Grumpy Billionaire CEO's Nanny

13.

Xander

"So have you asked Juliette out yet?" Declan asks, waltzing into my office like he owns the place. At least he's wearing normal clothes today.

I lean back in my chair and raise an eyebrow.

"What exactly are you talking about?"

"You haven't?" He groans. "At least tell me the two of you have kissed or fucked."

The thought of fucking Juliette sends unbidden thoughts running through my head. I glare at Declan.

"Shut the fuck up."

He sighs before collapsing into my couch. "Man, the anticipation is killing me."

"Then die."

"Harsh, Xander. I'm your best friend."

"So you keep saying. What do you want?"

"Honestly, nothing. I came to check up on you."

"I don't need checking up on."

Declan's eyes narrow. He stares at me for a second before bursting into laughter.

"Damn, I should have found you a girlfriend ages ago. Not that I didn't try."

I rub the edge of my nose. "What are you talking about?"

"Usually around this time of the year, you're sulking and angry at the world. I can't get you to talk to me or anyone else, for that matter, even the kids. I thought I would have to take them on vacation like I did last year, but you seem to be doing okay."

"I don't follow," I say with a frown.

"Xander, it's in two weeks."

He doesn't have to say what "it" is.

"I know. I'm planning a fucking party like I always do."

"Yeah, but you're acting different."

I have no idea what he's talking about. Declan rises to his feet and walks over to pat my shoulder.

"You're moving on, Xan. And it's about damn time."

After spouting all this nonsense, he leaves, and I'm left wondering if there's any truth to his words. I have to admit there might be.

The past few years, as the anniversary of my wife's death has inched closer, it has felt like there's a noose around my neck, tightening with each passing day. This year, though, it's a little looser, lighter. And I know exactly who's responsible for that.

She's home when I get there. I find her and the kids in the living room, working on their homework. They don't notice me, so I take a second to just observe.

"Julie, could you check if this is right?" Mason asks, showing her his book.

She stares at it for a moment before a frown crosses her beautiful lips.

"Mase, I'm going to be completely honest here and tell you all of this looks like gibberish to me."

I chuckle softly.

"It's a quadratic equation," my son states.

"They teach that to twelve-year-olds?" Juliette asks incredulously.

"No, but Dad signed me up for some advanced classes so I could get more of a challenge in school."

"And are the quadratic equations challenging enough for you?"

"Not exactly."

Juliette rolls her eyes. "I think I hate you, Mase."

"No, you don't," he says firmly, flashing her a toothy grin.