Page 119 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

“Oh, wow. That’s a good idea.” I walked over to look at the cover. It was a unicorn with flowing hair—rainbow-colored, of course. I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “Is it helping?”

“Yeah. A lot is changing. Not in a bad way,” she added in a rush, as if she was the parent and I was the child.

I’d noticed her doing that a lot, trying to mitigate my concerns before I’d even voiced them.

Yet another thing I hadn’t been paying attention to while trying to juggle the bills and work and my daughter.

“I get what you mean.” I sat on the edge of her bed, which was just a couple inches away from her desk. I couldn’t compete with the space she’d have at Dex’s, so I wasn’t even going to think about it. “You would tell me if something wasn’t working for you? If you were worried or concerned or didn’t like anything?”

She nodded.

“I mean, really? You wouldn’t shove it down and tell that book instead of letting me know something wasn’t making you happy?”

“Mom, Dex loves us.” She said it as if it was the most logical, easy-to-understand concept ever. “He won’t hurt us. Hewantsus there.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “He’s nothing like Dad. Okay?”

I looked down at my hands as I clenched them in my lap. “When did you get so smart?”

“Duh.I’ve always been this smart.”

I had to laugh as a text came through my phone in the pocket of my dress, the ringtone Spiderman’s theme song. It had seemed most appropriate for the man it signified.

I pulled out my cell.

Dex

Woman, where are you two? Hello, we have things to do!

A laugh spilled out of me, and it was only through sheer willpower I didn’t clutch my phone to my heart like a lovesick teen. Also, Berry was staring at me and I didn’t want to reveal how deep I was sunk.

Though she probably already knew. I was almost certain the whole world had figured it out from the hearts shooting from of my eyes at random times.

I hurried to text him back.

We’re on our way.

I stood and barely resisted ruffling Berry’s hair. She hated that and it was a hard habit to break from when she was younger. “You ready?”

“Yes!” She hopped to her feet and grabbed the metal dog-shaped piggy bank she’d had since she was six. It was stuffed with an assortment of change we hadn’t rolled and taken to the bank in forever. “I’m bringing my money so if I find a puppy or kitten, I’m ready.”

“Aww, honey, you don’t have to pay for our family pet. If we get one,” I added in my sternest voice.

Fat chanceifthere.

“I want to show I’m responsible.” The last word didn’t come out right, but I knew what word she was stumbling over because she’d mentioned that she was about twenty times. Ever since Dex had mentioned the speed dating event happening at Kitten Around, in tandem with the local vet’s office. That was where Dex had adopted Bob the previous fall.

A number of stray pets were held there when dog control brought in the dogs they found who didn’t have homes. Sometimes people brought in stray cats too.

Bottom line, there were so many more animals than there were good homes. Anyone who could help by adopting was encouraged to.

My girl had shown herself to be willing and able to do as much as she could for Bob. I was beginning to believe she really would do just fine taking care of another pet as well.

Assuming Bob was okay not being an only child. That remained to be seen.

Berry picked up her backpack and her overnight bag and I grabbed my own overnight bag before we headed downstairs.

At the last minute, I remembered I needed to water the plants. “You go on out.” I nudged her to the door. “I’ll be right behind you.”

I wasnotright behind her, since I had a number of plants to check on. But as soon as I stepped onto the stoop, Dex hit the horn and I had to laugh at Berry and Bob in the backseat of the convertible. It was hard to say which of them was wiggling more.

---