Next Door to the Billionaire

by Remi Carrington

  “What if something happens?”

  “You’ll be fine.” He threw open his door and ran around to her side. “Let’s switch places.”

  She stepped out, but he didn’t move. Standing eye-level with his chest made it hard to think clearly. She wanted to give him a chance. She wanted a lot of things.

  Being close to him stirred feelings she couldn’t easily ignore. “My bike. You had it fixed instead of buying me a new one. Why?”

  “I fixed it myself. Buying one seemed impersonal. Maybe I should have gotten you a new one.”

  “You didn’t take it to a bike shop?” She leaned closer.

  He shook his head and held up his hands, letting his thumb brush her cheek. “Fixed it with these.”

  Remembering what lay underneath, she pressed a hand to the front of his shirt then changed the subject. “I need the keys.”

  He moved to the side. “Engine is running.” He didn’t pull her into his arms or kiss her—just gazed at her with that intoxicating twinkle in his eye.

  Before she lost her head and threw her arms around him, she ran around and climbed into the car. After a deep breath, she adjusted her seat and mirror and shifted into reverse. “Where to?”

  “Head back toward my place. I’ll tell you when to exit.”

  She navigated the surface streets, making her way to the highway. “Nice car.”

  “Thought you might like it.”

  When they arrived at the dealership, Tanner hopped out. “I’ll see you back at the house. Thanks for the ride.”

  “Bye.” After watching Tanner walk into the dealership, Livvy left the lot and headed northwest toward his place. She kept reminding herself to park in his driveway and not Nellie’s.

  Was she crazy for wanting to give him a chance? Was she crazy for waiting so long to consider it? Tanner was more than his money. If she judged him for having it, then he had every right to judge her for not having it, and that didn’t seem right.

  Living at Nellie’s had changed her perspective some, and the story Coop told about how he met Nellie helped warm Livvy to the idea of accepting Tanner for who he was.

  She texted him before getting out of the car: Back at Nellie’s.

  He responded moments later: About to leave the lot. Want to ride in my truck? We could go have lunch.

  Yes. She didn’t wait to send off the reply. More than anything, Livvy just wanted to be around him and spend time with him. She’d missed him, too. It was time she gave him a chance—a teeny, tiny one with oodles of boundaries.

  Tanner arrived almost on cue after she’d changed into a casual dress and freshened her makeup. When he knocked, she ran to the door.

  A silver Chevy truck sat in the driveway.

  “Where would you like to eat?” he asked.

  “Surprise me.”

  He caught her hand after locking the front door, and his sideways glance asked permission. “You look nice.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you saw me yesterday.”

  “That makes two of us.” He helped her in.

  The truck rumbled to life when he started the ignition, and he backed out of the drive.

  Minutes later, he parked outside a restaurant that had large metal mariachi sculptures in the courtyard.

  “You like tacos?”

  “Do Hobbits have fuzzy feet?” She hoped he’d read Tolkien’s books.

  He laughed. “Does Gollum love his precious?” One more point for Tanner.

  The hostess walked them to an outdoor table, and they looked over the menu.

  When the waiter arrived at the table, Tanner and Livvy ordered tacos, queso fundido, and specialty sodas.

  “Tell me about your mom. By your reaction yesterday, I thought maybe things weren’t good.”

  “She’d called me the day before. Finally. I’d left a few messages. She went on and on about how she missed me and how Leroy missed me.”

  “I bet.” Tanner stared at the table, the comment barely more than a mumble. “Sorry. Go on.”

  “To change the course of the conversation, I mentioned that I’d bumped into you at the diner after all these years. She immediately started with how she wanted to meet you and thank you for—” Livvy was about to say rescuing.

  “Fixing your bike?”

  She nodded. “Anyway, if you don’t want to meet her, I completely understand. I’m sure it would be awkward.”

  “I’m happy to meet your mom, wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt, driving my pick-up, acting poor and—I’m assuming—unattached.”

