My shoulders drop as I end the call. I can’t ignore the guilt that hits me straight in the chest, knowing Zahra planned this whole day only for it to be ruined because of work.
Another plan has come and gone because of working for Declan. I know it’s not Declan’s fault his father pulled a stunt like this, so it makes me upset to even feel that way in the first place.
I can’t erase the growing pressure in my chest at the thought of cancelling another plan. I like Zahra. Cancelling on her feels like a repeat of how I lost countless friends—all while working for Declan.
It’s not his fault you don’t set boundaries. Cal warned you that something like this was bound to happen, but you stayed anyway.
If I was working for anyone else and they called me on a day off, I would say screw it. With Declan, I don’t have a choice.
I release a heavy breath. My feet drag across the pavement as I reenter the greenhouse.
Zahra waves me over. “Check this out. They’ve been waiting six years for this one to bloom. Six!”
I look at the Titan Arum with a frown. “I’m going to need to take a rain check on today’s plans. I’m so sorry, but something came up.”
Zahra’s smile drops. “Oh no, are you feeling okay?”
I shake my head. “I feel… Frankly, I don’t know how I feel.”
I’m disappointed about today. It feels like I’m falling into the same pattern as always.
“Can I help?”
“You can by telling me how I can get back to Dreamland. Seth showed up and I need to go help Declan before something happens.”
“Seth is here?” Her gaze darkens.
“And Mr. Yakura.”
“Together?”
“I have no idea how that happened, but I don’t doubt Seth was behind it.”
“Well, we can’t just let him take over, can we?” She blazes a trail straight out of the greenhouse.
Zahra calls someone’s name and asks for a pair of keys. A random worker throws them at her, and she starts a small golf cart that still has a few plants in the back.
“You’re driving me?”
“You need to get to the park somehow, don’t you? I hope you didn’t think I’d let you walk all the way there.”
“Thank you.” I slide into the bench seat and Zahra presses a foot on the pedal.
“That’s what friends are for.”
“Aren’t you upset I have to cancel?”
She shrugs. “We can come back another time.”
“I’m so sorry again.”
“No need to apologize. I get it. Things pop up for Rowan all the time at the last minute.”
I sigh. “Does it ever upset you?”
She laughs. “Oh yeah. Sometimes I want to take his phone and drop it in the nearest toilet.”
I laugh. “But you don’t.”
“Only because of sheer will and a parting orgasm from Rowan before he goes to fix whatever crisis popped up.”
“I guess that’s one way to pacify a partner.”
“You have no idea. If you asked Declan, I’m sure he would be happy to oblige with the same policy.”
I sigh. “I guess.”
She nudges my shoulder with hers. “What’s really wrong? Something tells me it has nothing to do with orgasms.”
“It’s just that…” My voice drops off.
She stays silent, weaving the golf cart through curvy sidewalks and underground tunnels. I try to think of how to phrase my feelings, but they sound small in comparison to the stressor. As Declan’s partner, I should drop everything to help him. I understand that and am more than willing to. But I’m worried what might happen if it continues on as a pattern.
“I struggle with not feeling upset at him for things like this. Being his assistant is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s exhausting. I’m worried things will only get worse once he’s CEO. I can’t help wondering how it could tear us apart as a couple, adding resentment that shouldn’t even be there if I wasn’t his employee as well as his wife.”
“And if you have a baby…”
“There’s no way I could be pregnant and keep up with his crazy schedule. I’d spend more time asleep on my desk than I would spend working at it.”
She laughs. “Do you plan on finding a replacement sometime soon?”
“I’m not sure… I haven’t considered it since I thought about transferring jobs.”
“It could be nice to give it another thought, especially if you’re more serious as a couple now. Sometimes what feels wrong in one moment can feel perfectly right later on.”
“He won’t want to let me go.”
“He might not, but it’s to be expected. I hear you’re amazing at your job and really kick ass.”
My smile wobbles. “Thanks, but it feels like my ass is the one being kicked right now.”
“Sometimes life is like that. Not every plan can work out the way you want it to.” Zahra slams on the brakes and the golf cart screeches to a halt.
“This is the closest I can get you to his location without actually driving where guests can see me.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Thank me by kicking Seth’s ass.” She shoves my backpack into my hands. “Go! Take the back alleys so you can avoid the crowds.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I’m nothing but shaky limbs and protesting lungs as I chase after the little blue dot that marks Declan’s location. I don’t stop running until I find Declan, Yakura, and Seth all talking. Well, more like Seth is talking and Declan looks about one minute away from shoving him into the nearest fountain a hundred feet away.
Mr. Yakura’s eyes land on me. “Iris!”
I can’t respond as I keel over, slapping my hands against my thighs as I take in a few deep breaths. My breathing doesn’t seem to get any better, and my throat feels like someone wrapped their hands around it and hasn’t stopped squeezing.
I stare at two dark shoes stopping in front of me.
“Where’s your inhaler?” Declan’s voice seems rough and on edge.
It makes me bristle.
“Your inhaler, Iris.” His tone has a bit more bite to it.
I point at my tiny backpack in between wheezes. He makes quick work of finding the red canister amongst all the Dreamland junk I’ve collected over the last twenty-four hours.
“Here.” He uncaps it before passing it to me.
I go through the motions, and my breathing becomes easier as the medicine makes its way through my system. Declan steals it back from my hand and packs it away.
I rise up and look over at Mr. Yakura with a shy smile. With the way his eyes shift from Declan to me back to Declan again, he seems almost smitten by his overbearing display.
It was kind of cute. I’ll give him that and only that today. Even though he is acting like a total ass right now, not even bothering to look at me as he stares down his father with a scowl.
“I was wondering where you were.” Yakura pulls me in for a big hug.
I catch Seth shooting lasers at me from afar, and I give him a little wave with my free hand.
“Where’s your wife?”
He releases me from his embrace. “She stayed at the hotel. Had I realized you would be joining us, I would have brought her along.”
“What if we go get her?”
His whole face lights up. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to put anyone out by changing our plans.”
“Nonsense. We can’t spend the day at Dreamland without her. It wouldn’t be right.”
He winks. “This is why I like you.”
Seth stares at me like an enemy he wants to destroy, so I welcome his challenging gaze with one of my own. It’s his fault Declan and I were put in this position in the first place.
And I don’t plan on forgetting it.
