “You’re not looking for Grey, are you?”

Iris frowned. That would be an interesting encounter. She’d told Grey she wasn’t interested in dating. When they’d had coffee, she hadn’t been sure she’d date Sabastian. “Please tell me you didn’t invite Grey.”

Nate chuckled. “He made the mistake of telling me he asked you out. Until you’re married, I’m not inviting him over to The Peak.”

“You can invite him any time you want to.” She rolled her eyes. “I happen to be a grown woman, and if I need protection, we have a security team.”

Nate waved, then gripped her shoulder. “Sabastian is a lucky man. But he might regret dating you if he doesn’t treat you—”

She playfully punched Nate. “Leave Sabastian alone.”

“Speaking of which.” He tipped his chin behind her. “There’s the man of the hour.”

Nerves danced in her stomach as she turned to see Sabastian walk into the room dressed in a dark suit and white shirt. Oh so handsome, he strode with confidence. Had she ever seen him in a suit before?

When he saw her, his sensual lips curved into a shy smile, and his gaze held hers as he approached. A rush of warmth flooded her body as the room temperature rose ten or more degrees.

Nate bent closer. “You want me to beat him up for you?”

Even though on instinct she wanted to elbow him, she froze in place as Sabastian’s words whispered in her head. “Every time I see you, my heart just lights up, and I feel so overwhelmed I can’t even fathom how to speak.... Words fail me.”

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