Next Door to the Billionaire

by Remi Carrington

  “What did you tell her to make her agree to keeping the rent money a secret from me?”

  “I didn’t say anything. She doesn’t know it was me. I got her address when we went by there that day. Milo has a friend that works with a local charity. I arranged monthly payments for the rent and had that guy contact your mom. I’m not sure what he told her, but he kept my name out of it.”

  “She didn’t ask you? You didn’t give her money?”

  “That would have violated way too many cannots.”

  Livvy ran her finger down the front of his shirt. “That rain better let up.”

  He shifted her into his lap. “Are we okay?”

  “I’m not your charity case?”

  “No. Unless you mean charity as in love, then yes.”

  She rolled her eyes and stifled a giggle.

  “I love that you laugh when I’m not even funny.”

  “I love a lot of things about you, Tanner.”

  “Tomorrow, I’ll take you downtown and show you my building and my office.” He wanted her to see his world—all of it. “That way you’ll know where it is, so you can come have lunch with me.” He kissed the smile that spread across her face.

  Tanner unlocked the door of his parents’ house and let Livvy walk in first. Expecting a dark and silent house, they jumped when voices sounded from the kitchen.

  “Tanner? Livvy?” Mom ran out to the living room, her robe flapping behind her.

  Dad followed. “Glad y’all made it back. We were just heading to bed.” He tugged on Mom’s sleeve.

  “I’m so sorry we kept you up.” Livvy seemed horrified.

  Tanner clasped her hand. “It’s two in the morning. I thought for sure you’d be in bed.”

  “Oh, you didn’t.” Mom shook her head. “Mostly it was the storm that kept us up.”

  “Curiosity is more like it.” Dad laughed. “Any other questions, dearest?”

  Mom rolled her eyes. “Livvy, is everything okay? Having Angela show up tonight was unfortunate. I’m not even sure what she wanted.”

  “I’m fine.” Livvy glanced up at Tanner. “Better than fine now that I know your son loves me. I’m rather fond of him, too.”

  Mom wrapped Livvy in a hug. “I’m so glad he finally told you.”

  Livvy raised her eyebrows. “Finally?”

  “That is a conversation for another day—or at least during daylight.” Dad grabbed Mom’s hand and started down the hall. “Goodnight.”

  Mom grinned. “We can talk in the morning.”

  Tanner led Livvy down the hall and stopped outside Nellie’s room. He didn’t want the night to end. Worried that sleep would break whatever magic spell had sparked that night, he leaned against the wall, still holding her hand. “I should say goodnight, but I don’t want to.”

  She let go of his hand and slipped her arms around his neck. “You need sleep, and my feelings won’t change overnight. Actually, they might. It’s possible that by morning, I might love you more.”

  After a lingering kiss, she pulled away and closed herself in Nellie’s room.

  Staring at the door, he sighed. The hope that he’d have a fiancée by the time Nellie and Coop returned from their honeymoon didn’t seem out of reach.

  Chapter 30

  The sun had been up several hours when Livvy opened her eyes. She reached for her phone and found a text from Tanner: Love you.

  Love you more. And she did.

  The more she thought about it and dreamed about it, the more she loved him. And she didn’t want to keep him separate from her world.

  She texted her mom: We should have dinner soon. I know you’ve met Tanner, but now that we’re dating, I thought it would be nice to get together again.

  Her mother loved the idea. Yes! He’s so handsome. I’m happy for you.

  Livvy still wasn’t sure if she wanted to disclose how rich Tanner was, but she could discuss that with him. Waiting to let her mother know would probably be the wiser option, waiting at least until maybe he asked Livvy a certain question.

  Before getting out of bed, she texted Verbena: He loves me.

  Smiling emojis popped up in response.

  She couldn’t wait to recount the details. Spending today with Tanner, but we’ll have tea soon!

  Can’t wait. Verbena followed her message with a heart.