  “You would?”

  “I’ll do it even if you decide against giving us a chance.” He dropped his gaze to the table and straightened his silverware.

  Fear held her back from jumping in feet first. “Is friendship enough of a chance right now?”

  “Sounds like a great place to start.” He glanced up, and that twinkle appeared again. “So, what are my cannots?”

  “Don’t you have friends, Tanner?”

  “I just wasn’t sure if we were going to be friends like Coop and I are friends, or a different kind—just trying to clarify. I don’t normally hold his hand.”

  Livvy definitely wanted something different. She slipped her hand in his. “Let’s figure it out as we go.”

  Tanner squeezed her hand as the waiter appeared with drinks. “I like that answer.”

  Chapter 21

  Tanner pulled into the driveway, wishing he could spend more time with Livvy. “Thanks for going to lunch with me.”

  “I’ll let you know what night is good for my mom. Are you coming to dinner over here tonight?”

  “Will there be enough?”

  “Coop might not get fourths, but yeah.” Livvy’s laugh made the world come alive. “You heading back to the office?”

  He checked the time. “I need to.”

  “See ya later.” She climbed out of the truck and crossed the yard. After unlocking the door, she waved before disappearing behind it.

  Tanner added a reminder to get his sister flowers. He owed her a huge debt of gratitude for keeping Livvy connected and close by.

  The flower shop was more crowded than he expected on a Thursday afternoon. Instead of calling in an order, he’d opted to stop in and choose the flowers himself. Getting a second bouquet for Nellie’s roommate crossed his mind.

  When it was his turn at the counter, the young woman, barely out of her teens, smiled. “How can I help you?”

  “Hi”—Tanner glanced at her nametag—“Daisy. I bet lots of people ask you if that’s your real name.”

  “My parents own this place.”

  “Ahh, that makes sense. I need some advice. I want to get two bouquets. One is a thank you for my sister. The other one is for a friend. It’s too soon for red roses, but I don’t want to get her the same thing I get my sister.”

  The clerk nodded. “Roses or some other type of flower?”

  “Roses.”

  “What about yellow for your sister and maybe some of these for your friend.” She led him to a bucket filled with orange roses, the tips of the petals the color of an orange flame.

  He tried to imagine Livvy’s reaction. “I like those. Roses have meaning or something, don’t they? The colors I mean.”

  “They do.”

  “What does orange mean?”

  “Desire, enthusiasm, passion.”

  “Perfect.”

  She wrapped the bouquets in brown paper and rang him up. “I hope your friend loves them.”

  “Me too.” As Tanner hurried out the door an idea struck him. In the truck, he texted Livvy: I’m bringing dessert.

  He stopped at the bakery on the way home and picked up what he knew would mean something to her. Looking at the yellow roses, he remembered the bit of trivia she’d dropped at dinner the night he bought her pie.

  At Nellie’s, he knocked but didn’t wait for an answer. Pushing open the door, he called out, “Hello.”

  “In the kitchen.” Coop’s boomi
ng voice bounced off the walls.

  Eagerly anticipating Livvy’s expression, Tanner strolled into the kitchen, a bouquet on each arm. “Smells good in here.”

  Livvy didn’t turn around. “It’s almost ready.”

  Nellie pointed at the roses and raised her eyebrows.

  “For two of my favorite ladies.” Tanner handed her the yellow bouquet.

  Coop shook his head. “You’re trying to make me look bad, aren’t you?”

  “I’m just trying to be nice.” Tanner waited for Livvy to turn around.

  “What did you bring for—” She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the roses.

  “These are for you.”

  Her brown eyes sparkled with what Tanner hoped was delight. “Thank you.” She buried her nose in the bouquet. “I haven’t—they’re just . . . absolutely gorgeous. I love the color.”

  “I’ll be right back. I need to grab the dessert from the truck.” He hurried out, pleased with how she’d reacted to the flowers.

