Page 83 of The Deal Breaker
“I’m glad I could return your cord.” He hated saying goodbye. “See you in a couple of days.”
Thursday couldn’t arrive soon enough.
* * *
Dash sat at his desk. He’d been in this same position or trying to catch some shuteye on the futon. He’d asked Janice to clear his personal calendar and Fallon to do the same with his work one. Now he couldn’t remember what day it was. If he wasn’t sleeping here, he arrived in the dark and left after the sun had gone down.
Thankfully, the staff at the lab addressed each problem. Not that their efforts surprised him. He’d handpicked each one for their jobs, and since the research facility was his baby, he’d stayed to offer support and provide input when asked.
A text arrived. He checked his screen.
Mom:Your father says the beach house is his this weekend, but I’m on the calendar. Talk to him.
Dash:I’ve spoken to him. This is something you have to do yourself.
Mom:I can’t.
Dash:Please try. I have too much going on right now.
Mom:So you’re blowing off your own mother for work again?
Dash:That’s not fair, and you know it. My work supports both you and dad. And I haven’t slept this week.
Mom:Are you still at the office?
Dash:I was getting ready to leave when you texted.
Mom:Fine. Blame me. That’s what your father did.
Dash:No one is blaming you. I just don’t want to be put in the middle again.
Mom:Get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.
Why did this keep happening? He cradled his head in his hands. Calling his dad might be easier. Or maybe he could hire someone to manage his parents. Dash loved them, but their daily calls and demands were exhausting him.
He yawned, stretching his arms over his head. The lack of sleep was catching up with him. Not even caffeine was working. He glanced at the clock. After six. Time to get out of here and sleep in his own bed.
A knock sounded on his ajar door. Fallon Caples stuck her head in. “Do you have a minute?”
“Come in.”
She wore one of her trademark skirts and matching blazer. Today, the color was hot pink. She was thirty-two, a single mom, and Blaise’s sister-in-law. Dash appreciated how fast she caught on to things around here. The ends of her blonde hair swayed as she walked.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s someone at the front desk to see you.”
Odd. Usually, Fallon would have used the intercom to tell him, not come in person. “Do they have an appointment?”
“No.” She adjusted her skirt. “It’s Raina.”
He must have heard wrong. “Did you say Raina was here?”
Fallon nodded. “Should I send her up?”
Raina came to his office once when they were leaving from here for an event. She’d been all smiles then, not sad as she was the night they broke up. “I was about to leave, but I can stay for a few minutes.”
“I’ll let the front desk know.” Fallon turned and headed out.
Five minutes later, Raina entered his office. She wore black pants, a sweater, and boots. A leather messenger bag hung from her shoulder. Her hair was loose, the way she normally wore it, but her eyes were red and swollen as if she’d been crying.
