Page 23 of A Baby For Her Billionaire BFF

The moment the buyer and his team are gone, Ben turns to the rest of us. “This calls for a celebration! What do you say?”

A chorus of agreement fills the space, but it’s my voice that shocks them all. “I’m in.” It feels strange saying it out loud, almost alien. But after what we’ve achieved, it seems only right.

“Really?” Ben arches an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “The Oliver Wolfe? Stepping out of the office? This I have to see.”

Laughter ripples through the group as they gather their belongings and head out. We spill into the elevator, a little cramped but buzzing with electricity. The doors slide open at the lobby, and we make our way toward the exit, the city lights beckoning us to celebrate.

Once we’re outside, Ben falls into step next to me and lowers his voice. “You sure you’re not just tagging along for a certain someone?” His gaze flicks subtly toward Nora, who’s laughing at something one of the other team members said.

“Of course not.” The words are sharper than I intended. “It’s about the team, Ben. You know that.”

My attempt at nonchalance probably isn’t fooling anyone, least of all Ben.

“All right, man,” he says with a chuckle, holding up his hands in surrender. “Just curious. I always did think you two would have made a great couple.”

I frown. “She works for me.”

“Okay, okay.” He says it like that doesn’t matter one bit, and of course, it doesn’t to him.

We’ve grown closer over the years, going from acquaintances in college to the closest of friends, but in some ways, we’re still as different as can be.

Of course there’s a part of me that can’t deny the allure of spending time with Nora outside the confines of the office. But my work comes first, and I don’t have time for a relationship, so I shove any thoughts of touching her hand or tasting her lips as far down as they will go.

We stride into the bar, its warm glow enveloping us. The place is lively, filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. I order a round for everyone, determined to show them a side of me they rarely see — the guy who can let loose and have fun, not just the CEO who’s married to his work.

“All right, everyone,” I announce, raising my glass. “To one deal closed and a future that just keeps getting brighter!”

“Cheers!” they echo, and for a moment, all professional barriers dissolve into the night.

Laughter bubbles around us as the group settles into the rhythm of the bar, like a record that’s found its groove. Though I’ve convinced myself that I need to keep my distance from Nora, there is one thing I need to talk to her about, and so I find myself inching closer to her.

“Hey, Nora.” I lean in, trying to sound casual. “You know, I couldn’t help but wonder… why didn’t you reach out when you moved back into town?”

She pauses, her glass hovering mid-air, and fixes me with a look — partly incredulous, partly wounded.

“Oliver.” She sets her drink down with a soft clink against the wood. “You stopped responding to my emails years ago. Why on earth would I reach out? I’m not gonna do that just to be ignored again.”

It’s like a punch to the gut. The noise of the bar fades into a dull roar behind her words. I had no idea she counted the time, that she noticed the silence between us. But she did. And it mattered.

“God, Nora, I—” My throat tightens, and I have to take a moment because it never occurred to me that my silence hurt her that much. “I’m sorry. I truly am.”

There’s a softness that overtakes her features, like the easing of a clenched fist.

“It’s okay. We both got caught up in our lives,” she says, and there’s forgiveness there but also a hint of distance — the span of years we let stretch between us.

Determined, I make a silent pledge; I’m going to spend tonight trying to bridge that gap.

“Can I buy you a drink? A peace offering of sorts and a toast to new beginnings?”

Her lips curl into a smile, hesitant but genuine. “Sure,” she agrees, and I feel a spark of hope light up inside me.

As we make our way to the bar, I ask her questions, digging into the parts of her life I’ve missed. What was law school like? What was her life in Seattle like? With each answer, she gives me more than just facts; she gives me glimpses of her passion, her drive, and the fire that’s been burning in her all these years.

“Seeing someone’s life turn around because you believed in them…” She trails off, shaking her head with a mix of wonder and pride. “There’s nothing quite like it.”

I nod, captivated. “Sounds like you’re doing exactly what you were meant to do.”

She’s about to answer when Ben takes the small karaoke stage in the corner of the bar. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he says into the microphone. “I’m gonna need a partner for my first song.”

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