Next Door to the Billionaire

by Remi Carrington

  “That’s a great idea. Then we’ll head back to my place—you can stay in one of the guest rooms if you don’t want to stay at Nellie’s—and we can talk about your dream wedding, where you want to go on a honeymoon, and where you want to live after the wedding.”

  Delight swirled in those chocolate pools. “We are definitely living at your house.”

  Once his parents were seated and Nellie and Coop were sharing the overstuffed chair, Tanner announced, “Grab your calendars. We want to choose a date.”

  Mom clapped. “Another wedding! How long of an engagement were you thinking?”

  Livvy turned her gaze to Nellie. “I want you as my maid of honor. What’s the timeframe to make that work?”

  “Timeframe?” Tanner looked at Coop, who was grinning like a cat.

  “Three to four months would be great, after that, I run the risk of waddling.” Nellie leaned her head on Coop’s shoulder.

  “You mean . . .” Tanner had trouble believing what he was hearing. “How? Really? You’ve only been gone—”

  “Well, see, Tanner. There is this pretty little flower. And there is a hunky bumble bee—” Coop winced when Nellie poked him in the ribs and then broke out in laughter.

  Everyone else joined in, but Livvy kept hers to a small giggle.

  “Thanks so much, Coop.” Tanner felt his cheeks burning and hoped his beard hid most of his embarrassment. “Back to setting a date.”

  After comparing calendars, they chose a date three months away. Tanner could hardly wait.

  Tanner sat at Nellie’s kitchen table, waiting as Livvy packed a bag. She was probably spending more time talking to Nellie than she was packing, but Tanner would wait.

  “Thanks for the heads up.” Coop popped the top on a longneck and sat down across the table. “Nellie would’ve been upset if we hadn’t been here.”

  “You’re welcome. I needed to keep it a surprise, so I only told you that I bought a ring. I figured you’d read between the lines when I mentioned we might live stream.”

  “Yeah. I’m happy for you, Tanner.”

  Tanner thought back to when Coop had given him advice on dating when they were standing around this same table. “I can’t imagine life without her.”

  “That’s why she’s perfect for you.” Coop leaned forward and dropped his voice to a whisper. “And she doesn’t do that weird air kiss thing. Just sayin’.”

  Tanner laughed. “Very true.”

  Livvy appeared in the doorway, holding her small bag. “I’m ready.”

  He gave her a quick kiss before picking it up. “Let’s go.”

  After getting the guest room set up, Tanner poured them each a glass of wine, and they snuggled on the couch.

  “As for the wedding, you can have whatever you want. Seriously. Want me to build a butterfly house so that hundreds of them flutter around while we say our vows? Done. Want me to fly all our friends and family to an island paradise or to an ancient castle? Name it, and I’ll make it happen.”

  “Tanner, I don’t need anything extravagant. I just want you.” Her gaze fell to his hands as she gripped them. “And I want to spend our first night in the cabin. Is that okay with you?”

  His heart thudded in double-time. “That sounds perfect. Big or small wedding?”

  “Smaller, but if you need to invite people from the company, I’m fine with that.”

  “Honeymoon?”

  “Absolutely.” She grinned. “I’d love to visit England and Ireland.”

  “I can’t wait to show you the whole world, Livvy.”

  “What about my mom?”

  “We can bring her along if you want, but maybe not on the honeymoon.”

  She swatted his arm. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know.” He chuckled. “I’ll handle it however you want, but keeping our wealth a secret will be very difficult. I could maybe set up a small trust.”

  “I don’t know what I want. Not yet, but I love you for offering that.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m afraid if I go to bed, when I wake up, I’ll discover all this is just an amazing dream.”

  “I can’t wait until you wake up next to me.” He kissed the blush on her cheek, hoping the three months would pass quickly.

  Chapter 34

  Livvy stared at her reflection in the mirror as her mom fiddled with the veil.

  “You are beautiful, Livvy dear. He is one lucky guy.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “I need to go grab my seat.” Mom headed out of the room.

  Nellie poked her head in. “Hang tight. We are running a minute or two behind. The flower girl had to run to the restroom.”

  Livvy fought the urge to peek. “How’s Tanner?”

  “A tad pale but grinning from ear to ear.” Nellie pulled Livvy into an almost-crushing hug. “I’m glad the sisters part came true.”

  “Me too. I can’t wait to be an aunt!”

  Music started, and Milo’s girls skipped through the double doors, tossing orange rose petals as they went.

  Livvy stood outside the doors, waiting for them to open again.

  Mr. Davis slipped up beside her. “Your dad would be so proud of you.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “I think he is proud of you.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged his neck, careful not to crush her bouquet. “And I appreciate you being his stand-in.”

  “It is an honor to give you away, Livvy.” He held out his arm as the music changed.

  The doors opened, and Livvy pulled in a deep breath. She needed enough air to last her until she made it to Tanner because once she saw him, she wouldn’t remember to breathe.

  Matching her pace to Jeffrey’s, she focused on her tall, dark, and handsome, who stood smiling at the altar.

  His eyes sparkled brighter than a starry sky on a clear, dark night. She smiled back and reminded herself not to run.

