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

24





IRIS





Declan has been abnormally quiet ever since our trip to the hospital yesterday. I try to pry him away from his foul mood with a few comments, but it only seems to make him frown like I’m some nuisance.

If possible, the next day back only gets progressively worse. I can’t type with my right hand, so I’m limited to pecking individual keys with my left index finger. I’m tempted to throw my keyboard at the wall after only half an hour of working on a spreadsheet. Instead of resorting to violence, because we all know how that went last time, I text my knight in shining Armani.

Cal strolls into the office thirty minutes later. “I always thought it would be Declan who showed Dad what it felt like to be on the receiving end of his parenting style, but it turns out you did the favor for him.”

My chest aches for the children who grew up with such a cruel father. If only I could go back in time and throw a real punch.

Cal’s gaze narrows. “Don’t look at me that way. I don’t have nearly as many daddy issues as the other two.”

“That’s because you have a whole host of other problems.”

“It makes me layered.”

“No. It means you need to seek therapy.”

He laughs as he pulls out the metal chair across from me. “I’ve been there. Done that. Turns out if you’re not interested in changing, they can’t help you much.”

I shake my head. “Imagine that.”

He grins. “So I heard you needed my services.”

“Depends. How flexible are your plans over the next few weeks?”

“For you? Consider them canceled.”

I release a sigh. “I seriously owe you one. I can’t get much done with this brace when it takes me twenty minutes to type a single paragraph.”

“You’re going to regret asking for my help.”

“Probably, because you can’t focus for shit, but I’m all out of other options. I’m not about to spend hours next to a temp. At least this way you can make my job slightly more bearable.”

“You sure know how to flatter a man.”

“Declan doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.”

“Because, most days, he can barely be classified as human, let alone a man.”

Oh, he’s all man all right. I’ve seen the evidence in vivid detail.

Cal shudders at whatever expression is on my face. “Oh God. Whatever put that look on your face needs to go. Now.”





Declan’s mood deteriorates throughout the day. I’m almost hesitant about introducing my plan, but after all the work I put into it, I can’t go back now.

“Why are we stopping?” Declan reaches out to press the driver’s call button, but I stop him.

“Welcome to phase one of Operation Fake Dating.”

He turns in his seat and stares at me. “What are you talking about?”

“This is my plan. Together, we’re going to squash any doubts about our marriage, starting tonight.”

His lips curve downward. “With fake dating? What does that even mean when we are married?”

“It’s simple really.”

“I’m burning with anticipation here,” he deadpans.

I ignore his mood. “I planned a few public outings to make sure we are seen by anyone who is anyone in Chicago.”

“You lost me at public outings.” He reaches for the call button, but I latch onto his hand to stop him.

I release him instantly, afraid a torrent of butterflies might take flight in my stomach if I touch him for longer than a second. “I know you want to stay hidden away in your suburban mansion, but avoiding the press isn’t going to solve any of our problems.”

“It’s worked before.”

“I’m sure it has, but are you willing to bet your twenty-five-billion-dollar inheritance on it?”

I’m surprised he can get any words out with the way his teeth grind together.

“No.”

“I’m going to need you to trust me on this one.”

He remains silent, so I take it that he is willing to hear me out.

“I booked us a reservation for two at La Luna with a table overlooking the river. It took a lot of finagling to get one at the last minute, but I know a guy.”

“Does his name happen to be Benjamin Franklin?”

I grin. “Bribes work wonders. You taught me yourself.”

It feels good to return to our regularly scheduled programming. With him ignoring me for days, I kind of missed our back and forth. Even if it is only for a night.

“Why did it require a bribe in the first place? You could have told them it was for me.”

“You think that highly of yourself, don’t you?”

He shrugs, and I roll my eyes.

“For your information, name-dropping wouldn’t have worked here because I had a very special request that required some monetary motivation.”

“I’m hesitant to ask, but I feel legally obligated to as your husband.”

I laugh as I clap my hands together, leaning more toward evil genius rather than angelic. “Our table happens to be right next to the Chicago Chronicle’s lead gossip columnist’s.”

His spine straightens. “Now I’m intrigued for a very different reason.”