Page 44 of The Deal Breaker
She opened the bag. “Cookies.”
“I tried something new last night.” He sounded excited. “I want to know what you think.”
Iris removed one. The texture reminded her of shortbread, but the scent was different, spicier. She took a bite. “Delicious. Not what I expected.”
“What do you taste?” he asked.
She took another bite and thought for a moment. “Is that anise?”
His smile spread. “That’s the secret ingredient.”
She ate the rest. “I love the combination of flavors.”
Tony winked. “Thought you might.”
Dash cleared his throat.
Tony went over to him. “Oh, hey, you must be Dash. Or do you prefer Mr. Cabot?”
“Mr. Cabot is his father,” Iris answered, not liking the way Dash glared at his new chef.
Dash pressed his lips together.
She mouthed the words “say something.”
His jaw jutted forward. “Using my first name is fine.”
That appeared to be the invitation Tony needed. He shook Dash’s hand. “Sorry for not noticing you, but when Iris is around, I forget about everything.”
She laughed. Tony had hit on all their classmates during their first session. He enjoyed flirting with everyone, including the instructors and custodial crew. It was just his personality, and he was fun to be around, but he wasn’t boyfriend material.
“Admit it,” she joked. “You say that to everyone.”
“I do.” Charming dimples formed on either side of Tony’s mouth. “But I only mean it with you.”
Yeah, right. He reminded her of Henry, except without being a billionaire. Tony was attractive, but he didn’t come close to Dash.
She held the bag across the bar. “Want one of Tony’s cookies, Dash?”
“No, thanks.” His intense gaze sent a burst of lightning through her. “But I wouldn’t mind one of yours.”
Dash could have whatever he wanted. She gulped.
On second thought…
CHAPTER NINE
Dash forced himself not to grimace, but that didn’t stop the heat from pooling on his face or sweat beading at his hairline. A drop rolled down his neck slow, as if gravity had no effect and mocked him, followed by another. At this rate, he would need another shower and to change his shirt before he left for the office.
Tony snickered and gave a thumbs-up sign. “Going to remember that one, boss man.”
Just great.Dash had impressed the smooth-talking chef who looked like his parents were a supermodel and an NFL player, but he’d also made a fool out of himself in front of Iris. He should have kept his mouth shut.
Not that he’d tried.
Because Dash had been having fun with her, flirting even. That was unlike him, but he couldn’t stop. It was as if on Friday night a switch inside him flipped to the “on” position, making him view Iris differently. That hadn’t been a bad thing, given they were acting more like the best friends they used to be. The flirting part, however, was new. So was how much he enjoyed seeing her a bit…flustered. Or rather, he had liked that.
Until Tony arrived.