  The closer she got to him, the faster her heart pounded. Once she slipped her hand in his, the minister’s words became a blur.

  But she’d never forget the moment Tanner smiled down at her and said, “I do.”

  Chapter 35

  Tanner pushed open the cabin door and swept Livvy into his arms. He gathered up the layers of her dress, so he wouldn’t drag any part of the wedding gown on the ground. “Mrs. Davis, our cabin awaits.”

  Kissing him, she made it impossible to see. He carried her across the room and put her down on the bed.

  After shedding his jacket, he climbed up next to her. “I have a surprise for you.”

  Desire danced in her brown eyes. “I can’t wait.”

  He loved her more every minute. “I got you something.”

  “Oh, Tanner.” She dotted kisses on his face.

  “This is for you.” He handed her a small box wrapped in foil paper.

  She tore away the paper and opened the box. “This is beautiful and huge.” She picked up the necklace, and the diamond pendant scattered pin pricks of light as it dangled from the chain.

  “So that you’ll always know that my heart belongs to you.”

  Livvy clutched it to her chest. “This is from . . .?”

  “The jewelry store. I sold the other ring.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let me help you get that on.”

  She fingered the three-carat diamond, and her smile made his heart melt. “I love it.”

  “And now that we have that on, let me help you get that dress off.”

  She turned around and pulled her hair over her shoulder, giving him access to the small pearl buttons. “What? You don’t want me to change in the bathroom?”

  “And I definitely don’t want to sleep on the couch.”

  Epilogue

  Livvy parked in the reserved spot and made her way down the sidewalk.

  When she stepped into the lobby, Bob waved and hurried toward her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Davis.”

  “Bob, you can call me Livvy.”

  He chuckled. “But I like the way Mrs. Davis sounds.”


  “Me too.” She gave him a quick hug before getting on the elevator.

  When the doors opened on the top floor, Livvy froze. Lance Withers stood just outside the elevator, shaking hands with Tanner.

  The smile on Tanner’s face relaxed her. He didn’t seem the least bit upset.

  She eased up next to him and nodded to Mr. Withers. “Hello.”

  “Hello. Good to see you both again.” He stepped onto the elevator, and the doors closed.

  Livvy couldn’t imagine why he would be there. “That’s a surprise.” She followed Tanner into his office.

  He closed the door. “He called last week and wanted to meet.”

  “And?”

  “We’ll be doing business together. I’ll be working closely with his newest junior vice president.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Daryl.” Tanner opened his arms. “To what do I owe this surprise visit?”

  “If you’re busy, I can come back another time.” She made the offer knowing he wouldn’t ask her to leave.

  “Everyone else can wait. Want to go grab a cup of coffee? It’s a little late for lunch.”

  “I wanted to get your opinion on an idea.”

  He shot her a puzzled look and pointed to the sofa. “Okay?”

  They sat side by side, and Livvy stared at her hands, ordering her thoughts.

  Worry creased in Tanner’s face. “Liv, is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine.” She smiled to set his mind at ease. “So, I finish classes soon.”

  “I’m fine if you want to work as a radiology tech. I’ve told you that. I’ll support whatever you want to do.”

  “If I want to do something different, that’s okay?”

  “Of course. You can work as Nellie’s chef or do nothing all day.”

  “I’d get bored doing nothing, and I found Nellie a new cook. She might be a better cook than I am.”

  “I doubt that, but tell me about your idea.”

  “I want to start a charity—or partner with one if there is already something like this—one that helps the children of single parents.” She promised herself she wouldn’t cry, and she’d done really well until she tried to get out the next part. “I thought we could provide bikes for kids, make sure they have gifts at Christmas, groceries at Thanksgiving—that sort of thing. What do you think?”

  “I love that idea. And maybe we could help single parents with rent and mortgages when they need it.”

  “Yes. So we can start something like that?”

  “Absolutely. And I have a great idea of someone we can bring on board to help with it—Milo.”

  “Your accomplice?”

  “He’s a single dad of two little girls. He drives because of the flexible schedule, but I think the charity idea is right up his alley. Not many people know this part, but he’s loaded.”

  “Why does he work as a chauffeur?”

  “Milo is an interesting character. He owns the business.”

  “I’d love it if he wanted to help.” Livvy shifted into Tanner’s lap.

  “Can I just tell you how happy it makes me that you are doing this? It’s one thing to write checks to organizations, but time and effort mean so much.”

  She was learning to accept that there were huge piles of money at her disposal and that with it, she could make a real difference in peoples’ lives. “It was either that or lay by the pool all day.”

  He ran a finger down the front of her dress. “Then I’d have trouble making it to the office.”

  Livvy gave him a quick kiss before standing up to leave. “I was thinking we should have dinner at the cabin tonight.”

  A grin spread across his face, and he jumped up. “I’ll drive.”

  Check out the next book in the Bluebonnets & Billionaires series!

  Charmed by the Billionaire

  Read on for an excerpt!

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  Charmed by the Billionaire - Excerpt

  Chapter 1

  Austin ended the conference call and leaned back in his office chair. “That went well.”

