Page 62 of Iris
I’m glad for the support. I just wish I had Violet here. She’d make everything better than this.
The mood’s slipped. Low.
Right now, it feels like we’re at a wake.
Which, I guess we are.
For my eligibility and reputation.
Everyone’s at that wake, mourning that death of eligibility and reputation, except me. I’m at a party in my head, screaming yes to the heavens.
Heath frowns. “That promise of being good, Iris? Of accepting callers and the like?”
“Yes?” My brother’s killing that inner party.
“Not good enough. Clearly.” He takes a breath like he’s gulping down booze. Then he looks at Mom. “We need a dress for this ball that’s coming up. A makeover. Nice hair, makeup, something that says soft, eligible. Approachable.”
Mom perks up at that. “We can go shopping?—”
“First thing in the morning,” he says.
“I bought a dress and shoes, Heath,” I state.
He waves that off. “You can wear that later. Mom’s dealing with this.”
“But—”
“Or I am.”
I stare him down and he stares me down right back and Quinn gives my hand a squeeze, but then his terrible, cold and thundery gaze hits her and she lets go. The traitor.
“You are not.”
“Don’t argue with me or I’ll buy all your dresses.”
“Mom, girls, go about your business. Iris, my office. Quinn—” He shakes his head and this time there isn’t even a flickerof amusement around his mouth. “Why are you even here? Go home.”
“Don’t be an ape, Heather.” But Quinn gives me a hug and leaves. I trail Heath into his study.
“That was rude.”
“Everything you do is rude and out of order, Iris, just taking a page out of your book. He stands at his desk, back to me, as he looks at something on his laptop. Then he straightens. “You need to up the game.”
“Up the game?”
“In finding a match.”
“There’s only been one ball, Heath. The Season just started. I didn’t like the dude you dragged in here.” I cross my arms and tap a finger at my cheek. “I am allowed to choose someone I like, right? Or is it just anyone? You don’t care if I’m happy or miserable, you just want to mate me off to the highest bidder regardless if I like him.”
“Not the highest bidder,” he says, all sarcastic, “just the one who’ll take you and isn’t scandal ridden.”
I throw my hands up. “That’s right, we need to stop the scandal of Dad’s money issues, don’t we?”
“Iris.” He slams a fist down on the desk. “Drop the attitude. You’ll go out with whomever asks and that’s final. That is, if any turn up to ask you out.”
“He’s with Alicia.”
“She’ll drop him like he’s hot.” He clicks his tongue. “I’m aware she’s a vacuous creature.”
