Page 23 of The Deal Breaker
Dash worried about Iris moving out. She’d gone from her parents’ house to his apartment. She’d never lived on her own. The cottage was part of his estate. The yard and maintenance crew were around more often than not. If Iris moved, who would be there if she needed something? Got sick or hurt? Wanted company?
Pressure built at his temples. He glanced at his pillow. Sleep might help, but he wasn’t tired. Not when he had to find a way where both of them could get what they wanted.
How hard could that be?
He’d made billions with his data mining programs. People claimed he could figure out a solution to anything. None, however, was as important as this…as Iris. Surely, he could think of something.
But the next morning, after two hours’ sleep, he still had nothing beyond bigger and better bribes. That sucked.
Maybe a shower would help.
After he dried off, Dash put on sweats and a hoodie. Iris never left him clothes to wear on the weekends, but during the week…
Thinking she wouldn’t be doing that for him much longer hit like a punch to the gut. Dash stumbled back until his legs hit the bed. He fell on the mattress.
No way could he figure this out on his own. He needed help—someone who could analyze the situation without being so emotionally involved and tell him how to keep Iris from leaving.
Dash knew who to ask. He created a new group chat, one that excluded Henry and Brett. By not telling Dash what Iris was planning, they were part of the problem. No way would he let them know what he was doing. He typed a message and hit send. Now all he had to do was wait to see if anyone was free.
Dash:I know we’re watching football later, but is anyone available to get together earlier?
Blaise:Let me ask Hadley.
Mason:Brunch date, dude.
Kieran:I’m free.
Adam:Still in bed.
Wes:What do you need?
Dash:Iris quit.
As Dash waited for a response, three dots appeared on his screen. Someone was replying. He breathed a sigh of relief because he needed input. He also didn’t want to be alone.
Wes:Come over anytime. I have food for the game, but I’ll see what breakfast food I have. Coffee is brewing. Have whiskey, too, if you need it.
Kieran:I’ll head over to Wes’s and stop by Voodoo on the way.
Blaise:I’ll be there shortly.
Adam:Just need to shower. Then I’ll be there.
Mason:I’ll cancel brunch and pick up bagels.
Adam:You okay to drive, Dash?
Dash:Yeah.
Wes:See you soon.
Thirty minutes later, Dash drove to meet his friends. The overcast sky matched his mood. The only thing missing? A torrential downpour. But given this was winter in the Pacific Northwest, rain could happen anytime. Maybe if it poured, Iris wouldn’t look at more apartments today.
Too bad he hadn’t invented a way to control the weather.
Maybe he should add that to his future-projects list.
He parked and waved to his security team in the car behind him. They’d asked to drive him, but Dash said no. He hated needing them, but his company’s largest customer had included that in their latest contract.
