Page 26 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
I internally groan at the question, not wanting to reveal my insecurities to him. “Not really anyone worth mentioning,” I reply vaguely, even though there’s no one.
Oliver glances over at me briefly before returning his focus to the road. “You know, there’s nothing wrong with being single,” he says. “You should only be with someone if they make you happy, not just to avoid being alone.”
“I know,” I reply, my voice low.
“Besides.” He clears his throat. “Sex isn’t all it’s cut out to be.”
I raise my brows. “Really?”
He shrugs, struggling to find the right words until he eventually gives up. “Okay, I won’t lie. It’s pretty great.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “It must be, considering Jason cheated on me just to have it.”
He glances at me. “Of course, if your partner isn’t faithful to you… then it won’t matter how ‘great’ it is. It’s never worth it.”
I peer down at my purse in my lap.
“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself about what happened with Jason,” he replies. “It could have happened to anyone. Hey, if you ever need any advice, ask.”
I turn to him, realizing that might be a good idea. “Actually, I might take you up on that. You can give me a male perspective.”
He nods, but I think it might surprise him I agreed. “Sure.”
I purse my lips in thought, considering what kind of question to ask him first. I decide to take a chance and ask the one thing that has been on my mind for a while.
“Do you think it’s possible for a person to love someone but still cheat?”
Oliver’s jaw visibly tightens as he gathers his thoughts before answering.
“If this is about Jason…” he starts, but I interrupt.
“It’s just a question,” I insist. “I want to hear a male’s perspective.”
“Love is never easy,” he begins slowly, pondering his words. “And it’s definitely not simple. Anytime feelings are involved, there will be complexity and tough choices that have to be made.” He pauses, then adds in a softer voice, “But I believe that if you’re truly in love with someone, you won’t have eyes for anyone else. It’s a choice you have to make.”
He glances at me, his blue eyes piercing into mine. I feel my cheeks heat. “Do you think it’s wrong for a woman to make a man wait?”
Oliver’s eyes widen slightly at my question. “It depends on the situation,” he says carefully. “If a woman needs time to figure out her own feelings, that’s understandable. But if she’s just playing games or stringing the guy along, then yeah, that’s not fair to anyone involved. That works both ways, though. Gender doesn’t matter.”
I feel a pang of guilt in my chest at his words. “I’m not trying to play games with anyone,” I mumble. “It’s just complicated. Why am I in the wrong for wanting to wait until I meet someone who’s truly committed to me?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think you’re to blame at all,” he assures me, and I know exactly what he’s referring to: Jason cheating. “Don’t feel fooled. Men can stay faithful if they really want to.”
“What about your dating life?” I breathe, glancing over at him.
Oliver chuckles. “What dating life? I’m married to my work, and I have my daughter, remember?”
“Right,” I say, my cheeks growing warm once more.
But in the silence that follows, a bold, unbidden thought flashes through my mind. What if Oliver could teach me? He’s experienced, undoubtedly, and the pull I feel toward him is undeniably magnetic. Yet, the very notion sends a jolt of panic, mingled with an inexplicable thrill, straight through me. He’s not just my boss; he’s my best friend’s brother, and he’s woven irrevocably into the fabric of my life—crossing that line could unravel everything.
I push the dangerous thought to the back of my mind, deciding to focus on the familiar streets passing by as we make our way home. Yet, the idea, once rooted, now refuses to budge. It’s blossoming into a fantasy I dare not voice.
Chapter 10
Oliver
Thesunisalreadysetting by the time we arrive home, casting a pinkish-orange hue across the neighborhood. I pull into the driveway and kill the engine.
