Page 7 of The Deal Breaker
One good thing, however, had come from it. His actions had been the catalyst Iris needed to do something more with her life other than work for her best friend.
Former best friend.
Six years working for Dash was long enough.
The job paid well, but being his housekeeper, cook, and errand runner wasn’t her dream career. She’d pushed what she wanted aside because Dash needed her, and she’d needed him, so she built her world around him.
So not healthy.
Iris had realized something else at his party on New Year’s Eve. Once he married—Raina or some other woman—Iris would find herself out of a job. No one wanted their husband’s female so-called bestie living in the backyard and running their household. That was when she finally realized their friends-forever deal could never last.
She’d put off her dreams long enough.
It was time to do something.
To make a change.
A big one.
Not for anyone else.
But for herself.
She wanted to be a chef and have a family.
That would never happen if she stayed.
As she considered the possibilities, excitement shot to the tips of her toes. Quitting her job was the first step to making her dreams come true.
Only Henry knew of her plans.
She would tell Dash after she found an apartment. Well, another one. She’d signed the lease on the perfect place, walking distance to the culinary school and within her price range. Her move-in date had been scheduled. Unfortunately two days ago, severe water damage to two units, including her future one, meant she’d received her deposit back and needed to find a new place to live since there were no other vacancies.
A knock sounded.
She stood and padded across the hardwood floor in llama slipper socks—a Christmas present from Audra, Blaise and Hadley’s niece.
As Iris opened the door, cold air surrounded her. Despite her long-sleeved shirt and leggings, goose bumps covered her skin. She shivered.
“You’re cold.” Henry was six feet tall and the definition of handsome with light brown hair, hazel-green eyes, and a killer smile. He dressed to impress with an occasional clothing choice meant to shock others. Tonight, he wore a sweater with a pair of plaid pants. “I’ll warm you up.”
Someone cleared his throat.
Iris peered around Henry.
Frowning, Dash stood on the stone path with his arms crossed. He had light brown hair like Henry, but the similarities ended there. Dash was four inches taller and wore whatever clothes Iris laid out for him. Tonight was a forest green long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. He always changed as soon as he arrived home from work.
“What are you doing here?” she asked him. He hadn’t been to the cottage in over two months. November seventh was the last time if she wanted to get technical, which she didn’t. “Is everything okay?”
Lines creased his forehead. He started to speak and then stopped himself.
That was…odd.
Though he often spoke without thinking, there was a reason. His brilliant brain ran at lightspeed which meant he appeared socially inept when really he was onto another topic before anyone else. Something must be wrong for him to clam up.
But she couldn’t imagine what. Unless he’d somehow found out what she was planning to do.
Her fingers tightened around the doorknob. “Do I need to clean up the house tonight?”
