Next Door to the Billionaire

by Remi Carrington

  “He doesn’t know I live there, but he wants to see me.”

  “Looks like he’s leaving.”

  The sting of disappointment surprised Livvy. “I miss seeing him.”

  The china clinked as Verbena set her cup on the saucer. “How did you meet him?”

  Livvy launched into the tale of when she’d first met Tanner, recounting every detail of that day. “Then I saw him again weeks ago when he came into the diner for pie. Every Friday for weeks, he’d show up, and we’d chat a little. Then I saw his engagement photo, and his fiancée showed up with her other boyfriend and forgot her ring on the table. I should’ve given it back to her, but she left before I could—sort of. When Tanner came in, I didn’t give him the ring, so I followed him to his cabin.”

  “And you gave it to him?”

  “Not before the storm hit. We ended up stranded in his cabin all weekend.”

  “Oooh.” Dimples appeared on Verbena’s cheeks.

  Livvy didn’t want her to think the wrong thing. “Nothing happened. Well, I mean, I kissed him, but other than that, we just talked.”

  “But now you don’t want to talk to him?”

  “He’s rich.”

  Verbena eyed Livvy. “Is that so?”

  “I don’t think I’m a good match for his lifestyle.”

  “You won’t know if that’s true unless you talk to him.”

  “You’re probably right, but I’m just not sure what to say.” Livvy finished the last of her tea.

  “Why don’t you sneak back while he’s gone? But, I’d love company again sometime.”

  “I’d like that, too.” Livvy scrawled her number on the napkin. “You can call me or text me.”

  “My son, Austin, bought me a fancy phone, so I can do that.” Verbena picked up a smart phone off the counter.

  Livvy hugged her nosy, delightful neighbor and ran back out to the Jeep. “Call me.”

  “Oh, I will. I’ll need updates!”

  For the next couple of days, Livvy thought about what Verbena had said. But Livvy couldn’t make herself talk to Tanner. Avoiding him hadn’t made him any less a central figure in her thoughts.

  On the way home from class, she stopped by the nursery and bought several plants for the front beds. With it cleared out, the few flowers that had managed to survive looked lonely.

  She changed clothes before unloading the plants. Content that it was safe to work outside while Tanner was at work, she pulled on her gloves and dug holes for the new additions. For hours, she dug and planted and watered. Finished with one bed, she moved on to the next.

  Chapter 19

  Tanner checked his phone before pulling out of the lot. He hadn’t heard anything from Livvy for a couple weeks and was beginning to lose hope. Friday, he was headed out of town, and that wouldn’t help him find her. He’d searched everywhere he could think of. He’d eaten at the diner a few times, just in case she picked up a shift. The last time he’d walked in, the hostess shook her head before he’d even asked about Livvy.

  Instead of bombarding her with text messages, which didn’t seem like an effective way to convince her of anything, he devised a plan to see her before he left.

  She’d read his note, which meant that Nellie had seen Livvy and probably knew where to find her. And Nellie had been acting all kinds of weird. She had all but admitted that she was in regular contact, but she was withholding information. His plan centered on getting her to talk.

  He raced home, ready to grill Nellie until she let him know where to find Livvy, but before he even made it to the driveway, his wish came true.

  On her knees, arms buried up to the elbows in dirt, Livvy planted flowers in the beds in front of Nellie’s. He resisted the urge to run over and wipe the smudges of dirt from her face. As quietly as he could, he slipped out of the car.

  An older woman called out, “Hello, Livvy! What a beautiful day!”

  “It is.” Livvy sat up, leaving more dirt streaks on her face as she wiped it.

  While she was distracted by the neighbor, he crossed the yard, the soft green grass making his footsteps almost silent.

  He stopped behind her.

  The neighbor waved. “Send me an update soon.”

  “I don’t have one.” Livvy’s shoulders sagged.

  The woman winked, erasing any doubt she’d distracted Livvy on purpose. “You will.”

