Page 75 of The Deal Breaker
Iris:See you soon.
She preheated the ovens. Two pizzas would fit in the larger one.
By the time Iris had trivets, plates, and napkins in the great room, the timer beeped. She placed the pizzas in the ovens and reset the timer. Dinner would be ready when Dash walked in the door.
It was almost like playing house.
Emphasis on playing.
Iris laughed because her life had never been like the families she’d seen on television. She ate her meals at a corner table by herself until she was old enough to carry a plate upstairs to their apartment or help out downstairs. Both her parents cooked in the restaurant. Her mother also helped in the front of the house when needed.
“Something smells delicious.” Dash entered the kitchen and kissed her. Hard.
When he pulled away, she was breathless. “You’re taking the rule seriously.”
He smirked. The expression was more sexy than it was annoying. “Go big or go home.”
She hugged him. “Tony made three pizzas, and I’ve set out everything.”
Something flashed in Dash’s eyes, but whatever it was disappeared in an instant. “Oh, right. I have until nine. Though I need to pack.”
Wait. What?She stepped back. “Where are you going?”
“Florida.”
“Tonight?”
He grabbed two beers out of the refrigerator and opened them. “Blaise scored Super Bowl tickets for us, so we’re doing an impromptu bachelor party for Wes and going to the game. It’ll be epic.”
Epic. Maybe for him. She thought about moving into her apartment tomorrow and the party he’d asked her to attend. “So no Super Bowl party.”
It wasn’t a question. “Canceled, but you said you weren’t sure you wanted to go.”
“I decided to go with you.” After she’d turned down another invitation from a classmate. Guess this was the whirlwind life of a billionaire.
Okay, she was whining. But she’d wanted to share the excitement of her new apartment and spend time with him on Sunday. Now… “I guess it’s not every day you get to attend a Super Bowl.”
“I’ve been to a few, but not with everyone.” He sipped his beer. “Henry offered up the use of his plane. That’s why I need to leave at nine.”
Henry had offered Frank’s services on her moving day. He’d called to confirm two days ago, but Iris had assumed Dash would help her, so she told Henry no, thanks. Now, she was on her own. At least she could use the dolly in the garage.
Dash squeezed her shoulder. “Hey, you’re okay with this, right?”
“It’s…sudden.”
He laughed. “That happens with us. Hadley, who is OCD about planning, gets annoyed sometimes.”
Iris knew how the matchmaker felt. “It’s just… Tonight’s my last night here. I move into my apartment tomorrow.”
His mouth dropped open. He scrubbed his face before reaching out and placing his hands on her shoulders. ”I forgot.”
His words hit hard.
Her lungs constricted, making it hard to breathe. Iris felt as if being forgotten at Christmas time was happening all over again. She stared at the wood floor.
“I’m sorry.” His apology flew out. “Having you here has been so perfect, I didn’t want to think about you leaving. When the guys talked about a bachelor party and Super Bowl game, everything else went out of my mind.”
Including her.
