Page 8 of The Deal Breaker
“No. We’re not heathens.”
The sound of Henry’s voice jolted her. She’d been so focused on Dash, she’d forgotten they weren’t alone.
Iris turned her attention onto Henry. “You didn’t see the house after the New Year’s Eve party.”
He laughed. “I might have contributed to that, but you’ll only find glasses in the sink and empty plates and platters on the counter.”
“Leave it until morning.” Dash’s voice was hoarse.
She hoped he wasn’t coming down with something.
Henry kissed her cheek and then stepped into the cottage, pulling her with him. “You’re going to catch a chill out here.”
As soon as she was inside, she rubbed her hands over her arms. “Gotta love forced air heating.”
Dash entered behind them and closed the door. He went to the couch, picked up a blue fleece throw that matched his eye color, and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. “You should wear a jacket.”
“I was just opening the door.” She pinned Dash with a narrowed gaze. “You never told me why you’re here.”
He rubbed his neck before glancing at Henry.
“Dashiell wanted to say good night,” Henry answered for him.
Dash straightened as if suddenly buoyed. “That’s right. And to thank you. The guys enjoyed the snacks.”
Henry nodded. “The food was superb. Poker night is a waste of your talent.”
Iris wanted to glare at Henry, but she couldn’t with Dash nearby. “How was poker night?”
“Blaise won.” Henry laughed. “Again.”
Dash nodded. “The guy has the magic touch with cards.”
“Or a system,” Henry suggested. “Maybe he created a poker code.”
Dash shrugged. “If that’s the case, Blaise deserves it. He’s made us all richer with his investment algorithms.”
It was Henry’s turn to nod.
“I wouldn’t put it past Blaise.” Iris was warming up, but she pulled the throw tighter around her to chase away the cold faster. “You should have seen him when we played board games on Christmas Day. When Audra beat him twice, he demanded a rematch.”
The corners of Dash’s mouth tipped up. “I would have paid to see that.”
“Maybe this year,” Henry said before Iris could reply. “Unless you go back east to be with Raina’s family again.”
Dash’s eyes darkened to a stormy blue. “I’ll be here. My parents asked me to stick around. They missed having me to fight over for the holidays.”
His parentshad asked. He didn’t decide himself.
Typical.
Dash avoided conflict and confrontation. Change, too.
That was why the guys called him Mr. Status Quo.
The nickname fit, which explained why she was working hard to keep his household running the same way after she left. She’d hired three people to take her place. Once they finished their training next week, he would never know she wasn’t there. To be honest, he hadn’t noticed the others doing various jobs for the past week. Not that he was around much.
She glanced at the clock. “Shouldn’t you be gaming now?”
