Page 70 of Grumpy Billionaire's Nanny

She inclines her head in an apology. “He was very convincing, sir.”

I’m about to lecture her on normal propriety in situations like this, when the door to my office opens and the stranger walks out. Only he’s not a stranger at all.

“Seriously, Xander. You couldn’t be chill just this once?” he asks with a grin, his hazel eyes gleaming. He turns to my secretary, who’s looking from me to him, probably trying to figure out how we’re related. “Sorry about that, darling.”

My eyes widen as I take him in. I haven’t seen him in months. The shock quickly wears away and transforms to relief as I step forward and pull him into a hug.

“Asher,” I say, slapping his back.

He chuckles before stepping out of the hug and pushing his long dark hair out of his face. We both walk into my office and I shut the door.

“If I had known I would be getting such a warm reception, I would have come home sooner.”

I frown. “Why wouldn’t you get a warm reception?”

“Because of how I took off. I thought you’d still be upset.”

“You’re twenty-five years old, Asher. I don’t believe I have a say in your comings and goings. I was a little upset you left without saying goodbye. The twins were devastated.”

Earlier this year, I got a text from him saying he was leaving again. It wasn’t the first time he had done such a thing but he’s always said goodbye. I’ll admit I was furious at first but I understand. We all have demons and Asher’s dealing with them the only way he knows how.

He has a severe case of wanderlust. He can’t stay in one place for a long time. Add that to the grief from his mother’s passing and I’ve got a man that drifts from country to country, looking for God knows what. I’m just glad he always finds his way back home.

He’s my stepson. And despite his mom not being here anymore, he’ll always be family. Kathy had him young. She was only twenty when she got pregnant with Asher and she did everything to provide him with the best life. I was twenty-nine years old when I met her, and she intrigued me. I had never met a woman so passionate and carefree at the same time. She worked hard and she always went for everything she wanted. I quickly fell in love with her and her son. When we found out she was pregnant, I knew without a doubt I wanted to marry her.

“I brought them plenty of presents to make up for it,” he assures me. “I was actually going to head on home then I realized you would probably still be at work. I thought we could leave together. Mason probably won’t punch me with you there.”

“I won’t stop him if he decides to,” I state with a smile. “He’s grown pretty tall so he should pack more of a punch now.”

“We’ll see.” Asher pauses for a second. “You look different.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Different how?”

“I’m not sure. Just your overall aura. You seem happier.”

“I am,” I admit.

Asher raises a dark eyebrow like he’s waiting for me to explain, but I shake my head with a smile. I’ll tell him about Juliette later.

“I’m glad you made it before the party.”

Asher smirks. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Although there’s a tightness in his voice that tells me he would if he could. The party’s in two days and I had honestly given up all hope of him showing up.

“I changed the venue,” I state. “It’s happening at one of my hotels in the city. I decided it might be best not to let so many people into the house. Plus, I want the twins to be able to head home and sleep when their bedtime rolls around.”

He shrugs. “Whatever’s fine with you, Xan. I’m good with anything.”

He falls onto the couch in my office while I head over to my desk to wrap up work so we can go home. I’m a little worried about what he’s going to say when he finds Juliette there and how he’s going to take it but she sends me a text that abates my worries.

Staying late at the hotel to work. I probably won’t come home tonight.

I text back an okay, although I am a little worried. She’s been a little distant all week. I chalked it up to her being sad about Lisabell leaving, but there could be something else bothering her. And I’m worried it might have to do with Kathy’s party.

“You’re definitely dating someone,” Asher speaks up from his spot on the couch.

“Mind your own business, Ash.”

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