Page 28 of The Deal Breaker
“What do you need from me?” she asked.
“Here’s the application. The fee is forty dollars paid by check.” The manager gave Iris a form and a pen. “If you complete this now, I’ll run a credit report and let you know on Monday.”
Tomorrow. That wouldn’t be a long wait.
Iris stood at the kitchen counter, filled out her information, and wrote a check. She rarely carried her checkbook but had learned many places wouldn’t accept cash for the application fee. As soon as she handed over everything, she surveyed the apartment once more, imagining what she needed to buy to fill the place.
Excitement welled inside her. Iris wanted to tell Dash. Though he might not care. Henry would. He seemed as excited about the changes she was making as Iris was.
The manager scanned the application. “Looks complete. I’ll see you out.”
“Thank you.” Iris glanced over her shoulder. She couldn’t wait to make this place homey, but she wouldn’t need too many things to start. A bed, a dresser, a kitchen table, and chairs were top on the list. The mattress she would buy new. She would scour the internet and thrift stores for the rest while she had access to a car.
As she followed the woman to the lobby and said goodbye, a text notification buzzed on Iris’s cell phone. Once outside the building, she removed her phone from her purse.
Dash:Watching football at Wes’s house. Will be home later. If you don’t have plans for dinner, come by the house and join me. Ordering Thai.
Iris read the message twice. Happiness flowed through her. This time, nothing would hold her back. She didn’t care about the people passing by on the sidewalk or the cars on the street. She shimmied her shoulders. “Yes!”
After Dash’s reaction last night, she’d thought he was upset at her. He hadn’t told her he understood, but maybe he’d had time to sleep on it. Whatever was going on in that brain of his, inviting her to dinner was a good sign. They hadn’t done that in far too long. Thai food had been second to pizza when they’d lived in his apartment and after they moved into the house. She typed a reply.
Iris:Sounds great. Be sure to get spring rolls and extra peanut sauce.
Dash:Always, even though I’ll leave those to you.
Iris:What time?
Dash:Around seven.
Iris:I’ll be there.
She would bake brownies for dessert. Dash loved those as much as cookies. Who was she kidding? He enjoyed whatever she baked. The apartment wasn’t hers yet, and she didn’t want to jinx anything, but she had a good feeling about it. Maybe losing the first place had happened for a reason.
That reminded her. She needed to send another text.
Iris:Thanks for your help yesterday and for the link last night. The place is beyond perfect! I’m the first to apply. Hopeful I’ll get it. Find out tomorrow.
Henry:Let me know as soon as you hear.
Iris:I will.
Henry:Have you told Dash?
Iris:We talked last night. He wasn’t happy, but he invited me to dinner tonight.
Henry:Going out?
Iris:His house. Takeout.
Henry:Have fun. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
Iris:Well, I’m not one to gorge on Thai food. Now the brownies I’m bringing…
Henry:Enjoy!
Iris would.
That evening, she carried the plate of brownies into the main house, closing the French door with her hip. Music played. A light floral scent lingered on the air.
