Somewhat an understandable excuse, even if she didn’t approve. She stopped moving and faced him, her arms crossed over her chest. “And then your conscience got in the way, right? You decided to tell me now, so when you do move you don’t feel guilty?”
“No.” He stood and put his hands on her shoulders, making it difficult to move. “I needed to tell you because I care about you. I want to see what happens between us, and I can’t do that if you don’t know who I really am.”
The guy was being honest now; she’d give him that much. She shook her head as the truth fully sank in. Billionaire Curt Sherbrooke, a guy who dined at the finest restaurants in the world, had been joining them for dinner and then playing soccer with her niece. She thought back over so many of the conversations they’d shared.
“Wow, what an idiot I am.” She laughed sarcastically when one particular conversation about where his family members lived popped up, and the realization of who she stood there with hit her head on. It was either laugh or punch him in the nose. Laughing wouldn’t get her arrested for assault.
“Your uncle is the president of the United States. He doesn’t just live in Washington, D.C. He lives in the friggin’ White House.”
He grimaced. “Yeah, my uncle Warren is the current president. He’s my dad’s oldest brother.”
Real laughter bubbled up. She wasn’t sure what was crazier: that he called the president of the United States, perhaps the most powerful man in the world, Uncle Warren, or that she’d been sleeping with the president’s nephew. “And the beach house”—she made air quotes—“he owns, and you used to visit, is probably one of those gigantic mansions on the ocean.”
“Yes, Cliff House is on Bellevue Avenue.”
She’d toured some of the grand estates located along the famous street, so she had a good idea of what Cliff House must look like. “Jeez, how did I miss it? I should’ve realized you weren’t who I thought you were. All the clues were right there.”
When Taylor showed up much earlier than he expected, he wanted to strangle his cousin. Trent’s presence made easing into the truth impossible. At least it was all out there. She hadn’t shouted, attached any vulgar names to him, or slapped him. Yet.
All things considered, he’d take it and consider himself lucky so far, because she was pissed. If he stood in her position he would be, too. He just hoped she wasn’t so mad she told him to get lost. Because when he’d said he cared about her, he spoke the truth. He cared a hell of a lot.
“Taylor, I’m the same person you’ve been spending time with.” He might have kept his last name a secret, but he hadn’t changed his personality. He hadn’t done anything he wouldn’t normally do.
“So I should just smile and forget you lied?”
“You have every right to be mad. I would be, too.” He took her face between his hands. “But give me a chance to prove I’m who you thought I was. Prove that I care about you and your family. Please.” She didn’t move away. He took that as a positive sign.
“And what about Mom and Reese?” Taylor asked, her voice not giving much away.
“What about them?”
“Do you plan on telling them the truth, or do you expect me to keep all this from them?”
He’d not given it any thought one way or the other. If he hoped to keep Taylor in his life, he needed to be honest with her whole family. “Next time I see them, I’ll explain everything. Or you can tell them tonight if you want.”
“Right answer, buster.”
“Does this mean you don’t hate me?” He swallowed, and waited for an answer.
“It means I believe your explanation and understand it, even if I don’t like it.”
Taylor hadn’t said she forgave him, but her answer was better than the other alternatives he’d envisioned.
“And because I care about you, I’m willing to give you another chance.”
Relief washed over him and he lowered his lips toward hers. She’d given him what he’d asked for. Now he needed to make sure he didn’t fuck it up, because he more than cared. Somewhere along the way he’d fallen in love with her. This wasn’t the moment to tell her, though.
She anticipated his move and pulled back before he kissed her. “But no more lies or secrets between us. I won’t be with someone who isn’t honest with me. Got it?”
Meeting her demand wouldn’t be a problem. “You know everything, Taylor. And I promise there’ll be no more secrets. Ever.”
“Then I think we’re okay. But I should go.” She kissed his cheek and moved farther away.
“Stay. It’s still early.”
She shook her head. “I want to change. I’ve had these heels on all day and my feet are done.”
When she arrived, he’d been too preoccupied to notice her outfit. Now he took in the navy-blue skirt, matching jacket, and blue heels. He’d never seen her dressed in business attire. “Come back after. I can cook dinner on the grill for us. Bring your mom and Reese if you want. She can give me another soccer lesson.”
The quicker things between them went back to the way they’d been before this chat, the better.
She appeared torn, so he went in for the kill. “I’ll go over to the Java Bean and get a pie for dessert.”
Finally, he got a genuine smile from her. The kind that made the dimple in her right cheek appear. “Let me check with Mom and Reese and get back to you. I don’t know what Mom’s plans are for tonight.” She moved closer and kissed him. A brief press of her lips against his, but it still qualified as a kiss. “I’ll let you know.”
Chapter Twelve
Taylor walked into an empty house. Even Stripes was lying outside on the back patio, soaking up the sunshine. A note on the kitchen table informed her Mom and Reese went to the grocery store and the mall but would be back before dinner. In her note, Mom mentioned sending Curt a text and inviting him over for dinner. Under Mom and Reese’s names, her niece had added a large heart with eyes and a smiling mouth.
Just wonderful. Mom invited Curt for dinner.
