Page 35 of The Deal Breaker
“You might not have noticed, but I have.”
Except he hadn’t. “This is nonsense.”
“No, it’s not.” Raina touched his arm. “That’s why you need to tell her you changed your mind about her moving in.”
“I offered. I can’t take it back.”
“Then find her another place to stay. Somewhere cheap.”
His muscles tightened. “Cheap?”
“Iris is the help, babe. Not one of us. Don’t go overboard and put her up at a five-star hotel.”
“That’s…” Dash couldn’t get the words out. He felt as if he were seeing Raina for the first time. No, that wasn’t correct. He’d thought she had acted differently when she called on Saturday night. He didn’t like having to defend his friend, but he would. “Iris is returning to culinary school to become a chef.”
“That doesn’t change who she really is. A housekeeper.”
His temper spiraled, but he forced himself to remain under control. “Iris is so much more than that. I wouldn’t be where I am without her. She’s been an important part of my life for the past fifteen years.”
“That’s why I’m not comfortable having her stay with you.”
“It’s won’t even be three weeks.”
“Three days would be too long.”
What she was implying, not only about Iris but him, slammed into Dash like a runaway freight train. A bitter taste coated his throat. “Do you think I’d cheat?”
“She’s pretty and wants you. A person could be tempted.”
His mouth watered. He thought he might be sick. His parents’ cheating had nearly destroyed him. To be accused of doing the same thing… “I would never do that.”
“But Iris would.”
“You don’t know her.” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “She wouldn’t.”
“That’s easy to say. Oh, wait. I think I may have the perfect solution to this.” Raina perked up. “If I move in with you…”
“I’m not ready for that.”
“Then Iris can’t stay with you.” Raina’s voice rose an octave.
Oh, man. Dash dragged his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t expected this reaction, but Iris had. Somehow she’d known. Henry had also said Raina wasn’t the one for him. What had they noticed that Dash hadn’t? “I didn’t think this would be a big deal.”
“It is. And I won’t apologize for feeling this way.” Raina angled her shoulders toward him. “We have something good here. Something that could last. I want nothing to ruin it. Having Iris stay with you will.”
That sounded a lot like an ultimatum. “Are you asking me to choose between you and her?”
“I’m asking you not to allow Iris to come between us and the wonderful future we could have together.”
Yep, an ultimatum.
Dash’s blood boiled.
This was ridiculous. And it was ending now.
He wanted distance, but he was trapped between the sofa’s armrest and Raina. “I told you I wasn’t interested in a serious relationship.”
“That was months ago. Things have changed between us.” As she ran her finger along his jawline, he turned away from her touch. But that only made her rub his shoulder. “You spent Christmas with my family.”