  When he walked back in carrying the white bakery box, she and Nellie were arranging the bouquets in vases.

  “Where should I put this?” Tanner walked over to Livvy.

  She lifted the lid, and her eyes widened. “You remembered.”

  “What did you get?” Coop peeked over Livvy’s shoulder. “Yum. Lemon meringue.”

  Tanner nodded. “I remembered.”

  “Put it in the fridge.” She rested her fingers on his hand a moment before pulling away.

  “Let’s eat.” Nellie picked up the serving bowl and carried it to the table.

  He sat down next to Livvy after tucking the pie safely on a shelf. “Maybe after dinner, we can go watch a movie at my place.”

  “I’d like that.” She glanced at her roses.

  His heart soared. Agreeing to a movie at his place meant the relationship was moving in the right direction.

  “That’d be fun. I’m thinking an action movie, maybe a comedy.” Coop served himself a heaping portion.

  Nellie laughed. “I don’t think he was inviting us.”

  He grinned, finding himself funny even when no one else did.

  During dinner, Nellie talked about the wedding. Excited, she rambled about every little detail. Coop seemed just as pleased. Tanner couldn’t have chosen anyone better for his sister.

  The wedding would be a more relaxed day without Grandfather in attendance. Tanner chided himself for even thinking that, but it was true.

  Livvy listened, only occasionally adding a comment or observation. She fit so naturally in his life, but he needed to be careful. Chasing her off by being too eager would be devastating.

  After dinner and a huge slice of dessert, Nellie dragged Coop out of the kitchen, and Tanner helped Livvy with the dishes.

  “I’m headed out of town tomorrow.” He’d waited to tell her, and when he did, he couldn’t think of a way to lead into it, so he dropped the news without preamble.

  She handed him the serving bowl to dry. “Where are you going?”

  “Dallas. I’ll be gone a week.” He studied her expression. “I wish I could postpone the trip, but I need to go.”

  She brushed against him as she moved toward the table. “You have a business to run.”

  Tanner could already tell that keeping the relationship in the friend zone was going to be a monumental task. “What movie should we watch?”

  “You can choose.” She wiped off her hands.

  He yanked out his phone and searched for good first date movies. It wasn’t technically a date, but that was a minor point. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”

  “I love Audrey Hepburn.”

  “Great. You ready?”

  “I think so. Let me grab my shoes.”

  Tanner texted Milo, confirming the morning schedule: You still able to pick me up at nine? Drive me to the airport? Flight leaves at noon. I don’t want to be rushed.

  Milo responded right away: I’ll be there.

  Chapter 22

  Livvy stopped herself from tapping her foot as she waited for Tanner to unlock the front door. She’d been so focused on avoiding him, she hadn’t stopped to wonder what his house looked like, how it was decorated.

  Standing outside his door, she couldn’t think about anything else.

  He pushed open the door. “Ladies first.”

  She stepped in, admiring the house. Wood floors and soft beige walls gave the house a feeling of warmth. In the living room, a leather sectional sat in front of a large television. From her vantage point, all the furniture in view was tasteful and a tad masculine.

  “You have a nice place. How long have you lived here?”

  “Five years.” He perched on the arm of the couch, watching her. “Want the grand tour?”

  She hoped he’d offer. “Yes, please.”

  He started the tour in the galley-style kitchen.

  She thought she might be in love. Nellie’s kitchen was great, but his was a step above. Livvy ran her fingers along the granite counter, admiring everything about the room. “Do you cook?”

  “Only a little. Want to give me lessons?” He walked up behind her.

  He stood close but didn’t touch her. She turned around and found herself staring at his chest, inhaling his cologne.

  She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Sure. I mean, I’m not an expert, but I can teach you what I know.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  Livvy held her breath as he leaned close and reached toward her. Like a dork, she closed her eyes, waiting.

  His breath tickled her ear, and a cabinet door opened behind her. “I’ll make popcorn for the movie.”

