Page 33 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Thirty-Three

Ashton

It was the day of the fall festival. I had rented a van to transport all sixty-five pies Charlotte had made. She was only supposed to make fifty, but decided she needed more last night, and was up until one thirty a.m. baking.

The tension between us lessened. I wouldn’t say we were in a great place, because we weren’t.

It was just average. And the more time that passed, the more I found myself missing her, even though she lived in my home.

What Charlotte didn’t know was that I had hired a crew to help transport the pies from the van into Central Park.

“What’s this? Who are they?” Charlotte asked as four men approached the van.

“Those are the guys who are going to transport the pies to your table.”

“Why? We could have done it ourselves, Ashton.”

“You’ve done enough with all the baking. And frankly, I didn’t feel like taking sixty-five pies and a few bins from the van, loading them onto a cart, and pushing it through Central Park.”

“You’re lazy.” She smiled.

“I know.” I winked.

Thank God it was a sunny day and no rain was forecasted. The crisp autumn air carried a mingled scent of cinnamon, pumpkin, and wood smoke as I held Eloise’s hand, and the leaves crunched under our feet as we walked along the pathways of Central Park.

“Daddy, look!” Eloise tugged on my hand, pointing toward a face-painting booth that was being set up. “I want my face painted. Please, Dad.”

“After we help Charlotte set up her booth,” I promised.

The men with the pies and Charlotte walked a few feet ahead of us.

When we reached her booth, she removed a rust-colored tablecloth with leaves and pumpkins on it and spread it across the elongated table.

Then she removed the sign she had printed with the words: The Cozy Crumb.

It was a cute name and fit her business perfectly.

“I’m here. I’m here.” A woman walked over and hugged Charlotte. “You must be Ashton. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I was sure she had.

“Ashton, this is my cousin, Melissa.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smiled.

“And you must be, Eloise.” She hugged her. “You are way too cute.”

“If you want to take Eloise around the festival, go ahead,” Charlotte said. “There’s so much to see and do, and I don’t want her to miss any of it.”

“Come on, Dad.” Eloise grabbed my hand and pulled me.

“I’ll see you later,” I said to Charlotte.

I walked Eloise over to the face-painting booth first since she wouldn’t stop talking about getting her face painted.

“What design are you thinking?” I asked her.

“A pumpkin. Since it’s autumn, I think a pumpkin would be fitting.”

“I agree.” I smiled.

My phone pinged. Pulling it from my pocket, I saw a text from Charlie.

I know you’re here. Where are you?

Over at the face-painting booth.

What are you doing? Getting the word, DICK, painted on your face.

Hilarious, asshole.

Stay there. I’m making my way through the park.

Before too long, Charlie approached just as Eloise was finished with her face-painting.

“Hi, Uncle Charlie!”

“Hi, sweetheart. Wow. I love that pumpkin on your face.”

“Thanks.” She grinned.

“What are you doing here, Charlie?”

“Experiencing the gifts of autumn and watching you in Dad action. Besides, someone needs to watch your dumbass and make sure you don’t cause a scene with Charlotte.”

“Wow. You’re just full of laughs today.” I rolled my eyes.

He walked with Eloise and me as she stopped at various booths to check out the different items people were selling.

“I need a coffee,” I said.

“Me too,” Charlie agreed.

I grabbed Eloise’s hand and we hit up a coffee booth, selling different kinds of fall drinks.

“How can I help you?” the woman behind the booth asked.

“Can I get a medium coffee, please. Just black.”

“Which flavor would you like?”

“Just a regular black coffee, please.”

“We have pumpkin spice, cinnamon bun, maple crème, or pecan pie.”

“You don’t have regular flavored coffee?”

“I’m sorry. We don’t. Just the wonderful blends of autumn.” She smiled.

“Give me a medium pumpkin spice then. Charlie?” I glanced at him.

“I’ll try the cinnamon bun,” he said.

As soon as she handed me my coffee, I took a sip and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Stopping, I turned around and picked up a bag of beans.

“If I recall, you don’t have a coffee machine for that bag of coffee. You only have a Nespresso.”

“Then I’ll buy one.” I smiled.

“This is pretty good. Lead the way to Charlotte’s booth. I want to check out her pies.”

Eloise ran ahead of us to Charlotte’s booth, which had about fifteen people standing in line.

“Damn. Look at that,” Charlie said. “You don’t think she’s sold out already, do you? I’ll be pissed.”

“If she is, she’ll make you one.”

After the crowd was taken care of and people walked away with their pies, Charlie and I stepped forward.

“Hey, Charlie.” Charlotte smiled. “How are you?”

“I’m good, Charlotte. Wow. You look beautiful.”

I hooked my arm around him and squeezed his neck.

“You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

“Try this.” I handed Charlotte my coffee.

She took a sip, and her eyes lit up. “Oh my God. This is amazing.”

“I bought a bag of beans.” I grinned, holding up the bag.

“You actually bought pumpkin spice coffee?”

“Tis the season, right?” I winked.

“One problem. We don’t have a coffee machine for those beans. We only have the Nespresso.”

“After we leave the festival, we’ll stop at William Sonoma and pick one up.”

“Eloise!” Someone from behind screeched.

“Kelsey!” She ran over and hugged her.

“Hello, Ashton.”

“Paul. Katrina. It’s good to see you.” I smiled. “Enjoying the festival?”

“I will be as soon as I buy one of Charlotte’s pies.

That apple raisin I bought at the school fundraiser was out of this world.

Before I talk to Charlotte, we were wondering if Eloise would like to spend the night tonight.

Kelsey has been bugging me nonstop for the last two weeks.

Unfortunately, we’ve been unavailable, but this weekend we’re free as birds.

We wanted to take the girls to Coney Island tomorrow. ”

“I’m sure Eloise would love that. I don’t have a problem with it, but you’d better check with Charlotte. I’m not sure if she was going to practice their dance routine for the talent show tomorrow or not.”

“I heard that, and it’s fine. Eloise can go.” Charlotte grinned.

“If it’s not a problem, we can take Eloise home to pack a bag on the way to our house. We’re getting ready to leave. Charlotte’s pies are our last stop.”

“That’s fine.” I pulled out my keys and took the one to the house off. “Here’s the key. Just leave it under the mat on the porch.”

“Will do. Now, let me see those delicious pies.”