  Tanner couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “I’ve been wanting to see you.”

  Livvy stifled a scream, clasping her hand to her chest as she spun around. “Tanner? You scared me.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  She looked around for the neighbor, then turned back to the flowers, and dragged a finger through the dirt, avoiding his gaze.

  “Will you let Nellie know that I’ll be over for dinner tonight? Coop mentioned that Nellie’s new roommate is a great cook.”

  She was just as pretty as the night she’d sat in his booth, keeping him company. Her blonde hair was gathered into a loose ponytail. “He told you about me?”

  “He left out one tiny detail—you.” Tanner wanted to pull her into his arms and whisk her away to the cabin to pick up where’d they’d left off, but considering it still had a hole in the roof, that didn’t seem like a good idea.

  She stood up, dusting grass and soil off her legs. “Dinner’s at six.”

  “You still thinking about it?” He closed the distance between them and tucked an escaped lock of hair behind her ear.

  She raised her eyebrows. “Dinner?”

  He leaned in closer. “Us.”

  “Every day.” Her words slipped out in barely a whisper, and she stepped away.

  “You free later? I need a friend to drive me over to pick up my new truck.” He emphasized the word, hoping she’d agree if it didn’t sound like a date.

  “I need to get cleaned up.”

  “Whenever it’s convenient. What happened with your car?”

  “They totaled it. I’m waiting on the check. Then I can finally let Nellie have her Jeep back.”

  “I could—”

  “What? Buy me a car?” Hands on her hips, she stared him down. “You can’t just swoop in and fix everything with money.”

  He put up his hands. “I was going to say that I could let you drive my car.”

  She glanced at the Maserati, and fear settled in her eyes. “I, uh—”

  “Unless you’d rather drive my truck. But you don’t have to decide right now.” He wondered if she had any idea what it meant that he’d offered to let her drive his brand new truck.

  “Let me go change.”

  “I don’t want to interfere with dinner. If tomorrow is better . . .”

  She glanced at the time. “That would be good, I think.”

  Doing it tomorrow meant not rushing back for dinner, giving them more time to detour, if he could convince her.

  Tanner tried not to let his excitement show. “I could drop you off at class in the morning then pick you up afterward to go get the truck.”

  “If that won’t interfere with your work.” She focused on getting dirt out from under her nails.

  “What’s for dinner tonight?”

  “Shrimp and grits.”

  “With bacon?”

  She nodded.

  “Can’t wait. Let me get out of this suit, and I’ll be over in a bit.” He stepped away but glanced back. “If that’s okay?”

  “It’s your sister’s house. You probably have a key. I’m not going to say no.”

  He stopped himself from asking if she wanted him there. “If you need anything, I’m right next door.”

  He only caught a glimpse of a grin as she spun and walked back to the house.

  Next door.

  She’d been there the whole time, and he’d been going crazy, wondering where she’d gone. He needed to have a long conversation with Nellie about family and loyalty and keeping secrets.

  Feeling much more comfortable wearing blue jeans and an old t-shirt
that should have been tossed ages ago, Tanner hopped on a barstool in Nellie’s kitchen. “How was class?”

  Livvy seemed more relaxed than when he’d surprised her outside. “Made A’s on my last two tests. Working for your sister allows much more time to study, and it pays better, too.”

  “I’m glad. Have you spoken with your mom?”

  She turned her back, and he hoped he hadn’t made her cry.

  He decided that changing the subject was a good idea. “When are classes over? The end is near, I’m guessing.”

  “What are you? A doomsday prophet?” She giggled. “Two more weeks.”

  “We’re back!” Nellie walked into the kitchen and froze. “I swear I didn’t say a word.”

  Coop grinned. “It wasn’t me, either.”

  Livvy crossed the room and stood close enough to Tanner that if he’d reached out, he could’ve pulled her into his arms. Tempting as it was, he refrained.

  “He saw me when I was planting the flowers.”

