Page 29 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Charlotte

The leaves were at its peak—golden, amber, and orange had taken over, dissipating all the green until next spring.

It was crazy cool this autumn, and a perfect day to spend in Central Park.

I passed by a cart, the smell of roasted chestnuts filling the autumn air.

A gust of wind swept over me, sending leaves spiraling from the trees onto the pavement.

As I walked, holding my pumpkin spice latte, I picked up on the way, children’s laughter emerged from the playground, reminding me of Eloise.

I stopped in front of the lake and watched a couple row their boat across the water, smiling, laughing, in love.

I was jealous. I craved that kind of love from Ashton.

I sat down on a bench. The same bench where I threw a cupcake and met Ashton. There was a calmness here, and I let myself wallow in self-pity alone until I pulled out my phone and called Melissa.

“Hey, you. What’s up?” she answered.

“Can you meet me in Central Park? I need to talk to you.”

“It sounds serious. Are you okay? Did something happen with Ashton?”

“I’ll tell you everything. Can you come?”

“Yeah. I was just heading out to pick up some cleaning supplies for the new house, but I’ll stop by the park first.”

“Thanks, Melissa. I’ll send you my location.”

Thirty minutes later, Melissa walked over carrying a square white box.

“Cupcakes make everything better.” Her lips formed a sympathetic smile. “I even grabbed napkins.”

“Thanks.” I lay my head on her shoulder.

“So, are you going to tell me why you look like someone just kicked a puppy or threw a kitten out the window?”

“I’m not really sure. Before I get into it, I won the bake-off yesterday.”

“Oh my God, Charlotte! I knew you would. Congrats.”

“Thanks. Ashton’s mom took Eloise yesterday for the night, so it was just Ashton and me.

We were supposed to go out to dinner to celebrate my win, but we never made it out of the bedroom.

It was the most incredible night, Mel. God, I can’t even tell you how happy I was.

Then this morning, Ashton ended things. After semi-letting me in, he just cut it off.

He said it couldn’t go any further because he woke up. ”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“He suddenly remembered that I was just the nanny and he was my employer. But I know that was just an excuse. I know the real reason.”

“Because he’s an idiot?” Melissa said, taking a cupcake from the box and handing it to me.

“He’s terrified. He watched his parents destroy each other. The cheating, the fighting, it’s all he knows. He thinks if he lets himself fall, it’ll end the same way. So he shuts it down before it can even start.”

Melissa stayed quiet for a moment and then reached over and gripped my hand. “It sounds to me like he’s not afraid of you. He’s afraid of himself.”

“I already know that. But knowing doesn’t make it hurt any less.”

A crimson leaf fell onto my lap. I picked it up and studied it.

“Then the question is, how long are you willing to let fear make the decisions for him?”

“It’s out of my hands now. My heart is broken, and I’m feeling the lowest I have ever felt.”

“Then quit and leave. You don’t deserve to be treated like that, Char. Ashton’s issues are his, not yours. He’s not the only one who gets to make a choice. You have choices too.”

“I can’t leave. I won’t do that to Eloise.”

“If you stay, all I see is disaster. Listen to me.” She gripped my hand.

“You need to get to the bank first thing tomorrow morning and get that loan for your pie shop. I get that you can’t quit because of the kid.

But you can’t stay there until she’s eighteen either.

You have your own life you need to sort out, not to mention your dream of opening a pie shop. ”

“You’re right.” I lightly smiled. “I’m going to go home and polish up my business proposal.”

“That’s my girl.” She hooked her arm around me.

I didn’t want to go home yet because I didn’t want to deal with Ashton, so I took a cab to the dance studio, unlocked the door, and entered one of the dance rooms. Turning on the remix I made, I began dancing.

I didn’t realize what time it was until I grabbed my phone and saw a text from Ashton.

Instantly, a wave of nausea swept over me.

Where are you? My mother and Raphael just dropped Eloise off.

God forbid he spent some time alone with his kid.

On my way.

When I walked into the house, Eloise ran and hugged me.

“Charlotte, where were you?”

“I had some errands to run.” I smiled. “How was your time with Gigi and Raphael?”

We had the best time ever! Gigi took me shopping and bought me so much stuff. Come up to my room.” She grabbed my hand.

I looked at Ashton, who stood across the room, with his hands tucked into his pockets. I ignored him and went upstairs with Eloise.

The following morning was uncomfortable to say the least. Which would intensify once Sylvia was gone and it was just the three of us in this house.

I was in the kitchen, sipping my coffee and waiting for Eloise, when Ashton walked in.

“Morning,” he mumbled.

Sylvia said good morning. I ignored his dumb ass. He didn’t deserve a good morning from me. In fact, that man didn’t deserve a thing. I secretly hoped his meeting this morning was a bad one. Eloise walked into the kitchen and sat on the stool at the island, while Sylvia made her waffles.

