Page 27 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Charlotte

“There has been no sign that Kitty has even attempted to bake a cheesecake,” Marissa said as we nannies sat at the table with our coffees.

“Maybe it’s in the staff refrigerator,” Maddie said.

“I checked. Nothing. Nada. No cheesecake to be found. But don’t worry. I’m keeping a close eye on all the deliveries that come to the house.”

“You worked for them last year, right?” I asked her.

“Yes. And one appeared the morning of the bake off. Kitty claimed she made it after everyone went to bed because she likes to bake in silence.”

“She’s so full of shit.” Millie laughed. “Are you ready for the bake off, Charlotte?”

“Yes. And I only have two more pies to make tomorrow. Eloise is going to help me since there’s no school.”

“I have some tea to spill,” Mackenzie whispered, leaning across the table. We all leaned across to listen. “I saw Mr. Levitt’s last night tucked into a corner at a restaurant in SOHO. And he wasn’t with Mrs. Levitt’s.”

“Stop it!” I spoke.

“Seriously?” Maddie asked.

“Yep. They were sitting next to each other in one of those round booths. He had his arm around her, and their lips were locked.”

“Did he see you?” Millie asked.

“He did when I walked over. I used what I saw as an opportunity to get a pay raise.” She grinned. “When I left the restaurant, he was waiting outside and offered to drive me home. He asked me my price, so I told him I wanted a raise for my silence, and he agreed.”

“Pfft. Giving you a raise is a hell of a lot cheaper than what he’d have to pay his wife if she ever found out,” Marissa said.

“Exactly.” Mackenzie smiled. “Our employers are clueless about how we nannies have it. They think they pay us good, but they don’t. If I weren’t a live-in, there would be no way I could afford a decent apartment in this city. They’re not like us.”

An idea popped into my head. “I have to run. I’ll see you girls later.

” I grabbed my purse and ran out of the coffee shop.

The song I had chosen for our dance routine was ‘Yeah’ by Usher, but I was also looking to mix it with another song.

And when Mackenzie said, ‘They’re not like us,’ the song, ‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick Lamar, popped into my head.

As soon as I got home, I grabbed my laptop and sat on the couch.

“Hey, Charlotte.” Sylvia smiled as she entered the room.

“Hi, Sylvia. How is your grandson?”

“He’s perfect.” She grinned. “Can I talk to you about something?”

“Of course. Sit down.” I patted the couch.

“My daughter and son-in-law are moving to Florida. My son-in-law has received a promotion at work, and they need him to relocate to the Orlando office. My daughter works remotely, so she can work from anywhere. She’s going to need me once she’s off maternity leave, so they’ve asked me to move with them. ”

“Oh, I see.” I bit my bottom lip. “You have to do what’s best for you and your family. If you’re worried about telling Ashton, don’t be. He’ll understand.”

“Will he, though?”

“I hope he will. Gee, Sylvia. It could go either way with him.”

“He was pissed and unbearable when Maura quit.

“He was just panicking about his social life and the fact that he would have to care for his daughter alone until he found me. But I’m here now, so I think he’ll be more understanding.”

“That’s true.” She laughed. “I’ll talk to him when he gets home. I have to finish tidying up the upstairs.” She stood.

“And which floor would that be?” I smirked.

“Right?” She laughed.

I already knew that Ashton wouldn’t be happy. I knew I wasn’t because I considered Sylvia a friend, and I was sad she was moving away.

I’d finally finished the remix and shut my laptop just as Dominic walked through the door.

“Are you ready to pick up, Eloise?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’ll meet you in the car. I have to grab my bag.”

After we picked up Eloise from school, Dominic dropped us off at the dance studio so we could practice our dance routine.

“I made a remix.” I hit play on my phone, and it echoed through the speakers.

We practiced for two hours and then headed home. When we walked through the door, I heard Ashton talking to Sylvia in the kitchen.

“Let’s go upstairs and get your bath started before dinner,” I told Eloise.

“But I want to see my dad.”

“You will after. He’s having a conversation with Sylvia right now.”

After starting the bath water, I went downstairs and saw Ashton pouring himself a drink.

“Hey.” I smiled, not knowing what type of mood he was in.

“Sylvia told you?”

“Yeah. This afternoon. I’m sorry, Ashton.”

“I’m going to miss her.” He tipped the glass to his lips.

“Me too.”

I stood behind the fall-decorated table, my pies perfectly on display before people started filtering into the school.

All the desserts entered in the bake-off were given a number.

Nobody, except the participants, knew their number.

Even though it was Saturday, Ashton had to run to the office to pick something up and told us he’d meet us at the school.

