Page 49 of The Deal Breaker
“No. What do you need me to do?”
Dash gripped his phone. He hated that she thought he wanted her to do something for him. If only he could go back and do things over again. “Let’s go to dinner.”
“Out?” Her surprised tone cut sharply.
He would make this up to her. Somehow. “Yes.”
Silence filled the line.
“I’d like that very much.” Iris sounded like she was smiling.
Good, because so was he. “Anywhere special you’d like to go?”
“Wherever you want.”
He’d expected her quick reply. At least he had a plan in mind. “I’ll figure out something.”
“Get back to work, or you’ll be there too late. You don’t want to be sleepy on the drive home.”
He glanced at the futon where he’d spent many nights when he was tired. But her telling him that was typical. Iris had always looked out for him, even when they were younger. These days, his parents only cared about what he could give them, not him. “If I’m tired, I’ll stay.”
“Everything you need is in the cabinet closet, including a toiletry kit. I dropped off a new one last week.”
He’d had no idea she was at his office. “What will I do without you?”
Dash cringed. He hadn’t meant to say that aloud. The story of his life.
“Janice and Leo were with me, so they know what to do,” Iris said in a cheery voice. “You’ll be fine.”
Probably, but it wouldn’t be the same without her there. Still, he wanted to reassure her. “I know you’re right.”
The husband and wife were in their fifties, both personable and skilled. The house was clean and organized, and Dash had no complaints. Even Tony was begrudgingly growing on Dash. The guy outdid himself with each meal, taking a favorite dish and adding something new to enhance it. His cookies were good, too. Though Iris’s were better.
“In case I don’t see you tonight or in the morning, I should be home around six tomorrow night and then we can go out to dinner.”
“Sounds great.” Her happiness seemed to flow from his phone’s speaker and into him, wrapping around his heart and hugging tightly. “And remember…”
“Don’t work too late,” he finished for her. “I promise I won’t.”
“G’night.”
“Sweet dreams.” He disconnected from the call.
A feeling of contentment settled over him. Strange, given Iris was leaving and three new people now worked in his house. That kind of change should have had him jittery and freaking out.
But no complaints.
Dash just had to remember to buy her a flower. He set a reminder on his phone.
Done.
If only he could be home… He stared at his monitor. Another hour and he would be. Then, he could concentrate on making sure Iris had a fun time at dinner.
And with him.
CHAPTER TEN
Thursday night, Iris threw a scarf on the floor outside her room. No matter how many times she’d watched the video from a social media influencer who could work magic with a piece of fabric, she couldn’t tie it correctly to save her life.
