Page 35 of A Baby For Her Billionaire BFF

“Hey,” I say, stepping aside to let him in.

“Hi,” he replies, and then we’re in each other’s arms, sharing a kiss that’s usually enough to set off fireworks in my chest.

Tonight, though, there’s a flicker of something else behind his lips — a tremor, maybe? A shadow?

“Everything okay?” I murmur against his cheek, my hands finding their familiar place at the small of his back.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, and there’s a hesitation that wasn’t there yesterday. “Yeah, just tired. Work stuff.”

“Of course.” I nod, leading him to the kitchen, where the table is set for two.

The scent of garlic and rosemary fills the air as we sit down across from each other. It’s cozy in here, our knees almost touching under the table, surrounded by the warm glow of candlelight. But as I serve the chicken piccata, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s miles away.

He picks up his fork and pokes at his food, his gaze distant. “Nora, there’s something I need to tell you.”

I set my own fork down, my stomach clenching. “What’s wrong?”

Oliver takes a deep breath, and suddenly he looks so much younger, like a lost kid rather than the confident man I know him to be. “My father has cancer. I just found out today.”

My heart sinks. “Oh, Oliver, I’m so sorry.” I reach for his hand, squeezing it tight.

He nods, looking down at our intertwined fingers. “Thanks. He’s not… We haven’t been close. You know that.”

I do know. The snippets of childhood stories he’s shared have always painted a picture of strained silences and colder holidays. But the full canvas of his past? That’s still a mystery to me.

“Are you going to see him?” I ask gently, knowing that this isn’t just about a trip; it’s about facing demons he thought he left behind years ago.

“Tomorrow,” he says. “I’m flying out first thing in the morning. I have to.”

“Of course,” I say softly, my mind already racing ahead, wondering how I can support him through this.

Because that’s what you do when you love someone. You show up, even when it’s hard. Especially then.

The silence between us becomes a living thing, filling the small kitchen with its weight until Oliver reaches across the table, his hand over mine. His touch sends a jolt through me, grounding and electric all at once.

“Come with me,” he says suddenly, and I can tell it’s a plea even before his eyes meet mine, earnest and a little scared.

“Really?” I can’t keep the surprise out of my voice.

It’s not just an invitation; it’s a door to the part of his life he’s kept under lock and key.

“Yeah.” He gives a half-smile. “I don’t want to do this alone, Nora.”

And just like that, my decision is made. “Okay. I’ll come.”

My response is firm, the words woven with the unspoken promise that I’m here for whatever he needs.

His relief is palpable, but there’s a hesitation in his smile, a flicker of concern that mirrors my own. Everyone at work will notice when neither one of us is there tomorrow.

We both know what this means; stepping out of town together raises questions we’ve carefully avoided at the office. The murmurs about our relationship, still a secret kept close to our chests, will only grow louder in our absence.

But as I watch him, the man who’s been my friend, my boss, and now something so much more, I can’t bring myself to care about the wagging tongues and raised eyebrows. This isn’t about optics or office politics; it’s about being there for the person I love.

“Are you sure?” I ask. Because it’s one thing to face whispers behind your back, and it’s another to invite them.

“Absolutely.” His voice carries a certainty that makes me believe him, makes me believe in us.

“Okay,” I say again, because what else is there to say? We’re crossing into uncharted territory, but with Oliver, I feel fearless.

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