Page 96 of The Deal Breaker
“I’m happy for you.” Except… “I should have—”
“You tried. Remember the zucchini bread? Asking me to go hiking? Slow down? I was too set in my ways, thinking that was the only way because I was being stupid.” He sipped his coffee. “I also dealt with my parents.”
She fought the urge to shred the napkin under her cup. That might stop her from fidgeting so much. “What do you mean?”
“Being constantly put in the middle of them wore me out. Their nitpicking and fighting kept getting worse. It was wearing on me, and I realized it couldn’t continue. I sold the beach house, bought them each one of their own, and set up two trusts, complete with pool boy and bimbo clauses in case they remarry. All requests for money go through the trustee, not me. If one mentions the other to me, in any form of communication, ten thousand dollars from his or her account will be deposited into the other’s. So far it’s working well.”
“Wow.” That was a bigger surprise than all the other changes, but they all equaled one thing. “Goodbye, Mr. Status Quo.”
“Hello, EC.” He laughed, though it sounded forced.
“This might sound weird, but I’m proud of you.”
Dash sucked in a breath. “Not weird. That means so much to me. Thank you.”
His sincerity was apparent in his voice and gaze.
Too much. Seeing him so happy was wonderful, and the only thing she’d wanted for him, but it was too much. Emotionally, she couldn’t take any more.
Her eyelids grew hot.
Oh, no. She needed to get out of here. “Thanks for going to so much trouble to see me. I’m happy to see the changes. But I have to leave.”
As she went to scoot back, he held her hand. “Wait.”
The corners of her eyes prickled. She blinked before looking up at the ceiling, trying to keep the tears at bay.
He let go of her hand. “Please.”
Dash might have changed, but years of doing what she could to make him happy had her staying.
She clasped her hands on her lap. “Why?”
He blew out a breath. “Showing you I was working to be a better person was only one part of wanting to see you tonight.”
Her pulse skittered. “What was the other?”
“I want us to start over. That’s why I introduced myself when I showed up.”
She stared into her drink. “As friends.”
“As more.”
Iris jerked up her gaze to meet his. “More?”
“I’m ready. Truly ready. I won’t make any promises because I might still screw up. But I will do my best to not repeat the same mistakes. And will put you first. The way you have since we met.”
Tears welled, and she rubbed her eyes. “I want to believe you.”
“Don’t.”
She flinched. “What?”
“You’ve believed in me and trusted me, and I’ve let you down so many times. You don’t need to do that again.” He took a breath. “Instead, let me show you what I mean and feel for you. One step, one day, at a time.”
Her heart pounded so hard she struggled to breathe. “Really?”
He nodded. “You’re my special person, Iris. And I’m yours, but you don’t have to take my word for it. I’ll prove it’s true, if you let me.”
