Page 36 of The Deal Breaker
“Because you invited me.” And he was too much of a wimp to say no.
Ugh.This was all his fault. He glanced at the ceiling.
There was only one thing he could do—something he’d never done before. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you.”
She smiled. “Same.”
“We’ve had fun together, but I’m not ready for more.” Dash didn’t want to hurt her, but he was done. The way she talked about Iris was a huge turnoff and red flag. He’d mentioned his parents’ cheating and divorce, so Raina knew how he felt about that. “I’m sorry if I misled you, but my feelings haven’t changed since we first went out.”
Raina’s jaw tensed before she forced a smile. “I’m willing to wait.”
“This isn’t working. We each want different things. Plus, anyone who is part of my life needs to respect Iris, not believe she and I would cheat behind their back.”
“I can try.” Raina’s eyes gleamed. “I mean, I will. Do.”
It was too late. She was only saying what she thought he wanted to hear.
“Take care of yourself.” He stood, not feeling an ounce of regret or sadness, only relief. “I’ll see myself out.”
* * *
Before his drive home, Dash sent a text asking Iris to meet him in the kitchen in thirty minutes. He stopped at an ice cream shop on NW 23rd Avenue for a pint of Honey Lavender and one of Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons. When he walked in the house, he found her in the pantry. Not where he expected her to be at this hour.
He set the bag on the island. “What are you doing?”
“Making a note of what was out of place. I’ll speak with Tony and Janice tomorrow about where things go.” Iris held a pen and notepad with scribbles on it. She noticed what was on the island, and a smile erupted, lighting up her face. “You bought ice cream.”
Seeing her so happy pleased him, erased the time he’d been at Raina’s. “We need to celebrate your new apartment.”
She rose up on her tiptoes. “You’re the best.”
Her compliment shouldn’t make him feel so good, but it did. Dash removed the two pints. “Your favorite flavor and mine.”
“Oh, thank you.” After setting her pen and paper on the counter, she got two bowls from a cabinet before pulling out the scooper and two spoons from nearby drawers. “Thank goodness I hadn’t eaten a brownie already or I wouldn’t be able to button my jeans.”
He glanced at her in a pair of black leggings and a pink T-shirt that fell past her hips. “Isn’t that what leggings and yoga pants are for?”
She stuck out her tongue at him.
Dash laughed. “You know I’m joking. You could eat the whole pan, and it wouldn’t affect you.”
“Now you’re really joking.” She patted her left hip. “If I did that, it would go right here.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“There isn’t,” she agreed. “I enjoy food too much to be as thin as Raina. Tonight I plan on eating an extra scoop of ice cream.”
“It’s all yours.”
Iris scooped the first flavor into a bowl, stuck a spoon in the ice cream, and slid the dish his way. “Here’s yours.”
She fixed hers. “And this one is mine.”
“You sound like you can’t wait for a taste.”
“I can’t.”
One bite had her moaning with delight and making him happy she was enjoying it so much. He would have to bring home dessert more often.
