Page 89 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

“Because I haven’t given you any reason not to?”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath as she played with my fingers. “Yeah.”

“I didn’t touch Kate. Not one time. I told myself I didn’t care if you didn’t believe me, but it turns out I do. Being a decent person is important and not just to get a woman in bed. Or to keep her in your bed. The woman being you, in case that wasn’t clear.”

“I believe you, Dex. My reaction was unwarranted. I was just overwhelmed from what had happened between us and I took it out on you. And I have a very bad habit of expecting bad things to happen if I have a good day. Or night. Or both.”

“Your husband hurt you badly. I get that. I know you’re still dealing with repercussions.”

“I am. And I never saw a therapist, because honestly, I truly was okay with never dating again. Never having sex again. Just being a daughter and a mom and a designer. I didn’t need more. At least I thought I didn’t.” She swallowed hard. “But I do. I like being with you. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I can still be a great mom and a great designer and learn to have multiple Os, dammit.”

“You sure can. Pretty sure you figured out the last one already. But practice makes perfect.” I tugged at her pencil skirt while keeping my gaze on the road. “What do you have under here, Ms. Wilde?”

“Nothing.”

I literally gasped, which made her giggle, my favorite sound in the entire universe.

“Are you pulling my leg?”

“Not the body part I’d like to pull.” Her flirty expression made me hard in an instant, even if I was sure she wasn’t telling the truth. “But yeah, I’m lying. I did wear my flag panties today though. And it’s not even June yet.”

“Imagine that. Did you find new Statue of Liberty ones? Shit.” I stopped at a light. “I wanted to go by your parents’ place first to get the dog.”

“We can after. She’ll be so excited she’ll want to see it right away.” She bit her lip. “You’re sure this isn’t wrecking your afternoon?”

“Nah, Isis will handle whatever needs to be handled and push off any appointments as necessary. She’s a goddess in many ways. I wish she had a law degree. Hmm, maybe I can convince her. I’ve never been able to before, but hey, maybe I’m becoming more persuasive as I age?”

“You’d probably pay for her law degree, wouldn’t you?”

“She’ll never go for it. I’m not that persuasive, babe.” The endearment rolled off my tongue and she didn’t immediately stiffen.

Progress. I’d take whatever I could get.

Shelby started to reply when her phone went off in her purse. She pried it out and frowned. “It’s Berry’s school. Hi, this is Shelby Wilde.” She listened for a minute, then said “okay, thank you” a couple of times and told whoever it was we were almost there.

Then she clicked off and stared at me with strands of her hair clinging to her lips, though she didn’t seem to notice. “Her teacher wants to talk to me. Berry had a rough day today. She spilled some of her supplies then had an outburst about cleaning them up.”

“You said she had more nightmares?”

“Yeah. Her sleep hasn’t been great, that’s for sure. But her teacher is concerned about bigger things based on a pattern of her behavior. Things I chalked up to normal kid stuff but maybe it’s just…not. I haven’t been paying enough attention.”

“Bigger things like what?” I shifted toward her on the seat.

“Her teacher thinks she may have ADHD.”

NINETEEN

Shelby seemedstunned as I pulled up to the school and found a space in the nearly full parking lot.

“Do you want me to come in with you?”

I wasn’t surprised when she shook her head, but it left me feeling helpless. Clearly, she was confused and worried and probably blaming herself. From what I could tell, that was what parents seemed to do about everything when it came to their kids, and it was even worse for single parents.

My friend Grant, the lead vet at the practice where my buddy Clint worked, was a single dad and he seemed to doubt his actions all the time when it came to handling things with his young daughter, Poppy. Just showed their dedication, as far as I was concerned.

“What can I do?” I asked quietly as Shelby picked up her purse and reached for her door handle.

She hesitated, biting her lip. “Just you being here helps. Especially now that you’ve told me what you’re facing too.”

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