Page 14 of The Deal Breaker
“I will.” She sounded as if she were smiling. “Bye, babe.”
The line disconnected before he said goodbye. Not a problem. He would see Raina next weekend. His week was full, but she would text him when she arrived home, if not sooner.
The side gate slammed.
Dash straightened. That was the entrance Iris used to get to the cottage.
She was home.
Finally.
He ran down the stairs, taking two at a time, and out into the backyard. The night air stung his lungs, but he wasn’t cold in his sweats and hoodie. Who was he kidding? He would put up with freezing rain if that meant he could see Iris.
Talk to her.
Warn her off Henry.
He hurried along the stone path.
Iris stood at the cottage’s front door. The porch light cast shadows on her face. She wore a red parka, gray striped beanie, jeans, and snow boots. Puffs of her breath hung on the air. Her keys jingled in her gloved hand.
Dash came closer. “Iris.”
She glanced his way. Her keys fell on to the doormat. “Oops.”
He stepped forward. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Or scare you.
Dash dragged his hand through his hair. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Though if anyone knew him—his strengths and his flaws—Iris did. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She picked up the keys. “Just not used to seeing you over here.”
Especially two nights in a row.
His fault.
Again.
He used to spend time at the cottage playing video games and talking to her. It was the perfect place for downtime. Why had they stopped? If there was a reason, he didn’t remember it.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
“Sure.” Iris inserted the key into the lock before glancing his way with an unreadable expression on her face. “You okay?”
The concern on her face made him shift uncomfortably. Dash wished he was okay, but his palms sweated. He rubbed them over his sweatpants. “I will be.”
After he spoke with her, he would feel better. At least, he hoped so.
They went inside where it was dark, and Dash closed the door behind him.
Warmth enveloped him.
A light turned on.
He blinked.
“It’s warm and cozy in here.” He tried to sound nonchalant but was unsure if he succeeded. “Mind if I sit?”
