Next Door to the Billionaire

by Remi Carrington

  “How awful.”

  “Yeah. Tanner had already been at the company, but that was the day he became the heir apparent. I felt horrible.” She stared at the comforter, tracing the pattern with her finger. “Kinda how I felt when grandfather announced his engagement to Angela.”

  “A good business decision?” Pieces fell into place, and Livvy began to understand how Tanner had ended up with someone like Angela.

  “Ugh. I can’t stand that woman. Anyway, Tanner isn’t like my grandfather, but he’s having a hard time. I know it sounds like I’m making excuses for him.”

  “I still don’t understand why you want me to know all this. I promise that I’m not after Tanner or his money. And I’m not trying to get between him and Angela.”

  “I wish someone would. I’m telling you because it’s clear you are important to him. I haven’t seen him this upset since he dragged a broken bike home years ago.”

  Livvy hadn’t expected that answer. “He told you?”

  “He mentioned it. Grandfather gave Tanner such a hard time, telling him that fixing up an old bike wasn’t worth it, but he kept at it.”

  “He didn’t tell me that.” She remembered laying in the dark and recounting the story.

  Entertaining those thoughts only made her heart ache, but she wouldn’t—couldn’t be like her mom.

  Nellie crossed her arms and cocked her head. “You like my brother.” It wasn’t even a question.

  Livvy remained calm. “It’s complicated.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll let you sleep, but there’s something I want to discuss with you tomorrow. Please don’t leave without talking to me.”

  “I need to leave early to find a bus stop, so I can get to class.” Livvy figured she’d have to walk miles. Buses didn’t frequent gated neighborhoods.

  “What time?”

  “Class starts at eight.”

  “I’ll take you. See you in the morning.” Nellie waved before closing the door.

  Livvy switched off the lamp and stared into the darkness.

  She couldn’t stay with his parents. She’d see Tanner too often.

  As much as she hated the idea, she’d go back to living out of her bag in the library.

  Sleep didn’t spend much time with Livvy that night, and based on the tossing and turning she heard in the next room, someone else didn’t sleep well either.

  When Livvy wandered into the kitchen bright and early, Nellie sat at the table sipping coffee. “Breakfast taco? I hope bacon and egg is okay.”

  “Thanks.” Livvy accepted the foil-wrapped taco and followed Nellie to her Jeep. “Trouble sleeping last night?”

  “Nope. Went home and slept like a log.”

  If Nellie hadn’t been in the next room, it likely meant Tanner had been the restless one.

  “I see from your bag that you aren’t planning to return to the house.”

  Livvy checked the time on her phone. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m ungrateful, but I can’t stay here.”

  “Because of Tanner?”

  “Because of a lot of reasons.”

  “I have an extra room. Three actually.” Nellie glanced at Livvy.

  “It’s very kind of you to offer, but I don’t want to be a charity case.”

  Not accepting charity from them became even more important after discovering how loaded they were.

  Nellie didn’t give up easily. “What about this? I need someone to help out around the house and be willing to live there. Coop and I will be getting married and taking an extended honeymoon. I’ll need a reliable house sitter.”

  “When is the wedding?”

  “Two months.”

  “You don’t even know me.” Livvy wanted to find the reason for the offer, but Nellie hadn’t given enough information.

  “You aren’t a complete stranger. Besides, it’ll be you or a different stranger, and I like you.”

  “What kind of help?”

  “Umm, can you cook?”

  “Yes.”

  “Cooking.”

  “That’s it?”

  “I don’t care what you do. I’ll pay you and let you live there. Please.”

  Livvy wrestled with the offer. It was a job, not all that different from waiting on Nellie’s table at the diner.

  She didn’t want to turn down the offer, but she did want to add a caveat. “On one condition.”

  “Name it.” Nellie’s generosity didn’t make sense.

  “You can’t tell Tanner.”

  Nellie ran her pinched fingers along the front of her lips.

  “And that doesn’t mean that your mom or Coop can tell him.”

  “I’ll let my parents and fiancé know that mums the word.”

  Livvy couldn’t leave well enough alone. “Why are you helping me?”

  “It’s complicated.” Nellie winked.

  “Even so, I appreciate it.” Livvy reached for the handle as Nellie pulled along the curb. “I don’t want to leave the diner in a lurch, so I’ll work my shifts until they can find a replacement.”

  Nellie handed her a slip of paper. “Here’s my number. Just call. I’ll come get you.”

  Livvy watched the Jeep drive away, wondering what Nellie hadn’t said.

  There’s gotta be a catch.

  Chapter 11

  The morning light greeted Tanner when he opened his eyes. Wanting to see Livvy, he rolled out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen.

  His mother sat at the table cradling a mug. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

  “Hey. Livvy up yet?” He poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “She left about a half-hour ago.”

  “I was planning to give her a ride.”

  “Apparently, she didn’t know that. You were asleep. Nellie drove her.”

  Tanner scrubbed his face. He’d messed up again. “What time are we going to the funeral home?”

  “We’ll talk about that later. First, tell me about Livvy.” His mother hadn’t made a request.

  “Remember years ago, when I fixed up the bike for that kid?”

