Page 47 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother

Fred just looks at me skeptically. “What’s going on? You’re not usually one to give up like this.”

“Nothing,” I sigh, trying to sound casual. “I just need a few minutes of fresh air.”

Fred nods and takes out his phone. “All right. While you’re doing that, I’ll just take care of a few emails.”

I watch as Fred grins to myself as he supposedly reads his emails. His face flushes, making it obvious that he’s not really reading anything work-related.

“What are you up to?” I ask. “Areyoutalking to someone?”

Fred looks up, his face still flushed. “What? No, of course not.”

I smirk playfully. “Is it someone you met on through online dating?”

His eyes widen in surprise. “How did you know?”

I roll my eyes but smile. “Lucky guess. You’re not exactly subtle.”

Fred grins sheepishly. “Okay, okay. You got me. I’m talking to someone.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And?”

“And she’s… interesting,” he admits, looking slightly embarrassed but also excited.

I chuckle. “Well, have fun with that.”

Before Fred can respond, my phone buzzes with a text from Catherine.

“Just parked, but Erica says you have something for her,”she writes.

“Be down shortly,” I write back.

I look up at Fred and gesture for him to follow me outside. “Wanna step outside with me for a second?”

He nods. “Yeah, I have to head down for a moment, too.”

“Perfect.” I point toward a large terracotta vase I have nestled in the room’s corner. “Bring that with you,” I say with a smirk, then start for the door.

Chapter 17

Catherine

“Watchyourstep,”Itell Alice as she gets out of her booster seat.

Erica climbs out of the passenger’s seat, shutting the door behind her as she crosses around the car to join us.

She and I take Alice’s hands, one in each of ours, as we walk through the parking lot and guide her toward the lobby of the building.

“Catherine, are you excited about going out with Daddy and me?” Alice asks.

I give her my most enthusiastic smile. “Well, if only the two of you would tell me where we’re going.”

Alice laughs. “It’s a surprise.”

Before we even make it inside the building, Oliver and Fred step outside through the class doors. In Fred’s arms is a large blue-and-green vase with an ombre finish.

“My vase,” Erica says, clapping excitedly.

“I cannot believe you really want this damn thing,” Oliver quips.