Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher

You little… “You think you’re clever.”

Her smile only adds to the heat surging through my veins. “I never asked for an increased paycheck, but since you so generously offered…”

Dammit. I cover my small smile with the back of my fist. “Well played.”

She winks. “Thank you, sir. You taught me everything I know.”

And I regret it every single day.





6





IRIS





If I expected my work responsibilities to lessen because I need to plan an entire wedding in two weeks, I was wrong. Pretty much everything is business as usual which is exactly my problem. I’m drowning. In work. In expectations. And in a bunch of pointless questions like what color napkins I want, and which style cursive is the best for place cards.

I can’t even read cursive.

“I need you to revise this report for Yakura.” Declan stops by my desk.

“Again?” I groan. “This is the third time in six months.”

He drops a stack of pastel orange papers on my desk.

“Are you still struggling with the printer? I could show you how it works if you have a second.”

He doesn’t bother entertaining my question. “I expect to receive your notes by the end of the day.”

“Today?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Nope. I’ll just fit it in between planning our wedding, picking out a dress, and going to a cake tasting tonight.” I shoot him a tense smile.

“Perfect. Have it on my desk by nine.” He walks past me and toward his private office door.

Have it on my desk by nine. I slam my fingers against the keyboard as I type out my password.

You can do this, Iris. There’s a reason you’ve lasted this long on the job.

My phone lights up with a message from Tati confirming our first dance choreography session for tomorrow afternoon.

Freaking fantastic. Is there anything else the universe wants to throw my way?

“Iris?”

An irritable breath escapes me before I have a chance to catch it. “Yes?”

Our eyes connect. The nerve endings at the back of my neck tingle. I break contact first, ending the strange feeling before it has a chance to spread.

“Thank you for everything.”

My eyes snap back to his.

Thank you for everything?! I’ve never heard Declan express any gratitude without an ounce of sarcasm.

I struggle to find the right words. My silence only adds to the strange tension building between us. Thankfully Declan ends it by entering his office and shutting the door.

I snap out of my stupor and text the only person who could help me process whatever is going on in Declan’s mind.

Me: Your brother just told me thank you.

Cal: Rowan? What for?

Me: No. DECLAN!

Cal: What did you do wrong?

Me: Nothing.

Cal: So he actually said “thank you” and meant it?

Me: Yes!!

Cal: Did you hold him at gunpoint?





I laugh as I type out my reply.

Me: No.

Cal: Dagger to the throat?

Me: While the letter opener you bought me is tempting at times, no.

Cal: Shit.

Cal: Maybe you caught him in a good mood.

Me: Was there a global tragedy that gave him the warm fuzzies this morning?

Cal: According to the news, there’s a shrimp shortage that has people throwing hands but that’s all.





Declan hates shellfish so that can’t be it. In fact, there’s nothing I can think of that would explain his irrational behavior.

Nothing but the one idea that seems ridiculous enough to make my stomach flip.

He actually meant it.





“Your fairy godfather has arrived with reinforcements.” Cal drops a takeout bag on my desk.

“Oh God. Yes.” I rip the paper bag open and pull out a sub. “I love you.”

“I know.”

“Do you mind? I’m having a private conversation here.” I point at my lunch.

Cal laughs as he takes a seat. “How are the revisions going?”

“Terrible. I’m not sure what Mr. Yakura wants from us. This is the hundredth time he’s sent back our Dreamland Tokyo proposal—this time with one single comment.”

Cal leans in. “What?”

“Something’s missing.”

His brows rise. “Seriously? That’s it?”

“Yes! But I can’t figure out what’s lacking.”

“Did you talk to Rowan? He could look at your latest ideas.”

I shake my head. “Declan and I met with him a month ago, but it didn’t end well.”

“Declan’s still pissed at him about the whole Dreamland thing?”

Ever since Rowan decided to remain the director of the original Florida theme park, Declan has been icy toward him. It’s obvious that Declan is offended that Rowan turned his back on family expectations for a woman he loves. But with Declan trying to develop his own Dreamland park in Tokyo, we might need to try again.

I sigh. “Yeah. I think the pressure from Mr. Yakura is getting to him. We’ve been working on this deal for months already without any payoff.”

“You could find another sponsor willing to sell their land. Many people would kill for a cut of Dreamland’s profits.”