Page 81 of The Deal Breaker
“Okay,” Henry relented. “I bought the building. It’s not officially mine until the deal closes, but the manager has been a big help.”
“I told Dash to buy her a condo, but you bought the entire building,” Mason gushed. “Sweet.”
Dash’s mouth went dry. “Why?”
Henry raised his chin. “Because none of the places on her list were good enough for her. I had my doubts if you would step up, so I took matters into my own hands.”
Dash’s heart pounded in his ears. “I only found out that Friday night.”
As he spoke, the words sounded like an excuse. Which they were. All he’d done was say he could buy a place. Henry hadn’t asked or offered, he’d taken action and done it.
“There wasn’t much time before she ended up in an undesirable place. She’s intent on sticking to her budget and making her money last. So I did the only thing I could think of.” He didn’t sound the least bit apologetic. “I bought the building on Saturday while Iris was in the ladies’ room. I had the manager pay a tenant to give up his lease so Iris could move in.”
Mason high-fived Henry. “That’s master level right there.”
“It is.” Dash felt hot all over. He rubbed his forehead. “I appreciate what you did for Iris, but I need to know she’s okay. Could you text the property manager?”
“I’ll do it right now.” Henry sat forward.
Mason patted Dash’s shoulder. “She’s probably busy unpacking. Moving is a lot of work.”
Especially when she was likely doing it on her own. At the front of the cabin, Frank sat next to Lex and Rico, Dash’s security team, and Craig, who worked for Wes. Not that Iris had a ton of stuff.
The amount didn’t matter.
It was still moving.
“What you’re feeling sucks,” Mason said, showing uncharacteristic empathy. “Rachael and I had been dating a few weeks, when she drove to Salem to visit a friend. I couldn’t reach her for hours. I was sure she had wrecked on I-5 or been kidnapped. But she was having fun and hadn’t realized her phone was off.”
Dash hoped Iris’s cell phone was the issue, not her. “At least nothing was wrong with Rachael.”
“Yeah, but the hours until I heard from her were the worst. I even went to her apartment. I felt like a total stalker, but I’d never experienced such all-consuming worry. That’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That she was the one.” Mason smiled. “My app lets me follow where she is, but that’s why I wanted her—us—to be the first to try your tracker prototype. I can’t imagine anything happening to her. She’s my life.”
Could Dash say the same thing about Iris?
He didn’t know.
But she was more than just a friend. He could admit that now. “I’m happy you found Rachael.”
“Me, too.” Mason got a faraway look in his eyes. “You’re Mr. Status Quo, but falling for the right woman is worth mixing things up. She’s changed my world and my outlook. I’m a better person because of her.”
“More so when you’re physically with Rachael,” Henry quipped. “But she is good for you. As is Cambria for Adam, Selah for Kieran, Hadley for Blaise, Paige for Wes, and Iris for Master Dashiell, here.”
“Did you reach the manager?” Dash asked, digging his fingers into his seat.
“I did.” Henry smiled at him. “Iris’s phone is dead. She can’t find her charger, so she may have left it at your house.”
Dash released the breath he’d been holding. “Why didn’t she buy another one?”
“Because Iris has one and wants to stick to her budget,” Henry explained. “If you’re that upset about it, find Iris’s and take it to her.”
Dash’s jaw jutted forward. “I’ll do that.”
Henry sighed. “But please not tonight. She has class in the morning. And you’ve barely slept.”
