“Is there something considered more rash than adopting a dog?”
“I sure as hell don’t want to find out.” He pats the dog’s head.
I glare at him. “I thought you were angry with me.”
“I am, but I want what’s best for Iris, even if that happens to be you.”
“Thanks a lot for the backhanded compliment, asshole.”
He shrugs. “Like you need any more self-esteem boosting.”
“Seeing as my wife wants nothing to do with me, I could use all the help I can get.”
“Who knew you being in love would make you this pathetic?”
“If you think this is pathetic, wait until you see what I have planned next.”
1 ? Noun, German: Longing, desire, yearning, or craving.
47
IRIS
“A re we almost there?”
When Cal asked me to go on an errand with him, I thought he meant a quick trip to the grocery store. We have long passed the grocery store and any sign of civilization.
“Yes.” He taps the steering wheel to the beat of the music streaming from the radio.
“It feels like we’ve been going around in circles for hours.”
He laughs. “It’s been thirty minutes. Max.”
A lightning bolt cuts across the sky. “It’s about to rain.”
“How convenient,” he replies with a dry voice.
“Are you going to tell me what you have planned or are you sticking with the element of surprise on this one?”
“I’m not the one surprising you.”
“What?”
He pulls over and unlocks the doors. “Get out.”
“Are you joking?”
“Unfortunately not. Although I’m sure you wish I was.”
I don’t move a muscle. Cal hops out of the car and circles around the hood to open my door. “Come on.”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“Stop being dramatic. We passed a Starbucks ten minutes ago.”
“Why are we even here?” I’m too shocked to do anything but follow him out of the car.
“Just give him a second.”
“Tell me you didn’t set me up.” I look around, trying to find the him Cal speaks of.
My comment goes unanswered as Cal jumps into his car and does a dramatic U-turn away from me. His tires squeal as he accelerates down the road, leaving me choking on car exhaust.
“What the hell?” I grab my phone from my purse and dial his number.
The dick sends me straight to voicemail.
I start talking the moment it beeps to leave a message. “You better have a good reason for ditching me like this—”
My rant is cut off by a car driving down the road. I’ve seen enough crime documentaries to know nothing good comes from hitchhiking with a stranger.
I search the perimeter for somewhere to hide, except I’m surrounded by flat land and a few pieces of garbage. “Fuck. Cal, I’m going to kill you tonight in your sleep. Dead or alive.”
As the car gets closer, I realize it isn’t a car at all, but a white minivan.
One that looks awfully similar to those serial killer vans everyone warns women to stay away from. My heart pounds harder against my chest, fighting for a way to get out.
I cross my fingers and whisper, “Please don’t be an ax murderer. Please don’t be an ax murder—”
I startle at the sound of a horn followed by a loud bark.
“Need a ride?”
My eyes widen at the sound of Declan’s voice. “No fucking way.” I bite down on my tongue and a metallic taste immediately floods my mouth.
I guess this is really happening.
Declan steps out of the vehicle wearing his best suit. “I have somewhere I need to be, so if you want a ride, you’re going to need to hop in.” He leans against the hood of the car like this isn’t the weirdest situation ever.
I open my mouth to ask why Cal set me up, only to be cut off by a clap of lightning.
He raises a brow. “So, are we going or do you want to get electrocuted?”
I stomp my way toward the passenger side and open the door. “Drop me off at Starbucks down the road.”
“I’m going in the opposite direction.”
“Then make a U-turn.” I take a seat before the sky opens up above us.
He doesn’t answer me as he shuts my door with a small smile.
“What—” My reply is cut off by a dog barking.
I check out the back seat and find a massive dog attached to some kind of animal car seat. He is covered in fur from head to paws, and I can barely make out his eyes due to his giant poof. I’m surprised he can even fit in the back seat based on the sheer size of him.