Page 31 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

Bob hopped into the passenger seat, his tongue already lolling out of his mouth from excitement over the pending drive. I flipped him a couple of Pupperonis—the last of my stash—and he slobbered all over my black leather seats as he gobbled them down. Then I ruffled his soft ears and asked Siri to call Ice.

She answered sounding peeved.

“I sent Preston over so I didn’t have to talk to you while I’m painting.”

“Love you too. Gimme Shelby’s address.” I’d ask for her email address if I had to, but I’d start at the top and work my way down.

“What? No. Stalker.”

I laughed as I started the car and my baby Vi purred to life. She sounded like a dream. My hands tingled as I wrapped them around the steering wheel. “It’s just so we can discuss work. I’ll be a complete gentleman.”

“Liar. You think she’s hot.”

“I didn’t notice. Besides, I’m saving myself for you.”

“Shut up. Don’t make me regret this, Shaw. I’m so not kidding.” She rattled off an address. “If you piss her off, I will lie and say you raided my phone. I’m trusting you, Dexterous.”

“Like I can trust you not to tell Bishop about my considering Eli?”

Understandably, she said nothing.

I sighed. “Look, I get you probably thought you were helping to pave the way for me contacting him by getting Bishop to put in a good word.”

“Did he not?”

“I have no idea. But I wasn’t ready to contact Eli in any case. Not just yet.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” I sighed. “But I know your heart was in the right place.”

“It was. You know I love you. But if this supposed reno goes sideways in any way, you can find yourself another admin. Count on it.”

“I’m on it. Plus, I’ll bring her flowers. Always works.”

“And Nestlé Crunch for Berry. Though Shelby sneaks half when she thinks no one is looking.”

Hopefully, the drugstore would have candy and decent fresh flowers.

“Dex?”

“Sure thing. Nestlé Crunch it is.”

“Don’t be weird about the kid. Shelby is prickly to begin with and super on guard for any slights against Berry. They…haven’t had it easy. Being a single mom, man, it’s tough. Ask my mom.” Isis let out a long exhale. “Better yet, ask your mom. She heard all about it.”

“Yeah. I get you, Ice. We talked about her ex some yesterday. I get that he was an asshole,” I said quietly, signaling as I veered left at the stop sign. “I don’t want to make anything harder for her. In fact, that’s exactly why this meeting can’t wait. I want her to know she’s in charge here.”

“Hmm.”

“I mean it.”

“Dex, what aren’t you telling me?”

I signaled again onto the road that would take me to the highway. “Nothing. Just I want to apologize to Shelby. I might have…miscalculated how to handle this job.”

“You better spill it to me next time we talk.”

“I will.”

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