Page 117 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

Preston’s forehead wrinkled. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Multiple things are going very right.” I released a long breath and a lot of the tension bunching my shoulders flowed out with it. “But he’s gone through some growing pains with the law office, and I just think he would appreciate knowing you have his back.”

Isis nodded. “He really would. He needs his family’s support. Not talking about him behind his back but standing up for him and proving it.” She held up a hand. “And yeah, I’m not perfect either. My behavior has needed some help too. Just sayin’.”

I smiled gently at her. “None of us are perfect. I made my share of mistakes too. But he’s been so great with Berry’s potential diagnosis—” I cut myself off, sliding my gaze to Preston.

“What diagnosis?” Preston swallowed deeply, his eyes crinkling in the same way Dex’s did. “Is she okay?”

They really were more alike than different. So odd that I saw that so clearly now, but I was willing to bet neither of the brothers ever had.

“I can’t talk about it yet. She’ll be fine in the long run.” I softened my tone. “But we’re still figuring things out. Dex is so good with her. I think you’d be surprised in a very good way.”

I also didn’t want to say anything about Dex’s own diagnosis. That washissecret to tell—or not.

“Yeah. You know, maybe I’ll come by one day this week. Or next. Depending on his schedule. I want to see the renos.”

“Oh, that will be a bit. We’re just getting started. It’s not going to be quick, that’s for sure.”

“The dude is renovating his entirelife.” Isis took her seat as she gave me a long look. “Definitely a process.”

“Yeah. I’m still kind of amazed I get to be a part of it.”

“Partof it? Girl, you’re driving the damn train. Which is why I had to tell you we’d talked about my stupid crush thing. I want everything to be one-hundred-percent aboveboard because I love you both.” She leaned forward and grinned. “Girl, we good?”

“We’re so good. Thank you for telling me. I’m glad you did.” I reached across the table to squeeze her fingers.

I replayed parts of the dinner in my mind as I drove home. Well, drove to Dex’s. Which already surprisingly did feel like home, no matter how much I questioned myself and analyzed it. Not the physical structure necessarily, because that was in flux right now.

But being with Dex definitely did.

I’d no sooner pulled in the drive behind the Gideon Gets It Done construction trailer that had just taken residence tonight than the front door opened. Dex strolled out, a big smile on his face.

So many lights on in the windows of the rather enormous house behind him. All of them welcoming me. And the man who owned the house was standing on the top step, waiting for me as if I’d always been meant to be there—to be part of everything—but it had taken so long for me to see it. To seehim.

Not as one more thing to renovate or to tweak, but just to enjoy for his utter perfection right this very minute.

I climbed out of the car, opened my mouth—and started to cry.

His reaction was priceless.

“She told you. Aw, fuck, I should’ve been there. I didn’t think it through. I assumed you’d know it didn’t mean anything to me—I mean, of course it means something because I love her, she’s my best friend in the world, but I’m notinlove with her, because I’m in love with you.” He didn’t even stop to take a breath, just rolled on as if he’d mentioned grabbing a carton of milk at the store. “But even so, how can you know that if I’m not there to tell you? Especially with all you’ve been through? There’s something else I have to tell you.”

He rushed down the driveway and circled the car to take my elbows in his hands, drawing me up until our gazes were nearly level. His green eyes were so intent on mine they might as well have been lasers even in the early summer dusk.

“My father is friendly with your ex. I didn’t know it before I met you, I swear. But when I was looking into Judge Dick the first day you came over here for our meeting about the house, I saw them in pictures together online…” He trailed off, frowning as my tears turned into sputtering laughter. “Why are you laughing?”

“Judge Dick. It’s so spot-on. Even if he’s Berry’s father, he really is a dick.”

“Yeah. But I want to be everything he wasn’t.” His Adam’s apple bobbed visibly even in the near complete darkness. That was how much my little girl meant to him.

He couldn’t fake that. Hewouldn’t.

God, what had I done to get so lucky?

“I love you too.” I reached up to cup his cheek and the lasers wavered before he closed his eyes entirely and just enveloped me, dragging me up onto my toes as he surrounded me with warmth and joy and pleasure. All the very best things.

Oh, and love. Especially love.

---