Page 3 of A Baby For Her Billionaire BFF

It’s just Oliver. But it’s not just Oliver, and Lynn, of all people, would understand that.

“Of course. You can tell me anything. What’s up?” She caps her eyeliner, giving me her undivided attention.

I take a deep breath, letting the air out slowly before taking a leap and just going for it. “I have this… crush on Oliver. It’s ridiculous because I’m pretty sure he doesn’t see me that way. You know, beyond being friends.”

“Hey, your feelings are never ridiculous.” Her voice is soft, which is exactly what I need right now.

She puts down her makeup brush and turns to face me fully, a gesture that screams “I’m here for you” louder than words ever could.

“Thanks,” I say, fiddling with the hem of my dress. “It’s just… he’s always so friendly, and we have such great conversations. But when it comes to anything beyond that, I’m invisible to him.”

“Have you tried flirting? Like, obvious flirting?” she suggests, tilting her head thoughtfully.

“Me? Flirt?” I let out a laugh that sounds more like a snort. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“Start with being yourself. You’re amazing, Nora. And maybe tonight, just try dropping a few hints. See how he responds.” She picks her blush brush back up and adds a finishing touch to her cheeks.

“Maybe,” I murmur, though the butterflies in my stomach turn into frantic birds at the thought.

I glance at my reflection again, focusing on the hopeful sparkle in my eyes that I usually keep hidden away. Tonight, though, it might just be time to let that light shine a little brighter.

“Ready?” my cousin asks.

“Ready.” I gulp.

“Then let’s do this.” She’s so pumped up that I can’t help but catch some of her infectious confidence.

“All right, party mode: activate.” I manage a genuine smile this time, bolstered by the support of someone who always sees the positive side of life.

I’m lucky that she’s here in Chicago, family that I can lean on when my parents are over a hundred miles away.

“How do I look?” I stand back and do a spin so she can inspect me.

“Hm.” She taps her chin. “Beautiful, but you need some jewelry.”

She dashes to my jewelry display and selects a piece. Her fingers dance over the clasp of my necklace with the silver ballet slipper, securing it around my neck with a click that seems to echo in the quiet space of anticipation between us.

“There.” She steps back to appraise her work with a critical eye. “Perfect.”

I catch sight of myself in the mirror — hair cascading in loose waves, the shimmering dress hugging my curves, and the necklace lying like a promise against my collarbone. I’m not just Nora tonight; I’m possibly-in-love-with-Ollie-but-too-scared-to-admit-it Nora. The thought sends an unfamiliar thrill through me, mingled with nerves.

“Lynn…” My voice comes out as a whisper, betraying the sudden tightness in my throat. She turns to me, and I can see the empathy in her eyes, the understanding that only someone who I’ve known my whole life can possess.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Her voice is soft, but there’s steel in it too — the kind of resilience that defines her. “Just go with the flow tonight. Be open to wherever the night takes you, you know?”

“Wherever the night takes me,” I repeat, trying on the idea like a delicate piece of jewelry. It feels foreign, risky, yet exhilarating.

Could this really be the night when everything changes? When the invisible thread that has connected me to Oliver since the day we met becomes something tangible?

“Exactly! Life’s unpredictable, Nora. All you can do is put your best foot forward, keep your heart open, and see what happens.”

I nod because she’s right. Lynn has always been about action — stepping confidently into emergency rooms and making split-second decisions. If she can do that, surely I can handle whatever this party throws at me.

“Okay.” I square my shoulders as if preparing for battle rather than a night out. “Open heart. No expectations. Just… see what happens.”

“Exactly!” She beams at me, proud and reassuring. “And remember, no matter what happens, I’m here for you. You’re brilliant and beautiful. Oliver would be lucky to have you notice him.”

“Thanks.” I smile, feeling the warmth of being seen, of being believed in.

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