Page 13 of The Deal Breaker
“Are they dating?” Curiosity dripped from each word.
Nausea set in. “No idea, but Henry is anti-commitment. If something is going on, I hope he doesn’t hurt Iris.”
“I thought the kisses on New Year’s Eve were them joking around, but she’s an adult. She can handle it.”
“Yes.” She’d been nineteen when she left culinary school to care for her mother, who’d had ALS and died three years later. Iris had grown up fast. She’d had no other choice. “But being with Henry is like winning an all-expenses paid vacation to a theme park where fun is the priority. It isn’t reality.”
“True.” Another pause. “Maybe he’s trying to hire Iris away from you.”
Dash swallowed around the lump in his throat. Blaise kept teasing he would do that. So had the others. Could that be why Henry wanted to spend more time with her?
Thinking Henry’s interest was about Iris’s skills and work ethic didn’t bring any relief. Dash remembered the items out of place in the pantry. The space had been clean and organized, as usual, but a few things weren’t where they belonged. That was unlike Iris. Was that connected to her being with Henry?
“Maybe,” Dash said.
“That must be it,” Raina said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Iris is a sweetheart, but Henry Davenport could do so much better for a girlfriend than a housekeeper with only a high school diploma.”
Dash’s jaw tensed. He’d never heard Raina talk that way, and he didn’t like it. Especially about Iris. “Henry would be fortunate to date Iris.”
Even if Dash wouldn’t like it.
“But Henry is…Henry.” Raina laughed. “The women he goes out with—”
“Iris is smart, honest, and hardworking.” Plus, her smile lit up a room and her eyes shone with kindness. “Not to mention my best friend. And don’t forget, I dropped out of college before my junior year, so I only have a high school diploma, too.”
“You don’t need a degree. You founded a company in your freshman dorm room. Everyone knows you’re brilliant.”
“So is Iris.”
“You’re so loyal. That’s something I love about you.” Raina made a kissing sound. “You and Iris were besties growing up, but you have to admit, she’s more of an employee now.”
“She’s both.” The words flew out of his mouth.
“Oh, sweetie. Iris is a wonderful cook and housekeeper. She does an excellent job, but when was the last time you did anything with her outside of the house?”
Raina’s voice held no challenge, but Dash went on the defensive. “We…”
He thought back to the past three months. Then six. A year.
Not one thing came to mind.
The year before that, either.
Dash tried to remember something these past three years but couldn’t. He slumped. “We do things at the house.”
Like chatting while she cooked or spending Christmas Day together.
Except they hadn’t done that this year, either.
Unease slithered through him.
Did Iris think of him as only her employer now? What about them being friends forever?
Not knowing the answers to those questions sucked.
“We’re heading out,” Raina said, interrupting his thoughts.
“Enjoy yourself.”
