“Your guy always wins. It’s boring as shit watching him be so damn perfect all the time.”
“Aw. Better luck next time. Maybe your guy will win if he can actually stay on the track past lap one.” I pat his hand with mock sympathy.
“He better, if only to wipe that stupid smile off your face every time they mention Santi’s name.”
“My, my, Declan Kane. Are you jealous of my little crush?”
“Little? You drooled all over my pillow for two hours straight while cyberstalking him.”
I drop said pillow and assess it for any evidence. “Liar.”
“You disgust me.”
I grin. “Same time next week?”
“No.”
My smile drops. “Oh.” Way to insert yourself into his plans.
I just thought—
What? That he might be interested in doing something together on his only day off?
Maybe…
Silly Iris. That’s not how this relationship is going to work.
He clears his throat. “There’s no race next weekend, but since you weren’t the worst company ever, you can join me for the one after.”
A spark of something comes to life in my chest that should warn me away from spending more time with Declan. I should take it as a sign to keep my personal life and business life separate, but I don’t.
I nod my head and confirm our new tradition.
“I’m disappointed in you.” Cal drops into the living room couch.
“What did I do now?” I look up at him from my spot next to the coffee table. Once Declan cleared the space of his contraband snacks, I decided to make myself comfortable and get to work. Between planning a wedding and working overtime, I can’t find enough hours in my day to get everything done.
At least not with our wedding coming up next Saturday.
Cal scans the stacks of papers spread out across the table before scowling.
“So this is it? We’re back to the same position you were in before you applied for a transfer?”
My heart stops in my chest as I bolt from the area rug and assess the perimeter. The hallways are empty and I don’t hear Declan moving around upstairs, so he must be somewhere out of earshot.
After our morning bonding session, the last thing I want him to know about is my little secret.
The one I filed away in the so not happening drawer of my brain.
“He left.”
“Left the house?” I plop onto the couch across from him.
“He was walking out the door as I was pulling in.”
“Oh.” I’m not sure why the idea of Declan leaving without telling me anything makes my chest feel all tight and uncomfortable. It’s not like I expect him to tell me everything, but a courtesy I’m going out would be nice.
Especially since I thought we shared a fun moment this morning.
“I’m guessing based on the state of this place that you’re not leaving, are you?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I failed.”
He shakes his head. “Doesn’t mean you can’t try again somewhere else.
Anywhere else really, so long as they appreciate you.”
“Declan appreciates me.”
“So long as you do everything he wants.”
My eyes narrow. “That’s not true and you know it.” I don’t do everything he wants. He might be the boss, but I have no problem standing up to him and sharing my ideas. I’d like to think that’s part of the reason I’ve lasted longer than my predecessors.
“His appreciation is built on contingencies, just like everything else about him.”
“What do you expect me to do? We’re getting married.”
Both our gazes shift toward my engagement ring.
“You could tell him about your ideas.”
My head drops back against the couch as I laugh up to the ceiling.
Cal’s brows pull together. “What?”
“There’s a reason I never told him about my transfer request.”
“I know that. But things will be different now. I can guarantee it.”
“Because I’m marrying him?”
He nods, which makes me laugh harder.
He shoots me a serious look. “You have something Rowan doesn’t have.”
“If you say vagina, I’ll make you regret not having one.”
He winces. “Jesus. I was going to say a marriage contract.”
I laugh. “As if that means anything.”
“Maybe not yet but give it time. If there is anyone Declan has a soft spot for, it’s you.”
“You consider this having a soft spot?” I wave a hand over the entire table covered in papers.
“You could quit. Take your ideas and start somewhere fresh.”
“I can’t leave him right now. Our relationship complicates things.”
Cal shakes his head. “No, it doesn’t. Actually, if anything, it makes all the more sense for you to leave. It’s a conflict of interest to work for your husband.”
I sigh. “He needs me.”
“He doesn’t need anyone. He makes it pretty damn clear every time anyone says so.” Cal speaks with a little more of an agitated tone than I’m used to.
“He doesn’t even know how to operate a printer on his own.”
“He doesn’t want to know how.”
“Why?”
“Because what else would you be useful for?” He grins.
I grab a pillow and launch it at Cal’s stupid face.
“For your information, I just caught a mistake on Declan’s quarterly report.” I point at a misspelled word.
“Children with dyslexia around the world are rejoicing at your success story.”
I flip him off with a smile. “I don’t know why I ever admitted the truth to you.”
“Because you needed a shoulder to cry on after Declan ripped you a new one after your unforgivable typo.”
My hands covering my face muffle my groan. “You promised to never bring that up again.” It was my first month as Declan’s assistant and he nearly fired me for one mistake. I could have confessed the truth to him, but admitting my weakness seemed like a betrayal to myself. Like I couldn’t handle the intense work environment because of a learning disorder I spent my whole life trying to fix. So rather than ask Declan for accommodations, I work harder to achieve his standards.
Like reviewing reports on a Sunday.
Why struggle with a work-life balance when I can make my entire life my job?
“You’ve come a long way since then. Declan even respects you enough to let you lead some of his presentations.” Cal’s sincere words warm my heart.
“But that doesn’t mean you should give up your dream because you think my brothers are more important.”
My smile falters. “It’s not the right time.”
“There’s never a right time to make a hard choice.”
“How much weed did you smoke this morning?”
“Not enough to be the voice of reason in this conversation.”
I glare at him. “I’m not quitting right now, so drop it.”
“Not quitting what?” Declan’s voice cuts in.
My pulse point flutters at his low, authoritative tone. It takes all my strength to drag my eyes toward Declan’s face.
“Yes, Iris, what exactly are you thinking of quitting?” Cal raises a brow, not bothering to hide his smug expression. “Fancy seeing you back so soon, brother. Forget something?”
Declan doesn’t respond, but the two of them share a look before my fiancé’s eyes lock onto mine.
“Umm…You see…” I scan the room, trying to spark an idea. A silent commercial for an animal shelter plays on the screen.