Page 6 of Rescued By My Best Friend's Brother

“He’s the one I left last night.”

She looks away. “Oh.” This is the only thing she has to say. She probably thought Bradley and the person I broke up with last night were two different people. “It’s okay. Who needs a man in their life. I sure don’t,” she jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

As if sensing we need rescuing from the current topic, Lily runs over to us. “Can you push me on the swing?” she asks.

“Sure!” Josie says, clasping her hands together.

Lily shakes her head and points at me. “I want her to do it.” She meets my gaze. “Will you push me on the swing?”

I look over at Josie who gives me a small nod. I stand up, putting on my best customer service smile. “Of course!”

“What’s your name again?” Lily asks.

I feel a pang in my chest. I don’t think I amthatforgettable, but she is only 6 years old.

She grabs my hand and drags me to the swings where there are two free. She hops on one, back towards me, and looks over her shoulder.

“Okay. I’m coming,” I assure her. I push her back softly.

“Higher,” she demands.

“It’s not going to be too scary, is it?”

She scoffs. “I’m a girl. Dad says women are the most fearless people he knows.”

“Oh really?” I raise a brow. I shouldn’t be surprised. Even though we don’t have the best relationship, I know he isn’t a complete dick. He has his moments. Lily being one of the moments. “Does he tell you how women are secretly the bosses of the world?”

She nods. “Yep. He says I am going to be a good boss one day. Maybe I can be your boss!” As she says this, her face glows, like she’s come up with the best idea ever.

I push her a little harder so she goes higher. “Well, would you have mandatory ice cream breaks?” I ask.

“Yes! Every day! I’ll buy everyone ice cream.”

I chuckle. “Then I am in. I’d love for you to be my boss. You drive a hard bargain.”

Chapter Three

Jasper

Iglancedownatmy watch as I open the front door to the house: five fifty-four p.m. We usually eat about five-thirty to six o’clock, but the house feels oddly empty as I set my briefcase down. I hear dishes clanking and smell grilled onions. “Hello?” I call as I start to take off my suit jacket. I throw it onto the couch’s arm and enter the kitchen.

Sheri has her back turned to me and she’s humming as she puts the meal into glassware for later. On the table is a plate already prepared for me, but no one else is here. I look at the empty seats around the small table. I have another room specifically for formal dinners. Caty had insisted on this house, saying one dining room could be for guests while eating here in the kitchen could be for us as a family. She was always particular about certain things.

“Good evening, Sheri,” I say.

She turns around, a pan of sauteed onions and potatoes in her hands. “Oh, Mr. Branson, I didn’t hear you! It gets harder to hear when you get older.” She giggles at herself.

I give her a polite smile. “Where is everyone?” Whenever Josie would pick Lily up in the past, she would at least let me know if she were taking Lily out. Keep me informed. It is unlike her to not text me.

“Oh. She said she was taking Lily and Elena out to dinner after the park.”

I sigh. Of course, Josie has become more reckless now that Elena is back in our lives. I knew it was bad news when Josie told me Elena would be staying for a little bit last night. I had no say. I told Josie she could have whomever she wanted over in the guesthouse. She paid the utilities for it, and it was nice having Lily’s aunt nearby in case a work emergency came up.

I had a sitter, but she unexpectedly moved out of state, and the last month has been so busy, I haven’t had time to hire someone new. I’ve conducted a few interviews, but many of them didn’t mesh well with my personality or Lily’s. I wanted someone that Lily would get along with but I could also trust.

“Oh. Okay,” I say, holding back my frustration. I sit down and pull out my phone. “Thank you for dinner, Sheri. You don’t have to clean up. I can do it.”

“Oh no. I’ll do it. I don’t have much left, and then I will be out of your hair.” She puts the pan in the sink and wipes down the counter.

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