Page 43 of The Deal Breaker
She eyed him warily, unsure if he was teasing. He couldn’t be flirting. That was beyond his comfort level…and hers. “You’re kidding, right?”
“You don’t expect me to dress in dirty clothes, do you?”
Dressing. Undressing.This was not the conversation she expected to have today or any day with him. “You have a closet and dresser full of clothes. I purchased them for you.”
“You know me.”
At this moment, Iris wasn’t sure she did.
Dash flashed the most perfect pair of puppy dog eyes known to man and her heart full-on melted.
What was going on?
“I only like to wear a few things,” he continued, oblivious to her pondering whether she’d woken up in an alternate universe. “If those aren’t in my room, I’ll have to get them myself in nothing but a towel.”
“Dude.” Her voice came out louder than she intended. “If you check your clothes before you shower, this is a non-issue. I will also speak to Janice.”
“So you’re saying the towel thing should be a rule?” The amusement in his voice matched his eyes.
She gritted her teeth. “Yes.”
“Knock before you enter a room with the door closed?”
Iris nodded.
“Give advance notice if you’re having friends over.”
Another nod because she had never invited anyone to the cottage. Well, other than Henry and Dash. She dated rarely, and most people she knew socially worked in the hospitality industry so mornings and lunch worked better since most worked nights.
“This isn’t a rule, but meals are included with your room,” he added. “It’s easier to cook for two than one.”
“That’s what I always say, but I lucked out in this case because Tony is an amazing chef.” Her taste buds were excited. “You can eat whatever I make on the weekends when he’s off.”
Dash raised his coffee cup. “This will work out great for me.”
“I’m getting the better end of the deal,” she admitted.
“You deserve it.”
The island separated them, but the way his gaze locked on her, she could almost feel an invisible connection tying them together.
Alternate universe or lack of sleep? At this point, it could be either. She cleared her dry throat. “Thanks.”
“It’s the least I can do. You never ask me for anything.”
“I don’t need much.” Except for a mom and dad—a family. But Dash could do nothing about that.
His eyes remained on her. “Want is different from need. My parents’ divorce sucked, but other than that, I’ve had it easy. Not you. I’d love to do more to help you, if you’ll let me.”
“I’m grateful for your support.” Not only that, she was relieved to have Dash back in her life. She hoped they could go back to the way things were. She would love that.
A knock sounded, and then the front door opened. “Anyone here?”
“Back here.” She grabbed another coffee cup from the cabinet and filled it. “Your new chef is here.”
Footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor before Tony appeared in the kitchen. He was six feet tall, built like a running back, and oh-so-easy on the eyes with black hair, brown eyes, and umber skin. Along with his looks, his personality would make him a perfect candidate for a cable TV show.
Tony handed her a small bag. “Try one.”