  “They look amazing.” Nellie pulled two envelopes out of her bag. “Didn’t bother to mail these because I knew I’d see you.” She pointed at him. “I already put you down as a yes because you’re a groomsman. Should I include a plus one?”

  Tanner wanted to kick his sister, but she was on the opposite side of the counter. “Not sure yet.”

  “You’ll come, won’t you, Livvy?” Nellie leaned back against Coop as he wrapped his arms around her.

  Livvy stared at the embossed invitation. “I’d love to be there. Thank you for inviting me.”

  However Nellie wanted to write it down, Tanner had a plus one. When she wandered out of the kitchen, he followed.

  “How could you keep this a secret? You’re my sister. I was worried about Livvy, and the whole time, you knew where she was.”

  “Stop. I didn’t tell you because I care about you, and it’s easy to see how you feel about her.”

  “Nellie, that makes no sense.”

  “When I offered her a place to live, she wouldn’t accept it. When I offered her a job, she accepted only on the condition that I didn’t tell you where she’d moved.”

  “Who knew?”

  “In our family? Who didn’t know is a shorter list.”

  “Mom and Dad know?”

  She nodded. “Mom loves her, by the way.”

  Tanner didn’t know whether to cheer or panic. “It’s a wee bit too soon for that.”

  Nellie handed him another envelope. “I snagged this before it went out with the others. The Withers are not invited to my wedding.”

  Tanner stared at the envelope, imagining the lecture his grandfather would’ve given had he been there. “I kinda miss Grandfather, but—”

  “Tanner, you don’t have to explain. Grandfather’s view of life made it hard on the rest of us. Be thankful that Mom turned out so different.”

  “And that Dad didn’t take a job in the family business.”

  “Do you regret it?” Nellie wrung her hands and stared at the floor.

  “I like it. Really. Accepting that I can run the business as I see fit has made it even more enjoyable.” Tanner glanced back over his shoulder. “Hardest part is that the money attracts some and pushes the important one away.”

  “She’ll come around.”

  “I hope so. I really do. When I saw her toda—”

  Nellie cleared her throat.

  “Go ahead and finish your sentence.” Livvy stepped up next to him and crossed her arms.

  Tanner turned to face her. She’d asked him to finish, and he’d tell her the truth.

  “When I saw you today, I had to fight the urge to sweep you into my arms and whisper about how much I miss spending time with you, miss hearing you giggle when I crack a stupid joke, miss sharing Oreos with you.” He held her gaze. “Should I continue?”

  “Dinner’s ready.” She spun around and almost ran out of the room.

  Coop walked in, pointing over his shoulder. “What did you say to her? You better not run her off. She’s a good cook.”

  Nellie rolled her eyes. “Let’s go eat.”

  Tanner made a mental note to buy Oreos after he left Nellie’s.

  Chapter 20

  Livvy sucked in a deep breath before pulling open the front door. “Good morning.”

  “It is.” Tanner stuck his hands in his pockets.

  The jeans and a button-down he sported made him look like he’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine. He looked good in everything, but his current outfit was her favorite.

  She brushed past him and hurried to the car. Verbena stood on the sidewalk, waving. Livvy needed to text with an update or schedule tea.

  Once Tanner slid in behind the wheel, she asked, “What happened to your suit?”

  “Like that better? I can change.”

  She rolled her eyes and buckled her seat belt. “I thought rich businessmen dressed up for work.”

  “I decided on a more casual look today.” He slid a package of Oreos toward her. “In case you need a snack during class.”

  She wanted to give him a chance, but doubts still lingered. “So, what do you do exactly?”

  “I work in commercial real estate.”

  “It’s a family business?”

  “Yes. My mom’s grandfather started the business years ago. It has transformed a lot over the years.”

  “Do you like what you do?”

  “Yes.” He glanced over at her. “I’m the same Tanner you spent the weekend with at the cabin. Does the money change how you see me?”

