Page 2 of A Baby For Her Billionaire BFF

“Sounds fun,” she says, surprising me. “We’ll… think about it. Right, Oliver?”

“Right,” I echo, the word feeling foreign on my tongue.

Think about it? There’s nothing to think about. Parties mean crowds, noise, and small talk — all things I avoid like a poorly designed experiment.

Ben gives us a thumbs-up before wandering off in search of his next recruits, leaving me to wonder how a simple invitation could suddenly make me feel like I’m standing at the edge of a precipice, peering into the unknown.

I shuffle the papers in front of me, wishing I had even more work to keep us busy. “I don’t know, Nora,” I murmur.

The memory of crowded rooms and spilled drinks from freshman-year parties makes me grimace. Every time I tried going to one of those, I felt like a fish out of water.

“Come on.” She leans back in her chair, giving me that look — the one that’s part challenge, part plea. Her eyes, bright with the promise of something beyond these library walls, are hard to resist. “We’ve been at this for hours. My brain feels like it’s turned to mush.”

“Mine too,” I admit, but the pile of books seems to whisper my name, urging me to stay grounded in their familiar embrace.

“Besides,” she continues, fingers drumming on the table with an infectious rhythm, “we’re graduating soon. How many more chances will we get to be irresponsible before real life kicks in?”

The word “irresponsible” usually sends shivers down my spine, echoes of a childhood spent pinching pennies and making every moment count. But there’s sincerity in Nora’s voice, and I can’t ignore the fact that she’s right. Our days of carefree youth are numbered, dwindling faster than the sand in an hourglass.

“Okay, okay,” I concede, pushing away visions of my meticulously planned future. I can afford a little bit of fun for one night. “One party won’t derail us, I suppose.”

“Exactly!” She beams, the victory clear in her smile. She begins to pack up her things, her movements brisk and efficient. “It’ll be fun, you’ll see. You might even enjoy yourself if you stop thinking about grad school applications for five minutes.”

“Harsh, but fair.” I chuckle, the sound alien to my own ears — light, unburdened.

“Promise me something?” I say, slowing my steps so we’re walking side by side.

“Anything,” she replies, her gaze meeting mine.

“Let’s stick together tonight, okay? If it gets to be too much?—”

“Deal,” she interrupts, understanding without needing the words. “We’re in this together, remember?”

“Right,” I agree, feeling a warmth that has nothing to do with the warm spring. Together, just like all those late-night frozen yogurt runs and shared study sessions.

As we step through the library doors, leaving behind my natural habitat, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement. Maybe letting loose isn’t such a bad idea after all.

Especially if it’s with Nora by my side.

CHAPTER 2

NORA

The whir of my blow dryer battles against the upbeat pop music streaming from Lynn’s phone. We’ve turned my tiny apartment bathroom into a makeshift salon, steam fogging up the mirror and makeup strewn across every surface.

“Could you pass me the volumizing mousse?” I ask, eyeing my limp hair with dismay.

“Sure thing,” she says, her voice efficient and nurse-like even when she’s not on a shift at the hospital.

She hands me the bottle, and I work it through my roots, hoping for a miracle.

“Oliver’s going to be there tonight, right?” Lynn asks casually as she expertly applies eyeliner.

My stomach does that familiar flip. Oliver. Just his name sends my heart racing. I nod, trying to sound nonchalant. “Yeah, he mentioned he’d come.”

“Ooh, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome himself.” Lynn wiggles her eyebrows in the mirror at me, but when I meet her gaze, I can’t muster more than a half-smile.

“Can I tell you something?” I pause, unsure why the confession feels like a boulder at the edge of a cliff.

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