  “The one you painted turquoise?”

  “That was Livvy. She’s a waitress at the diner.”

  “She’s not a kid anymore.” Mom’s coffee mug barely hid her smile.

  Tanner ignored it. “Anyway, she followed me out to the cabin to tell me about Angela and to give me the ring. Then the storm hit.”

  “And what are you not telling me?”

  “I need to help her, Mom. That day I met her was the day her dad died, but I never knew.”

  She patted the table. “Go home and relax. We have an appointment at one. You only have to go if you want to.”

  “That’s it? I expected more questions.”

  “There’s always later.” She winked, which pierced him with a tinge of concern.

  “I want to go. It’s time I played the part.” He refilled his mug.

  Mom touched his cheek. “Making the business a success doesn’t mean you have to live your life the way your grandfather lived his.”

  Tanner didn’t miss the implication. “I know. I just have a lot to sort out.”

  As mom walked out of the kitchen, Nellie walked in and tossed him keys. “I’ll need it tonight, but other than that, you can use it. The tank is full.”

  Tanner stuffed them in his pocket. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “Take a shower. You need it.” She laughed as she tugged open the refrigerator.

  “What did Livvy say? Did she go to work or class?”

  “Class. Doesn’t have to be at work until later.”

  “What time? I’ll give her a ride.”

  “Maybe you should call her.” She swung the refrigerator closed. Her grin carried the big sister tease he’d grown up with.

  “I don’t have her number. Will you give it to me?” Acting as if it wasn’t a big deal, he sipped his coffee.

  “You really don’t have her number? All weekend, and you never asked for it?”

  “There
was no power or cell signal. Phones were the last thing on our mind.” He regretted his choice of words as soon as they left his mouth.

  Her laughter only added to his regret.

  Having no way of contacting Livvy bothered him. “Please just give me the number.”

  “Why should I do that?” Nellie stirred cream and sugar into her coffee.

  “So I don’t have to park outside the college and scan the sidewalk for her.”

  “I don’t have it.”

  Tanner didn’t believe her. “I’ll give you anything you want if you’ll give me the number.”

  “I really don’t have it. She said she’d call later, though.”

  “What time does she have to be at work?”

  “Three, I think.”

  Tanner yanked on his shoes and fished the keys out of his pocket. “Be back in a while.”

  “I hope you are going home to shower. You need it. Desperately.”

  After a shower, because his sister had been right about needing one, he raced to the grocery store.

  Determined to use the express checkout, he grabbed only what he absolutely needed. Steak and Oreos were at the top of the list.

  He made it through the store in record time.

  Before pulling out of the parking lot, he called his sister. “Have you heard from Livvy?”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Mind if I come over? I’ll make you a steak, but I have to leave by one. I’m meeting Mom.” Tanner needed to talk to someone, and his sister always listened.

  “See you in a few.” She hadn’t said anything about last night, and Tanner wondered how much she knew. “Hurry, kid brother, so we have time to talk before you have to be at the diner.”

  Kid brother? That was Nellie poking fun. Coop hadn’t left out any details about what happened at the cabin.

  Chapter 12

  Livvy gathered her books. “Tessa, mind giving me a ride to the diner?”

  “I can do that. What happened to your car?”

  “The storm. Tree fell on it.”

  “Glad you weren’t in it. Wow. F3 is what the news is saying about that twister.”

  “I hadn’t heard that. Sounds like it did a lot of damage.”

  The drive was quiet, giving Livvy time to process the crazy weekend. Being stranded made people do strange things. The kiss was the culmination of a bad case of cabin fever and that stupid game of Truth or Dare. Clinging to that as truth, she hoped she’d begin to believe it.

  As they neared the diner, she pulled out her phone and texted Nellie: Hey. This is Livvy. Found a ride to work. I get off at 11pm, but I’m sure I can get a ride to the house. I just need your address.

  Livvy jumped out as soon as Tessa stopped in front of the diner. “Thanks for the ride.” Running inside, Livvy headed for the ladies’ room to freshen up before starting her shift.

  She checked her reflection in the mirror and tugged her hair back into a ponytail, then let her shoulders relax. Frazzled described her, and nothing on hand would change that.

  When she walked up to the front counter, she glanced at the assigned sections list.

  The hostess pointed at Livvy’s name. “You already have someone waiting for you. He asked for your section.”

  Livvy scanned the room. Tanner sat in a corner booth, grinning.

  She hurried to his table. “What are you doing here?”

  “You left without saying good morning or leaving me your number.” The humor twinkling in his eyes betrayed the serious tone of his voice.

  “What do you want?” Livvy didn’t mean to snap at him, but seeing him didn’t make it easy to keep her feelings in check.

  The hostess seated a couple at a nearby table, and inwardly, Livvy frowned. Another long, quiet night chatting with Tanner would be more enjoyable than waiting tables. Except that she wasn’t supposed to feel that way.

  He focused on the menu, tracing the name of the diner with his finger. “Giving you rides, getting together—as friends, of course—would be much easier if I had your number.”

  She glanced around. “I’ll think about it. Need time to decide?”

  “Go take care of that other table. I’m not in a hurry.” He pulled out his phone.