  The idea of all that money scared her and made her feel not enough, which was stupid. In her life, money had been lacking for as long as she could remember. He had all the money he needed and more. If he had that, why did he need her?

  She didn’t say another word until he pulled up to the college. “Thank you for the cookies.” She raced away before he could say anything else.

  As she sat down in class, a text popped up on her phone: Let me know what time to pick you up. I enjoyed our chat.

  Livvy tapped out a response before letting her better sense stop her: I’ll be ready at eleven. And my mom wants to meet the guy that saved me.

  She shut off her phone and jammed it in her pocket, not wanting to deal with whatever he sent in reply. In class, she sat in the back and saved a seat for Tessa, who walked in seconds later.

  “Hey. When did you quit working at the diner?” After dropping into her seat, she tossed her bag under her chair.

  “A month ago. I found a different job.” Livvy pulled out her notebook and a pen. “How’d you know I wasn’t working there?”

  Tessa laughed. “I stopped in for dinner one night and was going to ask about you.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “Someone else asked first. I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up, but you haven’t. I need answers.”

  Livvy tried to keep concern out of her expression. “Oh?”

  Had Tessa overheard the police asking questions?

  “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I just saw him again in the parking lot. I’d never forget a guy like that.”

  “A guy like what? Who are you talking about?”

  “Tall, dark, and handsome. That ring any bells?” Tessa raised one eyebrow.

  It was clear who she meant.

  Livvy hunted for a pen in her purse. “He’s a friend of mine.”

  “A friend who didn’t know where you were? But now he’s giving you rides to class?” Tessa drew hearts on her notebook.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “That sounds like a Facebook status.” Tessa flashed a wicked grin, a warning that Livvy might not like what was coming next. “And he looked like a million bucks in his suit. And his car gave me heart palpitations. You might want to reconsider that whole friends thing.”

  “Shhh.” Livvy pointed to the front as the professor tried to get everyone’s attention.

  Livvy didn’t have to wait on Tanner. He was parked within
sight when she walked out of the building five minutes early.

  He jumped out when he saw her and opened the passenger door as she stepped up to the car. “I really appreciate you helping me out. And I’d love to meet your mom. But I didn’t save you. I only gave you a ride home and fixed your bike.”

  When he talked like that, she leaned toward giving him a chance.

  She handed him the opened package of Oreos. “Save me some.”

  His grin set her heart a flutter, and she texted Verbena to avoid letting him see that. We need to have tea soon. I can’t believe you distracted me.

  Verbena rarely had her phone close by and probably wouldn’t answer right away.

  Once he slid behind the wheel, he popped a cookie in his mouth. “Thanks for sharing. It reminds me of—”

  “If you meet my mom, you cannot tell her you are rich. You cannot wear a suit, and you cannot drive this car.” Livvy didn’t want to talk about the cabin.

  He stared at her, his eyes twinkling. “Anything else I cannot do?”

  Setting ground rules wouldn’t be easy if he looked at her that way when she did.

  “When I mentioned that I’d bumped into you after all these years, she started crying and asked to meet you. She doesn’t know that I stayed at your cabin or that we . . .” Why did she start sentences that were impossible to finish without embarrassing herself?

  “That I fell head over heels?”

  The wall of protection Livvy worked so hard to build crumbled into a thousand pieces. Eyes fixed on him, she choked out one question. “Really?”

  “I’m just waiting for you to give us a chance.”

  “The engagement?” She needed to know that was over.

  “I told Angela the wedding was off.”

  Her mound of excuses dissolved into desire. “I want to, Tanner, but your world is so different than the one I know.”

  “I’m only asking that you give me a chance.”

  Her phone beeped. Verbena had seen her message. My schedule is wide open.

  “Let’s go pick up your truck.”

  He winked and threw the car in reverse. “Yes, ma’am.” Before backing out of the space, he stopped. “You should drive. See if you like the way this car handles.”