Page 63 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
I hang up before I start my car, looking forward to our upcoming lunch date.
When I arrive at Oliver’s office, he is already waiting outside for me. I pull into a parking spot, and he crosses over to me. He greets me with a kiss and takes my hand in his.
“How are you?” he asks, smiling.
“I’m doing great,” I reply, curling my fingers around his. “And you?”
“Much better now,” he says, his eyes twinkling.
I peer up at the building. “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”
He laughs. “Not really,” he admits with a slight shrug. “No one can see us from down here. And besides, I’m the CEO. Are you ready to go?”
I nod. We both smile before walking off to the restaurant. Even though nothing can happen between us, the simple act of spending time with him makes me happy, and I want to savor this feeling for as long as I possibly can.
Chapter 22
Oliver
“Goodmeeting,Burke,”Fredsays as soon as we return to my office. “It finally feels like we’re making progress on this Bethany Hotel deal.”
I nod, slipping my hands into my pockets as Fred shuts the door behind us.
“Yeah, it does,” I reply. “The investors seem a lot more willing to work with us now that we’ve got the financing issues sorted out.”
I motion for Fred to take a seat on my couch, and he gratefully obliges, sinking into the plush cushions with a sigh.
As I sink into my chair at my desk, Fred turns to me with a mischievous glint in his eye. “So you’re really going to California? You know we usually send someone more… persuasive than you on these kinds of business trips,” he teases.
I can’t help but smile. “Hey, it’s not my fault. I was the only one available at such short notice. Besides, I think I’ve gotten a lot better at winning potential clients over.”
Fred chuckles. “You learned from the best. Besides, your birthday is coming up. It’ll be the perfect opportunity for you to get away from the city for a bit.”
I nod. “Catherine and Alice are going to love it. I’m going to surprise them with the news tonight.”
I smile to myself, my thoughts drifting to Catherine. The way she smiles when she’s excited, the way she laughs at my jokes, the way she fits perfectly against me when we cuddle at night.
“You sure do bring your nanny with you everywhere you go these days,” Fred points out.
I roll my eyes and shoot him a smirk. “Yeah, well, she’s good company,” I say, trying to brush off his comment.
“I thought she was a bad influence on Erica,” he mimics. “Too carefree and impulsive. Doesn’t care who she hurts, as long as she gets her way.”
“Look, I know I judged Catherine,” I admit. “But that was before I got to know her. She’s kind and funny, and isn’t afraid to call me out when I’m being too grumpy. Plus, Alice’s temperament has been a lot better since she moved in. She doesn’t talk back to me anymore.”
Fred laughs, shaking his head. “You’ve really got it bad, don’t you?”
I frown, a sudden heat rising to my cheeks. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, Oliver. It’s written all over your face. You’re in love with her,” he teases, nudging my arm.
I stiffen, my heart skipping a beat. Love? Is that what this is? I’ve never allowed myself to think of it that way, not wanting to complicate things between us. But as I think about Catherine playing with Alice in the living room, a warmth fills my chest. Maybe Fred is right. Maybe I don’t want what Catherine and I have to end soon.
“I don’t know aboutlove, Fred. But…” I drift off again, unsure of how to put it into words.
He raises an eyebrow. “So, what are you trying to say? That you like her?”
My cheeks heat at the question. “I don’t know. Maybe,” I tell him, suddenly nervous.
