Page 79 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
“Thanks, Grant. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Charlotte? Charlotte is opening a pie shop? Where the hell did that come from?” Charlie asked. “Oh boy. It looks like you’re about to lose your nanny.”
I stared at him blankly, trying to process what Grant told me.
“Ashton, what did you do?”
“I ended it with her.”
“Ended what? You weren’t in a relationship.”
“Sex. I ended sex between us.”
“Jesus Christ.” He rubbed his forehead. “How did she take it?”
“Not good, of course. I think I just pushed her out of Eloise’s life. How could she do that to her?”
“Wait a second.” He shook his head. “How could you do that to Charlotte? Damn, man. She’s good for you. And don’t sit there and fucking lie to me. I know you have feelings for her.”
“It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t. Things had to end. She’s my nanny. It was wrong.”
“Now you think it’s wrong? I told you that from the beginning.” He stood from his chair. “Now you’ve pushed her because of your Goddamn fears of a relationship. Just forget how she made you feel. Forget the things she’s done for you and Eloise. Forget the fact that you stopped going out at night and chose to stay home to be with her and your daughter.”
“I had no choice.” My jaw tightened.
“No choice?” He chuckled. “Don’t give me that crap. This wasn’t about choice, Ashton. This was about fear. You’re so damn scared of becoming your father that you’re throwing away the one woman who makes you nothing like him.”
“You don’t understand!” I spoke through gritted teeth.
“I understand, perfectly,” Charlie snapped. “Before her, you were a stone wall. Miserable. Detached. You buried yourself in work while Eloise got scraps of you. And now? You laugh more. You’re soft when Charlotte is around. She makes you human. Don’t you dare tell me she’s not the best thing that’s happened to you since Eloise was born. You’re punishing Charlotte for sins she never committed. And you’re punishing yourself for a marriage that wasn’t yours. And if you keep this up, you’ll lose her for good, which is happening because she’s opening a pie shop. And when it happens, Ashton, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding fast and loud. Beneath it all, Charlie was right, and I hated him for it.
“I have to get to a meeting.” He left my office.
I turned my chair around and stared out at the busy city. I couldn’t believe Charlotte ran out and rented a space for a pie shop. Fuck, I didn’t even know she wanted to open one. She never mentioned it to me. With her running a shop, she’d surely quit being Eloise’s nanny. There would be no way she could juggle both. How dare she do this to us. I needed to fire her now and get it over with before she quit. I wouldn’t let her have that power. Eloise would be upset for a while, but she’d eventually get over it. It was settled. Charlotte would be moving out tonight.
After work, I left the office and headed home. I arrived just before Eloise was about to go to bed.
“Dad, you’re late tonight.” She ran over and hugged me.
“I know, sweetheart. My meeting ran late.”
“I’m ready for bed. Will you and Charlotte tuck me in?”
“You bet.” I picked her up and carried her to her room. “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” I kissed her forehead.
“We don’t have bed bugs.” She giggled as I tickled her.
“I love you, Eloise. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, Dad. I love you too.”
I smiled as I ran my hand down her hair. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Charlotte walked in just as I stood up. We looked at each other and didn’t say a word. I stepped out of the room and poured myself a drink. As Charlotte headed toward the kitchen, I stopped her.
“I need to speak with you.”
