Page 73 of A Sudden Romance

“Thanks.” Iris tried to keep the dread out of her tone. “You don’t look bad yourself.”

In a knee-length navy lace dress, Julia looked stunning. As long as she didn’t bear a contrasting attitude. She marched toward the dresser, touched a section of the strung blue lights, then sauntered toward the bed. Eyeing Sabastian’s jacket folded next to the pillow, she said nothing. Then she let out a breath. “I like your lights.”

Maybe Julia wasn’t here to pick a fight. Iris kept her door open and walked toward the dresser. “I thought I’d add some festivity in here since it’s pretty impersonal being a guest room.”

Julia sat down in the middle of the bed, crinkling up its nicely laid corners. “You and Sabastian, huh?”

“I like him.” Whatever Julia’s intentions were, Iris would keep her answers brief.

“I wouldn’t have guessed you and our quiet chef together.”

Iris leaned against her dresser, her gaze drifting to the window and the snow-covered landscape. She wouldn’t have guessed Sabastian would be the man who made her insides melt.

“You found your spark with him, then?”

“We’re still new in our relationship.” Sparks might be temporary.

“Did you know Sabastian can get angry?”

“Can’t we all?” Iris hugged her arms around herself, still uneasy after last night’s unexpected battle.

“Your Sabastian lashed out at me last night.”

If anyone had been lashing out last night, it’d been Julia. Her sister could call her all sorts of names, but she’d better leave Sabastian out of this. Iris ground her teeth, reining in her anger. “Sabastian would never hurt a fly.”

Julia rolled her eyes. “You still have a lot to learn about that guy. Apparently, I’m supposed to apologize to you.”

Wait a minute. Did Julia mean Sabastian lashed out at her on Iris’s account?

Her heart warmed. Sabastian stood up for her, yet he didn’t tell her he’d confronted Julia?

“No need for apologies.” Sabastian intervening on her behalf meant a lot.

“We had a sibling meeting without you.”

“The one where you all tried to intimidate Sabastian because he’s—”

“It’s the boys who think you need protecting.” Julia shook her head. “For your information, Sabastian wasn’t intimidated like that boyfriend of yours Logan scared off.”

Wow. There was a lot Iris was yet to learn about Sabastian. His love for her seemed to embolden him.

“The meeting ended up being about me. Hailey and the boys think I’m always a jerk to you.”

Not always, but Iris had come to appreciate whatever little excitement Julia offered.

“If you want a written apology, it’ll be a while.”

“I forgive you either way.” For her own sanity. “And I’m sorry too. I should’ve remained silent last night instead of trying to speak my mind.”

“Come on.” Julia snorted. “Don’t play the saint. Admit I was a jerk. Admit it.”

Iris shrugged. “What do you want me to say?” She kept her tone low, unsure where this conversation would end. Was she going to end up in the shed again afterward?

“I want you to scream at me.” Julia crossed her ankles, her black heels touching each other. “I want you to call me all sorts of names, remind me what a terrible sister I am. You can’t just say you forgive me.”

The twinge of sadness in her voice erased any lingering vengefulness. “It’s simple.” Iris spread her hands. “I’d rather spend our time together laughing than arguing.”

When Julia let out a mirthless laugh, Iris’s feet led her to the bed, and she dropped down next to her sister. Seconds, maybe minutes, passed before she bumped their shoulders together.

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