Page 83 of A Sudden Romance

If she was busy, then she probably had her phone on mute.

Iris: Do you have some time to talk?

Her phone rang immediately. Good thing it wasn’t FaceTime. If Tessa could see her, she’d instantly notice how beat-up Iris felt.

She tapped the screen to answer. “Hey.”

“We just watched ‘The Winter Showdown.’”

“You did?” Of course, her friends and family would watch it once they learned Sabastian would be on the show. If his hadn’t been a last-minute entry, most of them would’ve come to watch him live. Iris had only gotten the ticket since Sabastian was allowed one guest due to the limited family member seats.

“Wasn’t that so sweet when Sabastian abandoned his station to help his competitor?” Tessa gushed. “That scene was the highlight!”

“That’s what I told him, but he’s not happy he lost.”

“Are you guys out celebrating? Let me talk to him—”

“He and I...” Iris flopped to her back, unsure of her fate with Sabastian after tonight. “I thought he knew me. I thought he was the one.”

“Uh-oh. Did he break up with you already? What happened? You’re at his show right now, right?”

Iris breathed through the phone, pinching the bridge of her nose. When Tessa mentioned breaking up, the sharp pain of betrayal and rejection hit her anew.

“He blames me for talking him into joining the show.”

“I thought he had to cook a meal before they selected him.”

He had many reasons they’d never be together. “I think he had hoped to win. He doesn’t think I’ll love him if he’s not rich.”

“Did he have a fortune when you two started dating?”

“Right?”

“He’s probably exhausted. Doesn’t help when you’re discouraged.”

“I want to believe that, but Sabastian always talks about money. It’s like... like this driving factor for him to be with me.” She had no idea how to convince him she just wanted his heart and time. “He wouldn’t be the first man to feel threatened by my career.”

“Did you tell him about your investment properties in The Hamptons or elsewhere in New England?”

“I never talk about things like that.” She rarely even thought about it. Who had time to calculate their net worth unless there was a threat in the market? “Why would I?”

“It would’ve surprised me if you did, but I was trying to figure out what triggered his panic. We wouldn’t have known either if your property manager hadn’t called you during our girl time.”

Right. Talking about her investments always felt wrong unless she had a reason to. Plus, the revenue went directly to her account. Between the manager and the accountant, they saw to it that everyone involved was paid.

It had all started after graduation when she’d bought a half-finished abandoned building on the outskirts of Boston. She’d made a lowball offer. Putting a team together and finishing the building within the year had been a learning process that served her well in real estate development. Being a part of a prestigious firm was always thrilling. She worked and learned from the best engineers and architects. Making a partner in the firm further compelled her dedication and loyalty.

“So if you didn’t tell him about your sources of revenue...” Tessa’s voice pulled her back to the present. “How will he react when he finds out?”

Iris let out a chuckle. “I didn’t tell him, and he’s already running for the hills.” She would tell the man she was supposed to marry before they got too serious. “We’ve only been together for a month. Not enough time to delve into a sensitive area of my life that threatens my dates.”

“He’ll come around.”

Maybe, but Iris wouldn’t hold her breath. “He probably thinks I’m spoiled.”

“That’s not true.”

Sabastian had been nothing but supportive. While they were in the workshop, he’d assured her that he saw her. “So, why’d he act that way tonight?”

---