Page 27 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
“Alice is at Grace’s house,” I inform Catherine. “You can head inside while I go get her.”
“I’ll go with you,” she replies, unbuckling her seat belt.
I nod and step out of the car.
We make our way to Grace’s home, walking side by side in the quiet evening. Along the way, I catch myself stealing glances at Catherine’s profile and slip my hands into my pockets self-consciously to keep them occupied. She’s been oddly quiet since our conversation. When we reach Grace’s house, I lead the way to her backyard where Alice is playing with three other children, Grace’s grandkids.
Alice spots us and comes running over, throwing her arms around Catherine, who gives her a tight squeeze.
“Hey, you,” Catherine says. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes,” Alice replies.
“Thank you so much for looking after her,” I say to Grace, who’s seated on a chair on her patio.
Grace waves away my gratitude. “You know, it’s always a pleasure. Alice is no trouble at all. Is this your girlfriend?” she asks, pointing to Catherine with a curious glint in her eyes.
I smile and shake my head. “No, Catherine is Alice’s nanny.”
Grace’s face falls slightly in disappointment but still beams at Catherine. “Well, she’s beautiful,” Grace adds.
I chuckle and glance at Catherine, who blushes a little at the compliment before glancing away.
“I didn’t notice,” I respond with a smirk.
Grace shakes her head, smiling at my joke before calling the other children over. We stay for a few more minutes before bidding Grace and the kids goodbye and starting our walk back home.
Alice chatters away happily about all the fun she had with Grace’s grandkids, and I hold her hand as we make our way back. Once we’re settled inside, Alice grabs the iPad as she relaxes on the couch.
“You’re always on that thing lately,” I point out as Catherine looks on curiously.
“She needs a break every now and again,” Catherine says defensively.
I roll my eyes. “That’s what every technology-enabler caretaker says.”
Catherine scoffs at me, then ruffles Alice’s hair. “Alice is very productive and responsible for her age. She always finishes her homework on time, reads books, and she has several after-school activities she partakes in. I don’t see the problem.”
I smile knowingly at Catherine before taking a seat next to Alice. “Catherine’s right,” I admit. “You’re such a busy girl, Alice. You deserve a break every now and again.”
Alice smiles at me and curls into a ball on the couch. She turns her attention back to the iPad, occupying herself with her favorite game.
Catherine pats her on the shoulder, an amused expression appearing on her face.
“Alice,” she says. “Your clothes feel like you’ve been playing in the dirt. Why don’t you take a quick bath before dinner?”
“Okay.” Alice groans and sets down the iPad before bounding upstairs, leaving us alone in the living room.
Catherine watches as Alice leaves before turning back to me with an amused smirk on her face. “I guess that’s one way to get a break from the iPad,” she teases lightly before heading upstairs to join Alice.
I watch in admiration as she ascends the stairs, taking in her curly hair as it cascades over slim shoulders and the gentle sway of her hips beneath a flowered blue dress.
Without another thought, I pull out my phone and call Jamie, my assistant.
“Hi, Mr. Burke,” she says, answering on the first ring. “Is everything okay with your nanny? Do you need my assistance? I’m having dinner with my parents, but can be over there in ten minutes.”
“No, no,” I tell her. “I just need to reschedule my meeting. And you shouldn’t up and leave your parents like that.”
“Whatever you say, Mr. Burke.”