  Friends. She repeated the word in her head. Herding cats would be easier than keeping her feelings in the friend zone.

  Tables filled up, and patrons talked about the storm while looking over their menus.

  Livvy checked on Tanner. “Sorry it took me so long to get back over here. You decide?”

  “Surprise me. But I’ll have a Coke with it.”

  “Tanner, I can’t. Please just tell me what you want.”

  “I want your favorite.” He snapped his menu closed and tucked it in place. “Please.”

  She scribbled shrimp and grits on the order. “It’ll be out soon.”

  Back and forth across the restaurant, she took orders, refilled drinks, and delivered food. When his was ready, she whispered a prayer that he didn’t have a shellfish allergy.

  “Shrimp and grits. Is that okay?”

  “Looks delicious. What time do you get off?”

  “Eleven, but I have a ride.” She pointed at his glass. “Refill?”

  “Sure.”

  She dropped off his drink, but before she could say anything, another customer waved her over. “Holler if you need anything.”

  On the busiest night she could remember in months, she only managed another brief exchange with him before he paid his check and left. He’d emptied every last morsel from his bowl, so he must’ve liked the dish she ordered for him. And, he’d left a monster tip.

  The crowds continued which made for a quick night. The last customer walked out the door at seven minutes after eleven.

  The cashier closed out the register. “I heard your car got smashed in the storm this weekend. You should’ve said something. We could have covered your shift for you.”

  “I didn’t want to leave y’all in a bind.”

  “You look exhausted. I’ll clean up. Head on home.”

  “Thanks.” Livvy checked her phone when it beeped.

  Nellie sent a text that Livvy had to read more than once to believe: Sent limo to get you. Will explain later.

  When Livvy stepped outside and spotted Nellie’s Jeep, she was confused. Trusting Nellie, Livvy strolled toward the limo, glancing over her shoulder at the Jeep a couple times.

  A handsome guy jumped out of the long black car and opened the back door. “Livvy?”

  “Yes.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Milo.” He extended his hand.

  “Thanks for the ride. I didn’t expect—”

  “Hey, Livvy.” Tanner ran up. “Evening, Milo. We don’t need you after all. I can give Livvy a ride.”

  How was she supposed to go to Nellie’s without Tanner knowing?

  Milo focused on Livvy. “You want me to drive you? I don’t mind.”

  She liked that he asked her opinion about it. “I’ll ride with Tanner.”

  He winked. “He’s a good guy, but I had to check. You two have a good night.”

  Tanner matched her stride as they walked to the car. “How was the rest of your shift?”

  “Busy.”

  They buckled in, and he started driving but didn’t ask any other questions.

  It was way too quiet. Livvy thought of a million things to say but bit her tongue.

  His phone rested in the cup holder, and when it rang, Nellie’s picture filled the screen.

  He ignored it.

  A minute later, a text popped up. I need my car!

  Livvy wondered what had happened.

  When they arrived at his parents’ house, Tanner parked in the garage.

  Livvy swung open the door. “Thanks for the ride.” As much as she loved being with him, she knew it couldn’t work.

  Standing in the dark, the only light spilling in through the open door, Tanner caught her arm before she stepped into the sun room that connected the gara
ge to the kitchen. “Listen, I am sorry that I belittled you with what I said. After the storm and being cooped up, I, well—I wouldn’t change any of it, but I’m glad Coop showed up when he did.”

  Livvy nodded. Corral the cats. Just Friends.

  “I wasn’t happy about it when he showed up, though.” He let his hand slide down her arm, brushing his fingers against hers. “I’m hoping I didn’t ruin everything with what I said.”

  She reminded herself of the reasons it wouldn’t work. He lived in a world with too many dollar signs; she lived in a world of diners and skinny paychecks.

  “Tanner, I don’t know. You didn’t ruin anything. It’s just . . .” She pressed a hand to his chest. “When we were in the cabin you were just Tanner. After learning more and being in town, you’re Tanner Davis, the billionaire. I’m a nobody, and I’m not sure that would even work.”

  “Nellie told you?”

  Livvy nodded, afraid of what would come out of her mouth if she opened it again.

  “You aren’t a nobody.” He slipped an arm around her waist. “Give it a chance? You don’t have to decide right now.”

  She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to say yes to giving the relationship a chance, but before she agreed, the door to the sun room opened.

  Ruthie opened the extra refrigerator before she even realized she wasn’t alone. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” After grabbing a Dr Pepper, she waved and turned to go.

  “That’s okay, Mom. It’s getting late. We needed to come in anyway.” He stepped aside to let Livvy go in first.

  “Nellie has been looking for you.” His mom raised an eyebrow.

  “I should probably call her.”

  Ruthie nodded. “You should.”

  Livvy excused herself to the bathroom and texted Nellie: Tanner picked me up. We are at your parents’ house.

  Chapter 13

  Tanner started to call his sister, but that was delayed by a knock at the door. He ran to answer it. As soon as he opened it, Angela swept in.

  “Tanner? I’ve been so worried. I went by your house. You haven’t called me back.”

  “It’s late, Angela. Go home. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He hadn’t yet decided how to handle the situation.