Page 14 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother

I scoff but get up and head into the kitchen anyway. I walk up to the fridge and do as Oliver instructs, grabbing two beers from the second shelf. When I return, Alice is cuddled up against Oliver, who looks relieved that he’s back home after his date. I wonder how it went. He didn’t seem thrilled when he got back.

I sit on the couch, passing his beer over to him.

“Thanks,” he mumbles, never taking his eyes off the movie.

As the movie progresses, I get lost in the magic of it. Alice sits enraptured beside me, hanging on every word of the fairy tale.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, pulling me back to reality. “I’ll get it,” I say, sliding off the couch and heading toward the front door.

I approach the front door and open it.

“Delivery for Oliver?” a man says to me, holding a bag full of food in each hand.

I accept it from him, then return to the living room. I set the food down on the glass coffee table.

Alice jumps up from the couch. “Yes,” she exclaims. “I’m so hungry.”

Oliver scoots forward and unpacks the bags, revealing containers of steaming Thai food. The scent wafts through the room, making my mouth water.

As we all dig into our food,Cinderellastill playing in the background, I can’t help but feel content for the first time in weeks. There’s something about being around Oliver and Alice that feels like home, like I truly belong.

When the movie finally finishes and we’ve scarfed down all the food, Oliver turns to Alice. “I think it’s time we get you to bed, kiddo.”

She frowns. “But I’m having so much fun with you and Catherine. Can’t we watch one more movie?”

Oliver chuckles. “Maybe another time. Say goodnight to Catherine, then get to bed, okay?”

Alice pouts but begrudgingly hugs me. “Goodnight,” she says, her voice somber.

I smile, giving her back a rub. “I had a lot of fun tonight. Maybe we’ll have another movie night together if your dad goes out on another date.”

“Daddy, please tell me you’re going on another date soon.”

Oliver huffs. “I have nothing planned as of right now, sorry. Come on, let’s get you tucked in.” He glances at me. “Wait here.”

I nod as I observe them head upstairs. Even though he didn’t ask me to, I collect the empty food containers and toss them into the trash in the kitchen.

Just as I’m about to walk back to the living room, my phone vibrates. It’s a call from my mother. I swipe the screen to answer it.

“Hey, Mom, what’s up?”

“Just wanted to check on how the job went today.”

I pause, not wanting to tell her I quit. “It went okay,” I reply, hoping she doesn’t press for more information.

“Are you at home?” she asks.

“No, I’m actually at Oliver’s house,” I tell her. “Erica had a work emergency, so I was watching Alice for him tonight.”

“That’s kind of you, Catherine.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “It’s been really nice getting to spend time with Alice.”

“I’ll let you go then. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

“Will do,” I promise before hanging up the call.

Just then, Oliver appears in the doorway. He smiles when he sees me standing there. “Thanks for sticking around,” he says warmly.