Page 32 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
“Good night, Eloise. I’ll see you in the morning,” Charlotte said.
Taking Eloise upstairs, I set her on her bed and tucked her in.
“How was school today?” I asked, leaning over her.
“Fine.”
“Just fine?”
“We’re having a school fundraiser and fall bake-off, and Charlotte said she’d help out by baking pies and selling them.”
“That’s nice of her to do that. You really like Charlotte, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I like her a lot.” She grabbed her stuffed bear and hugged it.
“You know I love you, right?” I asked.
She looked away, and I felt a pain in my heart.
“Eloise?”
She slowly nodded, but I wasn’t convinced she knew. I’d remembered all the years I fought to get my father’s attention, even going as far as to get arrested for stealing when I was twelve years old.
I leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“Good night and sweet dreams. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You sure about that?” she asked.
“Yes. I promise I will be here when you wake up and we’ll have breakfast together before school and work.”
“Okay, Dad. Good night.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ashton
After I tucked Eloise in, I went to the living room and over to the bar for a glass of scotch.
“Is she all tucked in?” Charlotte walked into the room.
“Yes. Believe it or not, I can tuck my daughter in just fine and all by myself.” I tipped the glass to my lips.
“I didn’t say you couldn’t. Listen, Ashton. Don’t be that guy.”
“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”
“I’ve dated my fair share of wealthy men, and they all think money is a personality trait.”
I poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her.
“Thanks. One guy I dated, Richard, would literally interrupt conversations to mention his yacht. Thomas would tip servers a hundred dollars just to watch their reaction, as if he were some king. Bryce loved his Ferrari more than human beings. And Jeremy. Jesus, Jeremy.” She shook her head. “The only thing his narcissistic ass cared about was his portfolio, his social circle, and how many women he could get away with sleeping with at the same time.”
“Then why did you stay with them?” I asked.
“I didn’t. Not for long anyway. But you know what the strangest part was? They were all so desperately insecure underneath it all. The cars, the watches, the name-dropping. It was like they were constantly trying to convince themselves they mattered and nothing else in life did.”
“I’m not like that,” I said, finishing off my scotch and pouring another one.
