Page 87 of The Deal Breaker
Calling him now would be a mistake. She was too emotional, and he was too tired. Tomorrow, she would talk to Dash.
In person.
Because she wanted…
Him.
No! She wanted closure.
She’d learned her lesson finally. Maybe Dash would learn one, too.
Doubtful.
He was Mr. Status Quo after all.
She sniffled.
No more tears.
Crying on one’s birthday shouldn’t be allowed. There should also be a rule about not being a hot mess, either. Iris had to do something to feel better.
Cake.
Chocolate cake always made things better.
Iris went into the kitchen. She would bake herself a birthday cake, and when she blew out the candle, she would make the best wish she could think of—to be with the man she loved and who loved her on her next birthday.
Twelve months for today.
Doable?
She had no idea because she would need time to get over Dash before she could love again.
Her heart wanted him, but he wasn’t good for her.
Somehow, she had to move on from their friendship and from him.
For good this time.
The idea was daunting, but she would survive the way she’d survived everything else.
Iris wouldn’t give up. She had to believe something better was waiting for her. a person who would love her as fiercely as she loved them. They would be each other’s priority, and she would have her happily ever. Remembering that would keep her going when the road got bumpy.
Like now.
Perhaps Hadley could offer advice. Iris might be on her own, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t reach out for help. And she would…at some point.
When she was ready
She turned on the oven to preheat before removing her two round cake pans.
“Happy Birthday, Iris.”
This wasn’t the day she’d expected, but maybe it was what she needed to show her that she was worthy of so much more.
Of…love.
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