Divorce To Date My Brother’s Bestfriend

BLAIR’S POV I can’t believe he actually left. Last night, Hailey had been so excited at dinner, bouncing in her seat. “I want to go to the amusement park for my birthday,” she said, her eyes shining as she looked at both of us. It’s the simplest thing a five-year-old could ask for, and she shouldn’t have to be disappointed. “I have a closing tomorrow,” Oliver had pulled me aside after dinner to say, his gaze fixed on his phone rather than my face. “It’s non-negotiable.” “More important than Hailey’s birthday?” I asked. “You wouldn’t ask that if you understood the scale of this deal, Blair.” And yet, I’d spent the whole night hoping he would wake up and choose his daughter over whatever deal he was talking about. But he’s gone, sneaking out even earlier than usual. On his daughter’s damn birthday. A sigh rips through me as I shut his door and turn back to the dining room. Hailey will be up soon, and once again, I’ll have to play both father and mother because apparently that’s been my job for the past four years. “Ma’am,” Marissa, our housekeeper, calls, and I glance at her. “The cake has arrived.” “Fantastic,” I mutter, forcing a smile. “Bring it in and set up the table for her.” I lean over the table, helping Marissa arrange the gifts around a bright, tiered cake and my heart aches with every ribbon I straighten. I really wish this wasn’t happening. My baby is the sweetest, most loving girl, and she shouldn’t have to spend her birthday with an incomplete family. “Mummy.” I straighten immediately and dash out to find Hailey standing and rubbing sleep from her eyes. I go down on my knees in front of her, pulling her into a warm hug. “Happy birthday, my angel.” I pat her hair, then pull back, peppering her face with kisses to make her laugh. “I’ve got cake, and—” “Where’s daddy?” I freeze, my throat suddenly dry. Swallowing hard, I force a smile because she’s too smart not to notice when I’m upset. I gently press her chin. “Daddy’s gone to save the world… just like Superman,” I lie, chuckling a little. “But he’s got so many gifts for you, lots of gifts, and they’re…” "Is he coming with us to the amusement park?" She cuts in, not looking swayed by my lies. I lick my lips, my heart sinking. “No, baby, but—” Immediately, she flings her teddy and crumbles to the floor before I can catch her. She bursts into hysterical sobs, kicking and flailing her arms. “I want my daddy! I want my daddy!” “Oh God.” I run a hand over my face before trying to scoop her up. “I want my daddy!” she cries. Finally, I manage to pin her gently against my chest, rocking her. My sweet girl rarely throws tantrums and she’s usually the sun in this house. For her to be acting like this, she’s really hurt. I pull back a little, brushing her tears off. “What if mummy calls Uncle Jack?” I’m desperate for her to stop. “Remember Uncle Jack took you to the candy factory? And the zoo to see the animals? Should I call him?” She pouts, her bottom lip trembling, then gives a slow nod. I exhale, kissing her forehead before signaling Marissa to bring my phone. I hand Hailey over to her and dial Jack, praying he isn't in the middle of a board meeting and has even two hours to spare. “Hey, sister.” Jack’s voice cracks through the line. “How are you? Today’s my niece’s birthday, isn’t it?” “Yeah,” I say, watching Hailey’s slumped shoulders. “We’re fine. Actually, I’m calling about that… um, do you think you can join us for a few hours at the amusement park? She really wants to go, and not just with me but her dad’s really busy.” “Oh, Blair, I wish you’d told me sooner,” Jack says, and my heart drops into my stomach. “I have scheduled sightseeing with some Chinese investors and it’s an all day thing.” I know he’d drop anything to come if he could. He’s been more consistent in her life than Oliver has. “Yeah, it’s no problem. I’ll figure out—” “Tell her I’ll come.” A voice I recognize cuts in from the other end, stopping me mid-sentence. “Is that… Blaise?” I stammer. I hear some rustling as the phone changes hands. “Yes, it’s me.” I chew my lip, caught off guard by the deep rumble of his voice. “I’m clear for the day. When do you need me?” I lean against the wall, a sudden wave of relief washing over me. “I can have her ready in an hour.” “Okay,” he responds. “I’ll be there.” “Thank you,” I say before