As I took one of the pies out of the box and set it on the table, Kitty Corners walked over. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t allow her to ruin my day.

“You baked those?” She pointed to the pies.

“Yes. Are you selling your cheesecakes?”

“Oh no.” She laughed. “I only make one spectacular one for the bake off. I do not have the time to bake for a fundraiser.”

“Why?” I cocked my head. “It’s not like you’re busy taking care of your kids. Your nanny does that for you.” The corners of my mouth lifted.

“Kitty, hello.” Ashton walked over.

“Ashton.” She nodded.

“Don’t Charlotte’s pies look delicious?”

“Not really. I’m not a pie person, and I would never buy one.”

“Then move along.” He waved his hand.

“How dare you, Ashton Cross?” She turned on her Louboutins and stomped away.

“I heard what you said to her.” He hooked his arm around my waist and squeezed it.

“I only tell the truth.” I smiled.

“Where is Eloise?”

“She’s running around with her friends.”

“There you are,” Ashton’s mother and Raphael walked over. “Oh my goodness, Charlotte. Your pies look fabulous.”

“Thank you.”

“Hello, mother.” Ashton kissed her cheek and then shook Raphael’s hand.

“Save me one of those apple pies. I’m purchasing one. In fact, we’ll be back. Raphael and I are going to look at the other tables.”

“I’m going to walk around,” Ashton said. As he began to walk away, I grabbed his hand.

“I need you to stay here.”

“Why?” His brows furrowed.

“Because I need your help.” I reached under the table and pulled out a red apron with the words “Pie Guy” written across the chest. “Put this on.”

“What the hell is that? No way am I wearing that.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Listen, Ashton. You’re sexy, and sex sells.”

“This is absolutely ridiculous,” he said, putting on the apron.

“You look adorable. Now, hold up this pie. And smile! You look like you’re at a funeral.”

“How’s this?” He grinned.

“You look like a deranged serial killer. Natural, Ashton.”

I noticed Mrs. Peterson, head of the PTA, kept staring at us. I was sure she disapproved of my marketing tactics.

Soon, women started gathering at my table, eyeing Ashton up and down, asking him about the pies in a flirty manner only these socialites would.

“You’ll have to ask her. She’s the baker. I’m just the marketing pie guy.”

Every pie I had sold out within thirty minutes.

“See.” I grinned. “You’re the face of my pies.”

He shook his head and took off the apron. “I don’t like being objectified, Charlotte.”

“Oh, please. Yes, you do.” I laughed.

It was finally time for the bake-off. The contestants lined up shoulder to shoulder in front of the judges’ table, everyone on edge as the first tastes were taken.

I glanced over at Kitty just as the judges cut into her cheesecake.

How did I know it was hers? It was the only cheesecake submitted.

Her smug, condescending smile made my fingers twitch, and I wanted nothing more than to wipe it clean off her face.

When they reached my pie, I held my breath.

One judge lifted a forkful, and the rest followed.

The moment their eyes lit up after the first bite, a grin spread across my face.

The four judges took another bite, something they hadn’t done with the other baked goods.

Let Kitty Corners smirk all she wanted because my pie was speaking louder than her store-bought cheesecake ever could.

Once the judges were finished tasting, they quietly conversed amongst themselves while we all nervously waited for their decision.

“We want to thank everyone for participating in this year’s bake-off.

All the desserts were truly wonderful,” the school’s principal said.

“But according to the judges, there was one that truly stood out among the rest. The best of the best, so to speak. Without further ado, this year’s bake-off winner is number 10—Charlotte Campbell’s apple pie with a twist. Although we aren’t sure what the twist is, we don’t care. It’s that darn good.”

Everyone clapped, and Eloise threw her arms around my legs.

“I knew you would win.”

Kitty’s glare burned through me from across the gymnasium. Without a word, she turned on her heels, collected her daughter, and stomped out of the school.

“Congratulations.” Ashton smiled, gripping my shoulders. “I had no doubt you’d win.”

“Thank you.” I grinned.

After saying goodbye to Eloise, who was going off with Ashton’s mother and Raphael for the night, I gathered my things and we headed home.

“Let’s celebrate your win tonight with a nice dinner at Daniel,” Ashton said.

“That sounds nice.” I smiled.

With Eloise being gone overnight and the entire day tomorrow, it would give Ashton and me a chance to really talk and spend some time together alone.

The thought excited me even though I had no idea where our relationship was going.

Baking in his kitchen felt like home. He felt like home.

Our entire situation made everything feel like home.

I wasn’t playing house. This was the real deal for me.

Feelings I’d never felt consumed me daily, and when I looked into my future, all I saw was Ashton, Eloise, and a lifetime of happiness.