  After a quick shower, Livvy twisted her wet hair into a knot and wandered out to the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee and snagged a cookie out of the jar.

  While she sipped her coffee, Ruthie walked in. “Good morning.”

  “Morning. I am sorry about last night. I never intended to keep y’all up.” Livvy was a bit embarrassed that Tanner’s parents had been drawn into the drama.

  Ruthie patted the table. “Forgiven. The guys went to pick up the truck from the cabin.”

  “I told Tanner that I could drive home separately, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”

  “You love him?”

  The word exploded in Livvy’s chest. “I do love him. Talking with him last night alleviated most of my fears about our relationship.”

  “Jeff and I had been dating only a few weeks when it was clear my mom wouldn’t be around much longer. She and I sat out on our back patio one afternoon only a few days before she died. That day, I promised her two things: that I wouldn’t cut my father out of my life and that I wouldn’t raise my children to be like him.”

  Livvy reached out and took Ruthie’s hand. “Both Tanner and Nellie are amazing people.”

  Ruthie wiped at tears. “Jeff knew marrying me wouldn’t be easy. My father was not kind to him. In public, he put on a good face, but Jeff stuck around despite all the ugliness. I love that man.”

  “I can tell.” It was Livvy’s turn to wipe away tears.

  “When I accepted Jeff’s proposal, my father offered him a job. I knew that it was my father’s way of trying to exert control. Jeff declined it, which was the best decision he ever made for our family. I don’t even know why I launched into this story.”

  “Maybe so that I would know that no relationship is without fears, but people that love each other can work through anything.” Livvy let the words sink in. “It was hard to believe that Tanner could love me.”

  “He does.”

  “I know that now.” She didn’t want to explain how Tanner had offered to give up all his money. “How did you meet Mr. Davis?”

  Ruthie’s grin promised a great story. “He took a summer job as a pool guy. I made sure I was at my friend’s house every day when he showed up, and I convinced my mom to hire him to maintain our pool.”

  “You married the pool guy?”

  “I did.”

  Marrying the waitress would also be a great how-we-met story. Livvy reined in those thoughts, trying not to get her hopes up.

  The back door opened, and Tanner and his dad stepped in, laughing.

  “Should we all go grab lunch?” Ruthie glanced from Livvy to Tanner.

  He shook his head. “Livvy and I have plans. I figured Sunday would be a good day to give her a tour of the office.”

  “Y’all have fun.” Jeffrey leaned down and kissed Ruthie’s cheek. “I’m headed out back. The pool needs cleaning.”

  Ruthie jumped up and caught his hand. “I’ll help.”

  Livvy giggled and kissed a red-faced Tanner. “Give me a few minutes to get ready.”

  “They can be really embarrassing.” He shook his head.

  “I think they’re great.”

  Livvy stared out the window as Tanner navigated the downtown streets, taking in the sights and sounds. Tall buildings loomed above them, dotted between old buildings.

  He turned into a parking garage and wound his way to the second level before pulling into a reserved spot. “I’m keeping the other reserved spot that belonged to my grandfather, so when you come and visit me, you can park there.” He pointed to the next space.

  “Getting a personal tour from the big boss makes me feel special.�
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  “I’m glad.” After a quick kiss, he caught her hand and led her down the stairs and out to the street. “It’s not far. Just up the block a bit. That way is the Riverwalk. Thought we could wander down for lunch after the exclusive tour.”

  “I haven’t been down there in ages.”

  Tanner waved a badge in front of a small black box and pulled open a glass door.

  They stepped into a large open lobby. She could see up to the balcony of the second floor. The outside walls, all made of tinted glass, offered a view of the street. The whole scene felt like something out of a movie.

  “Tanner, this is gorgeous.”

  The security guard clearly hadn’t expected Tanner to show up. “Hello, Mr. Davis.” He hurried over to meet them. “Headed up to the top floor?”