  “I expected as much.” Marv, Austin’s long-time partner, crossed his arms. “Did you get my note about the event?”

  “I hate attending that kind of stuff. You know that.” Austin didn’t have the time to hunt down a date, and he wasn’t sure he could find one that was interesting but not after his money.

  Marv gave Austin a disappointed-dad look. Even though Marv had been grey nearly two decades, the fit CFO kept up appearances and showed up at events, especially ones where venture capitalists congregated. He often urged Austin to do the same. “It would help if you made a point to attend. Being seen is good for business.”

  “All right.” Austin made himself a note to scour the dating app, though even before he started, it felt like a bother.

  “My daughter’s about your age if you want me to set you up.” Marv had offered before, multiple times, which annoyed Austin.

  He let sarcasm get the better of him. “My fiancée wouldn’t appreciate that.” He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth.

  Marv lit up like a Christmas tree set ablaze. “You sure know how to keep secrets.”

  “It was a joke.” Austin shook his head. He spent way too much time at the office to even think about a romantic relationship.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. When’s the big day?” Was Marv serious? He had to be joking.

  Austin couldn’t resist making it more unbelievable. “Thinking in a month.”

  Such an outlandish claim would surely make Marv realize Austin was trying to be funny.

  Marv either did a great job of keeping up the act or he’d lost his mind. “I’m happy for you, Austin. And I understand why you are keeping it quiet, but I’d love to be there.”

  Austin owned a company and held a spot on the shortlist of billionaires under thirty-five, and he couldn’t tell if his CFO was joking. That didn’t bode well for future business dealings.

  Choosing to ignore the continued joke, Austin changed the subject. “Good. Yeah. Well, send me the info about Fautech. I’m curious what the Bobs had to say about it.”

  “Will do. And congrats on the upcoming nuptials!” Marv slid a finger across his lips.

  Austin shook his head as he walked back to his office. Marv knew it was a joke and was simply teasing, taking it too far. Austin didn’t have time to be bothered.

  Before getting back to work, he wandered out to his assistant’s desk. “Daphne, I need you to get me two tickets to whatever gala Marv’s been talking about.”

  “Did you say two?” Her eyebrows shot up, and she leaned back in her chair, nearly tipping it over.

  “Yes, more than one and less than three.” He needed to be more careful with the sarcasm.

  “Marv already has his tickets.” She bit back a smile.

  “They are for me. And please book me dinner reservations for that same night some place close to the hotel.”

  She clapped before picking up her pen. “Someone special?”

  Austin shrugged. “Don’t know yet.”

  Her grin was not the response he expected, but asking about it only meant he’d be subjected to the answer.

  Austin set his backpack down near the entry table. “Mom, I’m home. Want me to order dinner or call a chef?”

  “Dinners just about ready. Rich or not, I can still cook.” Mom wiped her hands on her apron. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

  “For what?” Austin grabbed a chilled bottle of sparkling water and twisted off the cap.

  “When do I get to meet your fiancée?”

  Lemon-infused water droplets landed on the floor. “Wha—how?”

  Mom laughed and handed him a rag. “Marv called.”

  “Crap.”

  “He thought it was quite funny.”

  “I’m sure he did. Meanwhile, I still have to find a date for Saturday.”

/>   “Want me to find you a date?”

  “Very funny.”

  “Oh, but Austin, I’m serious. Grab plates and silverware.”

  Austin obeyed and considered her offer. He did need a date. “I’ll give you three days.”

  He’d get more work done if he didn’t have to spend the week trying to find a suitable companion, and his mother knew what he liked and didn’t like.

  “Will you marry her?” Mom sat in the chair he pulled out. His mother was on a never-ending quest to marry him off.

  “Oh, Mom.” He laughed and shook his head.

  “But, you’ll think about it?”

  “Maybe.” Non-committal, that word was the easiest way to end that line of questioning.

  “Dallas and Victoria are coming to visit in a few weeks. I told them we had plenty of room.” His mom worked at keeping the family connected. She’d moved in with him shortly after his father died a few months before.

  It helped make Austin feel closer to family and evenings less lonely.

  “That’s fine. Families too?”

  “Yep. They want to be here for the wedding.” Laughter echoed in the kitchen.

  “You can drop the joke.”

  “I thought a backyard ceremony would be nice.”

  “Seriously, Mom, I’m not getting married.”

  “You gave me three days, and you said maybe.” She sounded giddy.

  “To find me a date . . . only a date.”

  Charmed by the Billionaire - Excerpt

  Chapter 2

  Zoe grabbed her phone before the ringing stopped. “Hey, Rachel.”

  “You can’t stay gone forever.” Her sister was probably right.

  “I know. I know. This escape has cost me way too much already. At the end of the week, I’m coming home, but I’m not looking forward to it.”

  “He’s not worth being upset. You broke up. No big deal.”

  Zoe tempered her anger before responding. “First of all, we were engaged. He’d gotten down on one knee and promised me the moon. Then, he broke up with me via email, and before I’d even gotten a chance to read it, he was proposing to someone else in the town square.” Feeling the heartbreak of Peter’s betrayal and desperate to get out of her small town, she’d left and driven to San Antonio.