Page 38 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

If I had a woman I loved, I was pretty sure I’d want to put a ring on it. I’d never been in love. Not even for a weekend. Deep down, I was concerned I was more like my father than I wished. I had my doubts he’d ever loved my mother, since he’d been cheating on her for years, with her tacit agreement.

Then why the hell be married at all?

“Dex?”

I blinked, looking at Shelby while she grabbed Bob’s leash and drew him away from a container of colorful footballs. “What did I miss?”

“Just your dog about to swan dive into that bin.”

Berry giggled. “He wanted to climb in.”

“Bob? I don’t believe it.”

My dog flashed me his most innocent expression. I was not fooled. I glanced at Berry. “Do you want to pick out a football for the little rascal?”

Her cheeks flushed. “Yes!” She glanced at her mom. “Can I?”

Shelby gave a quick nod. “Why not?”

Berry picked out a pink and white one that Bob immediately snatched—carefully, so he didn’t hurt her—and together, we headed for the checkout.

“Why not indeed,” I said under my breath as I gently nudged Shelby forward with a hand on her lower back. She shot me a look, but it was closer to speculation than a warning.

Progress.

Even if I had no clue what my end game was in this situation, other than making my home into a place that actually felt like me. The me I really was instead of the role I’d slipped into at work. Successful shark of a divorce lawyer who always wore a smile and would take your ex to the cleaners while still asking about the family and slipping Milk Bones to the dog. It was a fine line to walk.

It was also bullshit, more and more every day. I was beginning to understand why Preston had tired of the farce and had decided to start his own firm with his best friend.

Of course, I didn’t have a best friend who was a lawyer. But I had Isis, so if I wanted to do something different, maybe branch out a little, she’d be by my side. Cheering me on and/or threatening to sic the combined powers of our mothers on me if I didn’t straighten up and fly right, just as she always did.

I was a lucky bastard.

Berry grabbed some dog bones for Bob at the counter and slipped them into our order without her mother being any the wiser. I nodded and smiled to let her know it was fine and we grinned at our shared secret.

“Stopped raining,” I said cheerfully as we approached the dripping car, drying in the sun.

“Yep.” Shelby cornered me by the trunk as we put away our purchases.

Including the kibble, which I’d had to go back inside to get since I’d forgotten it, despite it being the express purpose for going to the store.

Until I’d seen Berry’s delight in shopping for Bob. Then that had become the purpose and nothing else mattered.

Bob would have begged to differ at dinnertime, however.

“I saw that dog bone slip,” she said in an undertone as Berry clambered into the car with Bob.

I lifted my eyebrows. “Are you accusing moi?”

“No, I’m saying she’s having fun and I…thank you. I know this is probably lame for you.”

“It’s not lame. I like your daughter, Shelby. I have from the first, when you called me a weirdo for talking to her.”

“I did not call you a weirdo. Out loud,” she amended.

I laughed. “I like her. She’s honest and straightforward. I’m finding that quality to be very attractive in her mother too.”

“So, you’re a masochist.”

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