  “I’m giving my girlfriend the grand tour. Bob, this is Livvy.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Bob extended his hand.

  Livvy loved that he had a firm handshake. “Thanks.” She nodded toward Tanner. “Is he a good boss?”

  “The best I’ve ever worked for.” Bob glanced back at the security desk as the phone rang. “Let me know if you need anything. Not many people in the office today.”

  “Thanks.” Tanner showed her around the bottom floor, which was mostly the lobby, before taking the elevator up to the second floor. “That hall leads to accounting. Out here is an eating area, snack machines, that sort of stuff.” He motioned to the balcony.

  Livvy walked to the edge and looked down. Amazed, she let it sink in that the entire building belonged to Tanner. When she turned back around, storm clouds hovered in his expression.

  He stuck his phone in his pocket and forced a smile. “Ready for the rest of the tour?”

  Livvy slipped her arms around his waist. “What’s wrong?”

  “Angela texted again.”

  She didn’t worry that Tanner was being swayed, but she wondered what him had so upset. “May I read it?”

  He handed her the phone, and she read the message.

  Tanner, please just like the post. I get that there was never romance, but I’m getting blamed for letting it fall apart. Please.

  Livvy almost felt sorry for the woman. “Are you going to respond?”

  “And say what? I’m not going to go along with her charade. I’m not interested in playing the hero and saving her from blame.” Guilt and strain etched lines in his forehead. “I can’t.”

  Livvy rested her head on his chest. “Maybe you should tell her that.”

  “I should probably answer her. I can’t believe she’s been keeping up the façade all this time. It’s been weeks.” Tanner stared at his phone. “Mind if I call her really quick?”

  “That’s fine.” Livvy wrestled with jealousy she had no reason to feel.

  He wrapped an arm around her as he held the phone to his ear. “Hey, it’s Tanner. . . . Listen, no. I’m not going to pretend.” He pulled the phone back from his ear as high-pitched yelling echoed from the other side. “I can’t swoop in and marry you just to make your dad happy. . . . I won’t. If you love Daryl, run away with him. . . . Never mind how I know about Daryl. . . . Leave her out of this. Go live your life, Angela. I’m not going to be part of it.” He ended the call and tucked the phone in his pocket.

  “She didn’t take that well.”

  “No, but I’ve said all I can say. Come on, I have the rest of my building to show you.”

  Livvy tugged him closer. “We can do this another day.”

  “I’m okay, and I really want you to see everything.”

  They walked hand in hand to the elevators.

  “I’m still a wee bit terrified of all the money, but the fact you own all this is seriously impressive. If I’d had any clue when you showed up at the diner, I would never have offered to keep you company, let alone follow you to the middle of nowhere.” When the elevator doors closed, she stretched up and kissed him. “But I’m glad things worked out like they did.”

  He hugged her. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Helping me see what’s important.”

  Until that moment, Livvy felt like she’d been the only one who’d been helped in the relationship.

  Tanner stopped at every floor, but they didn’t stray far from the elevator until they reached the top. She followed him down the hall into a large corner office.

  “I may move in here at some point, but it’s too soon. This was Grandfather’s office.”

  A large open, modern-looking office wasn’t what Livvy had expected.

  “Mine is this way.” He led her down a hall and opened the door to another corner office.

  Light streamed in the windows that took up two walls. A little smaller than the other corner office—but almost as large as the entire cabin, Tanner’s office had a warmth the other lacked. Bathed in sunlight, the room made her smile. Wooden bookshelves covered the wall behind the desk, a massive, sturdy-looking one that was stained a dark walnut. Papers covered the top in stacks, and a laptop lay almost hidden in the middle.

  “I like this one better.” Livvy wandered to the shelves and ran her finger along the titles. “This office suits you.”

  “I like it.”

  The view from his window took her breath away. “You can see for miles from up here. I can see the Riverwalk and everything.”

  “Which reminds me, I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.” He held out his hand.