She left the note behind and took her cell phone upstairs. At least having the house to herself gave her some time to think. To really process the bombshell Curt had dropped on her. For almost two months, she’d been living next to and dating billionaire Curt Sherbrooke. A member of the wealthiest family in America. A guy who called powerful politicians and business tycoons family. Crazy.
“His aunt and uncle live in the White House.” Taylor spoke aloud as she walked upstairs. She still couldn’t get her head around that particular detail. “How did I miss the clues?”
She considered herself a good investigator. She picked up the little details most people overlooked. The more she considered their conversations, the more clues she realized he’d dropped and she’d missed.
Taylor left both her cell phone and jacket on her bed. Today’s weather definitely called for a T-shirt and shorts, not pantyhose and heels.
The cell phone beeped as soon as she walked back with more comfortable clothes.
Priscilla invited me over. Should I say yes or no? the message from Curt read.
“At least he asked me first,” she muttered.
Did she want him over tonight? Would waiting to see him again change anything? Make the truth any less odd? Nope. And she had already stuck her neck out there when she agreed to overlook the secret he’d kept. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t rescind her decision. She cared too much about him. As her mom had said weeks ago, Curt was a keeper. Perfect in every way, or at least he had been until today. Even in this instance, he hadn’t so much lied to her as omitted details. He’d never once said he was Curt Hilton. Both her and Mom assumed as much when he said he wrote Fatal Deception. Everything he’d told her about his family was true; he’d merely failed to mention some of the finer details. Pieces of information she hadn’t inquired about either, and maybe she should’ve.
She picked up the cell phone and typed back a message. Say yes.
A message immediately cam
e back from him. Okay. See you soon. I’ll bring pie.
She smiled at his message. Of course, a lot of the things Curt did made her smile; just one of the many reasons she was willing to move past his faux pas this one time.
***
“You’re pulling my leg. It’s not possible.” Mom adamantly shook her head while she spoke.
What did she have to say to convince her mother? “Mom, I’m telling you the truth. Curt is a member of the Sherbrooke family. Why would I lie about something like that?”
She’d decided to fill Mom in on everything before Curt arrived for dinner. So, right after they put away the groceries, she sent Reese outside to play and asked Mom to sit down. She’d expected Mom to be as shocked as she’d been. She hadn’t thought Mom wouldn’t believe her.
“And why would someone like Curt Sherbrooke buy the house next door? People like him live in Manhattan or Los Angeles. Maybe Boston. Certainly not Pelham, New Hampshire.” Mom pointed in the direction of Curt’s house, even though they couldn’t see it from their kitchen. “The man living next door is an author. That’s what he told us, remember? You and Reese were sitting right here when he did.”
Okay, she’d try one more time. If Mom still refused to believe her, she’d leave it to Curt to convince her. He’d created the problem… he could solve it.
“I don’t know why he picked this town, but Curt’s not only the author of the book you love, he’s President Sherbrooke’s nephew. When I went to his house after work, Trent Sherbrooke was there. The two of them are first cousins, Mom.”
The screen slider leading to the backyard screeched across the runner. “The president has a nephew?” Reese asked, stepping inside and catching the tail end of their conversation.
Even in the first grade, they talked about government and how the United States had a president, so Reese had a general idea of whom they referred to even if she didn’t fully understand the role he played in the country.
“More than one. He has nieces, too.” Taylor wasn’t positive, but she thought he had two grandchildren now as well.
“Auntie Taylor, the president is too old to have nieces and nephews.”
She had a good idea how Reese reached her conclusion. “When I’m the President’s age you’ll still be my niece, won’t you?”
Reese nodded.
“Then a person can have a nephew or niece no matter how old they are.”
Reese considered the statement. “His nephew must be old like you.”
To someone a few weeks shy of seven, thirty-four must seem ancient. “Yes, the president’s nieces and nephews are around my age.”
Happy with the answer, Reese said, “Mimi, are we eating soon? I’m super hungry.”
Mom shot her a pointed look. “As soon as Curt is here, we’ll eat. Why don’t you go wash up so you’re ready?”
Yep, Mom still didn’t believe her. Oh, well. She’d learn the truth soon enough. She couldn’t wait to see Mom’s expression when she did.
“Do you think he’ll give me another lacrosse lesson tonight?” Reese asked.
If Reese asked him, Curt would say yes. He’d never refused any of her previous requests. “Maybe. For now, go wash up like Mimi told you.”
She skipped out of the kitchen. “Auntie Taylor, Curt’s here.” The little girl’s voice traveled back into the kitchen. “Can I open the door?”
“Are you positive it’s him?” Taylor asked, her mind instantly going to their unwelcome guest Saturday afternoon.
“I think so. He looks a little different, but it’s his car.”
I think so and yes, I’m positive were not the same thing. And a lot of cars looked alike. “Don’t do anything. I’ll be right there.” Their visitor was probably Curt, but she’d rather verify it before Reese opened the door.
Through the front window, Taylor saw the SUV parked behind her car before she reached the door. Yep, it was his vehicle. At least one of them. Considering what she’d learned earlier, she wouldn’t be surprised to learn the guy had a garage full of fancy cars like his cousin’s somewhere.
