Page 90 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

“Seems kind of crazy. I mean, what are the chances? Not that I was diagnosed now. It’s been months. I only saw the therapist my doctor suggested a couple times over Zoom and then basically buried my head.”

“It’s a lot to take in. You said—you said there are meds?”

“Yeah. I’ve never tried them.”

“But you’re thinking of trying them?”

“Yeah.” I undid the first couple buttons of my dress shirt. Damn thing was making me itch. “If it’ll help me, if it’ll maybe help Berry…I will.”

“Thank you.” She cupped my jiggling knee, and immediately, I steadied. “Thank you for being here and for being honest about what you’re dealing with. It helps so much.”

“I’ll help in any way I can. If you need me, just text. I’ll come right in.” I squeezed her fingers. “I’m not her father, Shelby, but I care. Believe me on that.”

“I do.” She leaned over the seat to lay her lips lightly on mine. “Thank you,” she said again before slipping away and shutting the door behind her.

The entire time she was inside, I fidgeted. I knew what I was doing and knew I should make the effort to stop, yet I didn’t. Now that I had an explanation for my behavior, I’d realized I had been fidgeting a good part of my life. It wasn’t always a part of ADHD, but it was for me. I was restless in mind, in body, in everything.

Especially when I didn’t do my bike rides or employed other ways of burning energy or when I had more on my mind than usual.

I texted Isis.

Did Eli get back to me yet? I left a message at his firm earlier. He wanted to meet tomorrow but something came up this afternoon. I want to be available jic.

I’d actually called before I reached Shelby’s office, because I’d wanted to keep my schedule open in case we needed to…reconcile. Not that she’d take the day off. But now Berry was in the mix too.

Isis

Well, hello to you too. Are u going to be gracing us with your presence this afternoon?

What us?

Isis

Your father was here for a couple of hours. U just missed him.

I was pretty sure I growled like a wild animal.

Checking up on me?

Isis

I suspect so, yes. He was happy to hear that Eli might be coming on board, altho u haven’t even interviewed him yet. But I forgot myself and let it slip you’d contacted him & next thing I know, Isaac was all up my butt wanting his every personal detail so he could do a background run.

Tell him to eff off.

Isis

Yeah, right. U ok? Did your mom tell u the news?

Yeah, I was w her. We were w her.

Isis

Shelby’s there too?

Yeah. Save the comments, ok? It’s been a day & it’s not over yet.

As if I’d summoned them, Shelby and Berry walked out of the building. Berry was moving fast as she always did, clutching her book bag tightly to her side. But when she looked up and saw my car, her face cracked into the biggest smile.

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