  She opened her eyes, not at all surprised to see that twinkle. “Do you know how to make it? Or will this be your first lesson?”

  “The air popper is pretty easy to use, but I’d love a lesson.” The man made her pulse race.

  She hadn’t seen the air popper and felt silly for suggesting he needed a lesson. “Air popped is fine. We’ll do a lesson another night.” She patted his chest and shifted around him. Standing close to him did funny things to her heart rate.

  Tanner made popcorn. With it all in one large bowl, he guaranteed that they’d sit near each other, but Livvy didn’t have a problem with that.

  She followed him to the couch, and it was a good thing he was holding the popcorn. Her stuffed elephant sat on his sofa.

  “You found Snuffy. I thought I’d lost him.” She scooped up her prized companion. “My dad gave him to me many years ago.”

  Tanner set the popcorn bowl on the ottoman. “Then it’s a good thing I saved him for you.”

  She sat at the end of the sofa, and he took a seat next to her, not touching her, but two sheets of paper might not have fit between them.

  He punched buttons on the remote, cueing up the movie. “Truth or dare?”

  “Truth.” She answered without giving much thought to the choice.

  “Why did you leave without letting me know? Why did you avoid me?”

  She couldn’t answer those questions. “That was two questions, and I meant dare.”

  “Is it okay if I call you while I’m out of town?”

  “You daring me to let you?”

  “Yes. You did choose dare.”

  “Start the movie. I’ll think about it.” She wanted him to call her. Long conversations on the phone would be much safer than sharing popcorn on his couch, that is, if she wanted to keep things in the friend zone.

  He pressed play and kicked his feet up onto the oversized ottoman.

  As the movie started, she glanced at him. “Want me to drive you to the airport in the morning? I don’t have class tomorrow.”

  “That’d be great.”

  “Good. And yes. You can call me.”

  He tapped out a message on his phone. “I’m letting Milo know that I got a better offer.”

  Livvy pulled up to the curb, reluctant to see him go. “Have a good week.”

  He leaned closer but didn’t k
iss her. “I’ll call you tonight. And thanks for driving my car while I’m gone.”

  “Bye.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Friends do that, right? She’d have to give that more thought.

  He jumped out of the car, grabbed his bags, and strode into the airport.

  Livvy missed him already.

  She desperately needed a cup of tea, so she texted Verbena: Have time to talk?

  Verbena responded a moment later: I’ll put on the kettle.

  Livvy drove back to the house, both excited and conflicted. The week would give her time to sort out her feelings, but she liked Tanner. There was no denying it. The question was whether she could push her fear aside and give the relationship a chance.

  Verbena greeted Livvy at the door. “I want to hear everything. The tea is waiting. Come into the kitchen.”

  The update waited until they were both settled at the table.

  Livvy cradled her mug, enjoying the aroma of her tea. “So, he saw me, and we talked.”

  “And? You were together the next day, too.” Verbena clapped her hands.

  “Yes. We are friends. I know he hopes for more than that, but I’m so nervous.” Livvy leaned closer and whispered even though no one else was home. “I think I told you that he’s rich, but he’s actually really, really rich.”

  “Not many women consider that a problem.” Verbena giggled.

  “I don’t fit in. I don’t know how to live . . . like that.”

  Verbena spread her arms out. “This house is too big. If I were still young, it would be great for hide and seek, but for an old woman and her son, it’s too much. I understand completely.” She tapped the table. “You know why I live here?”

  “Why?”

  “Because I love my son.” Verbena had a way of turning the tables on Livvy’s logic.

  Chapter 23

  After a long day of meetings and negotiations, Tanner trudged into the hotel. He checked in and rode the elevator up to the fifth floor. Open and spacious, the room would work well for his week in Dallas.

  He dropped his bags next to the bed and yanked off his tie. He wanted two things: to eat and to talk to Livvy. After ordering room service, he kicked off his shoes and called her.