  She grabbed it and kissed his cheek. “I like your world.”

  After all her hesitation, he needed to know that she accepted all of it. And she did.

  After exiting the building, they crossed the street and headed to the stone staircase. Tanner glanced back at the building as they walked down the steps to the Riverwalk. “Forget something?”

  “Oh, no. Just looking around.”

  A boat full of tourist floated by, snapping photos, and Livvy waved. “Look, Tanner! A river taxi.”

  “I haven’t been on one of those in a very long time. We should do that one night—maybe even the dinner cruise.”

  “I’d love that.”

  Hand in hand, they strolled along the walkway. Ducks bobbed in the water near the edge. Birds chirped from their perches in the trees. Dappled sunlight painted the sidewalk. Everything was picturesque, the perfect place for a romantic excursion with the one she loved.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” Tanner’s voice startled her.

  “I was thinking about how pretty and romantic it is.”

  “At Christmas, they have it all lit up.”

  They stopped in front of a Mexican restaurant, and the hostess smiled. “Table for two?”

  “Yes, please.” Tanner pressed his hand to the small of Livvy’s back as they followed the hostess to a table.

  After they ordered, when he laid his hand open on the table, Livvy slipped her fingers into his palm.

  “Am I really the only one that’s been to your cabin?” After Nellie had spilled the secret, Livvy had kept it to herself, mostly.

  “Coop’s been there to come get me when I was stranded. Dad came once for the same reason.”

  “Besides that.”

  “Only you.” His thumb moved back and forth along her hand.

  “Why did you need a hideaway?” Livvy sipped her tea.

  “I like what I do, but working for my grandfather brought with it a bit of stress. I don’t want you to think he was a horrible person, but he had his flaws. I kept the cabin as a means of escape from the money-is-everything life that he lived.”

  “And I crashed your place.” She had no regrets about it and was pretty sure he didn’t either.

  “You and that tree.” He flashed his I’m-so-funny-grin. “Now that classes are over and Nellie isn’t around to make messes for you to clean up, what are you going to do with yourself?”

  “Not sure. I thought about finding a part-time job, but I haven’t looked for one yet. I could pick up a few shifts at the diner.”

  “Or yo
u could hang out by my pool all day and make me dinner in the evening.”

  “The pool sounds tempting, and I’ll make you dinner anytime you want.”

  “Every night works, but I can cook some of the time. After you give me lessons.”

  Two months of living next door and having dinner together every night sounded like a small slice of heaven.

  “I’m thinking about looking for an apartment. I love Nellie, and Coop is great. But I have no desire to live with newlyweds.”

  “I can understand that.” He leaned back as the waitress walked up with food. “I’m happy to tag along when you go looking.”

  “I’d like that.” She grinned for his benefit, watching the steam rising off her enchiladas.

  “What’s funny?”

  “You’re sweet.”

  “Just don’t tell anyone.” The twinkle in his eye set her heart racing.

  Chapter 31

  Tanner followed Livvy through the apartment a second time. “It’s nice. And it’s not too far from me.”

  “I’m glad I found a place I like. Six-month lease or a year? What do you think?”

  “If you go with six months, you can always extend.” He chose his words carefully, not wanting to sway her one way or the other.

  Livvy checked her phone. “I need to hurry. I have to be at the diner soon. And you need to get back to the office.”

  “What time do you get off?”

  “Eleven.”

  He planned to have a late dinner at the diner. “We still on for lunch tomorrow?”

  She kissed him. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  After an hour in a second meeting with Lance Withers, Tanner had the strong impression that Angela hadn’t given up the charade. It had been weeks since Tanner had spoken with her. How had she managed to convince her father the relationship wasn’t over?

  Tanner glanced at the clock, anticipating Livvy’s arrival. “Well, Lance, let me pore over these numbers, think it over, and I’ll get back to you in a few days.” He wasn’t sure the partnership was the great business connection his grandfather had insisted it would be.