hanging up. I turn to Hailey, tilting my head. “Guess what? Uncle Blaise is coming with us.” Her eyes immediately light up in Marissa’s arms, and I can’t help but smile. “Yes!” she chimes, spreading her arms for me to carry her. I lift her from Marissa and peck her forehead. “Is he really, really coming?” she asks, wide-eyed. I nod. “So that means we have to get ready.” She giggles, suddenly brighter and I’m so glad. For some reason, she’s a huge fan of my brother’s best friend, Blaise, so maybe her birthday won’t feel so… incomplete after all. ******************** An hour later, the doorbell rings, and I already know it’s Blaise because he’s always on time. I’m still struggling to get Hailey’s sneakers on when Marissa opens the door and lets him in. “Uncle Blaise!” Hailey screeches, wriggling out of my arms. She runs straight to him, and he catches her mid-air, lifting her onto his shoulder. “You’re here!” “Of course I am,” he says easily. “It’s your birthday, princess.” I stand up, watching them, and that’s when I notice the Barbie cartoon bag in his hand. He lifts it slightly so Hailey can see, and her eyes go wide. She wraps her tiny arms around his neck, squeezing him tight. I didn’t think he’d get her a gift, not when he only agreed to come an hour ago. But then again, most of her Barbie collection came from him. I guess he never really forgets. “Mummy, look!” Hailey calls, holding it up. “It’s a Barbie bag.” “Yes, baby, I see it. Say thank you to Uncle Blaise,” I tell her. “Thank you!” she beams, grinning. “I’ll show my daddy when he comes back from saving the world with Superman.” My jaw tightens before I can stop it and I catch the slight twitch in Blaise’s jaw too, his eyes lifting to meet mine. “Strap her into the car,” Blaise says to Marissa, who’s already carrying the convertible car seat. When they step outside, silence settles between us. I fix my eyes anywhere but on him, suddenly very aware of the warmth creeping up my neck. I haven’t seen Blaise in weeks or spoken to him either because I rarely go out these days. That’s what makes this worse. The fact that he’s here now, standing in my living room, only because my husband didn’t have time for his own daughter. “Where is he, Blair?” Blaise asks, his voice cutting through my thoughts. I slowly look up at him, squaring my shoulders, and forcing myself to appear calm. I already know he means Oliver. “Work,” I say lightly. “He’s closing a very important deal and I actually asked him to go.” I pause, then add, even though he didn’t ask, “I didn’t think Hailey would cry about it.” Blaise says nothing but his blue eyes make me feel smaller in the wide room, like there’s nowhere to hide. His jaw is tight, and I can tell he’s holding back a hundred things he wants to say. He’s always been protective of me, like my brother, but I’m not a child. I’m not the girl who needed him to step in. I’m twenty-five now, I have a daughter and a family. “Are you ready?” he asks at last, breaking the silence. I nod and grab my purse from the sofa. “Yeah.” He turns and opens the door for me. “Let’s go.” Thirty minutes later, we arrive at the amusement park. Hailey is bursting with excitement, tugging Blaise toward the carousel. I’m not even sure she remembers I’m here—it’s Uncle Blaise this, Uncle Blaise that, her whole attention locked on him. I hang back and let her enjoy it. Blaise is patient with her, completely at ease, and he looks genuinely happy to be here. The sight eases something in my chest because the last thing I want is to feel guilty on top of everything I already do. “Can a unicorn fly?” Hailey asks as Blaise rides the carousel with her, one hand steadying her so she doesn’t slip. I scoff softly, watching him answer every question she throws at him, turning each one into something that makes her laugh. When the ride ends, Hailey immediately decides she wants ice cream. “Which one?” I ask, fixing the loose strands of her hair. “Cone ice cream,” she says proudly. I nod, already turning us in that direction when she suddenly tugs at my dress. “Mummy, look! It’s Daddy!” My hand snaps toward where she’s pointing, and I freeze instantly, a chill running down my spine. No, it can’t be. My mind refuses to accept what I’m seeing. I blink, then again and again. But the sight before me doesn’t change. My breath catches. Is that Oliver… with Skylar?