Page 56 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
She nods, so I wrap my arm around her shoulder as we walk away from the bounce house and join Erica on the bench.
Alice immediately snuggles up to me, and I can feel her heart pounding against my chest. When Erica notices this, she wraps her arm around us both and gives Alice a comforting hug.
“It’s okay,” she whispers softly into Alice’s ear. “Everything is going to be all right.”
Alice lets out a long sigh of relief before turning to me and asking, “Can I go play on the slide now?”
“Yes,” I tell her, smoothing my hand over her hair. “You can go play on the slide.”
Alice looks up and excitedly runs off toward the slide, leaving us behind with a wide grin on her face.
I watch Alice’s retreating figure with a fond smile on my face. Jason and I had always talked about starting a family one day, and seeing Alice so happy made all of those feelings come back again.
“What’s wrong?” Erica asks. “Are you worried about her getting hurt again?”
I shake my head. “I know she’ll be okay. Honestly, I was just thinking about the plans Jason and I had for when we had kids.”
Erica’s expression turns sympathetic. “I know how much you want a family, Catherine. It’ll still happen. You have plenty of time.”
I nod, acknowledging that she’s right. I am still young.
“When we first started dating, Jason and I talked about the family we wanted to have. We wanted to build a life together where our kids could feel safe and free to explore their passions. We’d travel together, spend time outdoors, and constantly tell them how much we love them.”
My thoughts drift off as I reminisce about all the wonderful things that could have been, if only Jason hadn’t turned out to be a lying dirtbag.
Suddenly, Alice’s face flashes into my mind. Getting together with Oliver would mean becoming Alice’s stepmother and taking on the role of the mother she lost. Of course, I’d take it on in stride, but it would differ from the way things are now.
But I think I would be filled with fear. Fear of not being able to replace her mother or never being able to fill the void Emily left in their lives. It’s a huge decision that scares me more than anything else.
Which is why it’s better that Oliver and I never get serious.
Chapter 20
Oliver
Iheadtoworkon Saturday morning to catch up on some things since Fred and I spent all week working on our proposal.
Once I step into my office, Jamie walks in behind me, carrying a garment bag attached to a hanger.
“Here’s your suit and dress shirt for tonight,” she tells me, setting it down on my couch. “I had your shoes ordered, so they should arrive this afternoon.”
I unzip the garment bag. Inside is a black suit that’s freshly dry-cleaned, along with an ironed dress shirt.
“What is this?” I ask, peering back up at Jamie with a confused expression on my face.
“It’s for your event tonight,” she says, as if I should already know.
I furrow my brows. “What event?”
Jamie’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, and I can tell she knows she’s made a mistake.
“It’s the philanthropic event, sir. You mentioned it earlier in the week.”
I groan and run a hand through my hair. Of course, I remember now. The event where half the people in attendance will try to butter me up for a donation to their organization.
“Why didn’t you remind me earlier?” I ask.
Jamie lowers her head in shame. “I’m sorry, sir. I thought it was on your schedule already. But I can go with you if you’d like.”
