Page 48 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
“It’s gorgeous,” she retorts. “You’re crazy to even want to get rid of it.”
“It looks cursed,” Oliver mumbles. He turns to Alice and me. As soon as he sees Alice, his entire face lights up, cracking into an ear-to-ear grin as Alice bounds into his arms.
“Daddy!” she calls out.
“Hey, kiddo,” he says, and I watch as Oliver twirls Alice around in the air, her infectious laughter filling the parking lot.
“You never do that to me,” Fred teases, then turns to Erica. “Your brother said you wanted this enormous thing.”
“Thanks,” Erica blushes, then points out my car. “I apologize on my brother’s behalf. I at least expected him to be the one carrying it.”
“Don’t worry, I’m a big, strapping man,” Fred replies as he follows behind Erica toward the car. “How’s your day been?” I hear him ask as I pop open the trunk.
“Why don’t we go inside?” Oliver says, taking Alice’s hand.
We follow Oliver through the lobby doors and toward the bank of elevators. The elevator door opens to reveal an empty space, and the three of us walk on.
“How’s your car running?” he asks as the doors close.
“Much better,” I tell him with a small smile. “I missed being able to drive myself around.”
He furrows his brows. “You mean you haven’t enjoyed having me as your very own chauffer?”
I laugh. “You know that isn’t what I mean.”
Once we’re off the elevator, we cross over toward Oliver’s office, where Jamie is seated at her desk right outside of Oliver’s door. Despite our previous interactions, there’s always been a hint of something in her demeanor toward me that I can’t quite put my finger on. A subtle undertone that suggests she might not be my biggest fan. I’ve tried to shake off this feeling numerous times, attributing it to general workplace formality or maybe even her own reserved nature. However, I can’t help but feel the need to break whatever barrier that seems to be there.
“Good afternoon, Jamie,” I say, giving her a friendly wave, making an extra effort to appear open and approachable.
Jamie looks up, and for a fleeting moment, I catch something akin to apprehension in her eyes before it’s quickly masked by a professional smile. “Oh, Miss Turner. It’s good to see you,” she replies, her tone polite, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Internally, I sigh. Is it just my imagination, or does she really seem less than thrilled whenever I’m around? I wonder. The thought lingers uncomfortably, and despite knowing it might be insignificant, I can’t help but feel slightly discouraged. I’ve always prided myself on getting along with virtually everyone, and Jamie’s unreadable reactions leave me puzzled.
Determined not to let it dampen my spirits, I smile back.
“Come on,” Alice urges me as she drags Oliver and me into the office.
We walk through the door, ushering Alice into Oliver’s office before we follow her inside.
Oliver’s office is spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the skyline. A navy-blue couch sits in the middle of the room and two plush armchairs flank it. A large wooden desk is situated against the wall, adorned with family photos and framed awards.
Alice makes a beeline for a small toy kitchen set at the corner of the room and plays with it, while Oliver and I take our seats on the couch.
“So, where are we going tonight?” I ask Oliver, my curiosity getting the better of me.
He leans in and whispers into my ear, “It’s a surprise, but I can tell you it’s going to be quite an adventure.”
I narrow my eyes on him, but say nothing.
Just then, Erica and Fred enter the room, laughing and teasing each other. The more I observe the two of them together, the more I realize how much closer they seem.
My lips part as I put the pieces together. Erica claims she’s dating an older man she isn’t ready to reveal to me just yet. Could it be Fred?
As my mind is racing, I feel Erica’s gaze on my face. She notices that I’m catching on to her secret and quickly smiles at me before gesturing for me not to say anything.
Biting down on my lip, I do as she wishes and take a deep breath as the four of us settle in the room.
“The three of you ladies going to hang out with us, then?” Fred asks, taking a seat in the chair beside Oliver’s. “Should we grab dinner?”