“Are we practicing after school?” Eloise asked.

“We are.” I smiled.

“Yay!”

“I have to get to the office. Have a good day, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of Eloise’s head. “Love you.”

“Bye, Dad. Love you, too.”

“Charlotte.” He nodded.

I turned away and looked out the window. I caught Sylvia staring at me from the corner of my eye.

“Is something wrong?” Eloise asked.

“No. Not at all. Why?”

“You and Dad seem different. Did you get into a fight?”

“No, sweetheart.” I smiled. “I’m fine. Come on. We have to get you to school.”

After walking Eloise to the school’s door and saying goodbye, I caught up with the other nannies who had dropped off their kids.

“I got it. I got it!” Marissa walked over, waving a piece of paper in the air.

“What’s that?” Millie asked.

“The receipt for the cheesecake Kitty bought from a bakery in Holland.” She grinned. “I knew she never made that cheesecake herself.”

“Where did you find that?” I asked.

“She and Mr. Corners went out last night, so I spent my time digging through the garbage like a homeless person. Three bags of garbage, and I finally found it.”

“What are you going to do with it?” Maddie asked.

“Keep it tucked away in case I ever need it.” Marissa grinned. “I would give anything to see that woman go down. She scolded me this morning because I left a fork in the sink, since the dishwasher was already running before I went to bed.”

“As much as I would love to stay and chat, I have to run,” I said. “I’ll see you girls later.”

“Can I help you?” one of the bank tellers asked.

“Is Mr. Schmidt available?”

“Do you have an appointment, miss?”

“No. I’m sorry, I don’t. But I really need to speak to him.”

“Let me go see if he’s available. I’ll be right back.”

A few moments later, Mr. Schmidt walked over.

“Miss Campbell, it’s good to see you again. Come into my office.”

I sat in the chair across from his desk. The same chair where he rejected my loan application the first time.

“Now, what can I do for you?” he asked with a smile, his hands folded on his desk.

“I’ve revised my business plan for my business.” I pushed the file folder to him. “Inside, you’ll find my business plan, my employer’s name, and my weekly income.”

He opened the file folder and studied it.

“Impressive. Have you found a location yet for your shop, if you were to get approved for the loan?”

“Not yet. I need to know if I got the loan first.”

“Well, from what I’m seeing, it shouldn’t be an issue. It should only take half a day to process, so I’ll call you this afternoon with our decision. Until then, I would advise you to start looking for a building today.”

A bright smile graced my face. “Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. I’ll do just that.”

After I left the bank, I sat on a bench and pulled up spaces for rent. One particular building caught my attention, so I called the listed number.

“Grant Roman.”

“Hello, Mr. Roman. My name is Charlotte Campbell, and I’m interested in checking out the space for rent on West 53 rd Street.”

“Ah, yes. That space is still available. When would you like to see it?”

“Now, if possible.”

“Give me thirty minutes and I’ll meet you there.”

“Thank you, Mr. Roman. I’ll see you then.”

I smiled when the cab pulled up to the curb. After paying, I climbed out and smiled at the corner shop with bowed windows and cute French doors. I already envisioned what the name of my shop would look like, scripted on the window.

“You must be Charlotte.”

Turning around, I noted the handsome man named Grant Roman.

“And you must be, Mr. Roman.” I extended my hand.

“Please, call me Grant. Let’s take a look, shall we?” He inserted the key into the lock and opened the door.

“Was this a bakery at one time?”

“It was. But not a very good one. They were only in business for a year. What type of business are you looking to put here?”

“A pie shop. I’m calling it The Cozy Crumb.”

“I love it.” He grinned. “And I love pie. I’ll be the first one in line to purchase one.”

“Thanks.” I laughed.

My phone rang. Pulling it from my purse, it was the bank calling. Instantly, my nerves shot up.

“I have to take this. Excuse me.” I walked away. “Hello.”

“Charlotte, this is Mr. Schmidt. I’m happy to inform you that your loan has been approved. I’ll just need you to come in to sign the paperwork and provide proof of the rental agreement once you find a space.”

“Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. I think I have already found a place.” Ending the call, I walked over to where Grant stood. “That was the bank. My business loan was approved, and I’m excited to rent this space.”

“Excellent. I’ll get all the paperwork done and call you to come in and sign when they’re ready.”

“Thank you, Grant. Gosh, this is a new beginning for me.” I did a little spin. “I’m so excited.”

And I was. My mom always told me that when one door closes, another opens. She was right. This was the beginning of a new life for me. I wasn’t Charlotte Campbell, the baking, dancing nanny. I was Charlotte Campbell, CEO and owner of The Cozy Crumb.