“Go ahead open the door,” she said.
The girl had the door open before Taylor finished talking.
“Curt, can we play lacrosse again?” Reese asked, rather than give the man a proper hello or allow him inside.
“I don’t have my lacrosse stick with me, but if Taylor says it’s okay we can play some soccer.” He looked from Reese to her.
Reese looked her way, too. “Auntie Taylor, is it okay?”
She didn’t see any reason they couldn’t. “I’ll even join you if you want. First go wash up for dinner.”
The answer produced a huge grin and Reese raced upstairs, leaving them alone at the front door.
He’d changed his clothes since she left him. It wasn’t the only thing he’d changed, though. His well-trimmed beard was gone, as were the glasses he usually wore. At some point since she left him, he’d visited a barber, too.
“You cut your hair.” She took in the new him, or maybe this was the old him before he moved to town. Seeing him without the beard, shorter hair, and glasses, she wondered how she’d ever managed to mistake him for anyone other than billionaire Curt Sherbrooke.
Curt ran his free hand over his head. In his other hand he held two bakery boxes. “Couldn’t take it anymore. I visited the barbershop over on Bridge Street right after you left. I never let my hair get so long.”
“And you shaved.” Talk about stating the obvious.
“Yeah, was getting a little tired of the beard, too.” He held out the two bakery boxes. “As promised. One wild berry pie and one chocolate chip pie from the Java Bean.” Curt dropped his voice to a whisper, and his gaze traveled over her face and searched her eyes. “I missed you.” He moved closer, his nearness kindling a fire inside her.
Despite the topic of their last conversation, she’d missed him, too. “I’m glad you’re here.”
He gave her a dazzling smile, which left her wanting to fan herself. “Have you talked with your mom yet?” he asked, his voice still low.
“Yep, and she doesn’t believe me. She thinks I’m trying to pull some prank on her.” Once Mom took one look at Curt tonight, she’d realize Taylor had been telling the truth.
Reese flew back down the stairs and joined them again before Curt commented. “Let’s eat. I’m super hungry.” She didn’t wait for either adult before skipping down the hall for the kitchen.
“You heard her,” Curt said with a chuckle.
Mom stood at the stove when they walked in.
“Curt brought dessert, Mom,” Taylor said, anxious for Mom to turn around and see Curt’s new look.
Priscilla set down the pan she pulled from the oven. “You didn’t need to do….” Her voice trailed off when she turned and saw Curt standing there. “I thought Taylor was pulling my leg.” She tossed her oven mitts aside. “From day one I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Taylor thought maybe you reminded me of someone on television.”
“Sorry I wasn’t completely honest from the beginning, Priscilla. I hope you can forgive me.”
What would Mom say now? Typically, Mom looked for the best in people and overlooked the mistakes they made. Lying, though, she’d always found harder to forgive.
“Let’s consider it water under the bridge.”
Curt glanced at each person seated around him. Other than Priscilla’s initial surprise, none of the Walkers were treating him any differently than they had Saturday night or all the previous times he’d been with them. Even the mild aloofness Taylor exhibited this afternoon was gone, all good signs he hadn’t ruined his relationship with her, something he’d worried about after she left his house. Time to think wasn’t always a good thing, and she’d had plenty of it following their little chat. Tonight she’d greeted him with a smile and touched him every opportunity she got. Like now. After refilling both of their iced teas, she ran her hand across his shoulder before taking her own seat n
ext to him again.
“I’m having my birthday party at Skate Kingdom. It’s a roller skating place. Auntie Taylor already helped me write the invitations so we can mail them.” Reese sat at the opposite side of the table. Much of her dinner remained on her plate because she’d been so busy talking. “If I give you one, will you come?”
She gave him the same look as when she wanted to play soccer. How Taylor and Priscilla ever told the girl no was beyond him. All she had to do was give him that look and the word okay slipped out of his mouth. This time he tried to restrain himself because a party inside a loud and crowded roller rink sounded damn close to hell.
“I haven’t roller skated in a long time. I don’t think I know how anymore.”
“They have special skates. They make it easier, and I’ll help you. So will Auntie Taylor.” Reese looked expectantly at Taylor. “Will you help Curt at my party?”
“Curt probably wouldn’t like Skate Kingdom. Maybe instead he can have dinner and cake with us, and you can just celebrate with your friends at Skate Kingdom.” Taylor used her best diplomatic tone. He’d heard her use it before when addressing Reese. “We always take Reese out for dinner and let her pick the restaurant. After, we have cake here.” Her hand slipped under the table and squeezed his thigh. He took the gesture as her way of telling him it was okay to say no to Reese this time.
Reese ignored her aunt’s suggestion. “You’ll love Skate Kingdom. They play music while you skate and sometimes turn on these special lights and your clothes glow. You can play video games, and we get to eat pizza.”
“Pizza, huh? Does sound pretty great. Can I check my calendar and get back to you?” His request bought him a little more time.
“I’ll get you an invitation.” She hopped from her chair before anyone could stop her.
The Billionaire Next Door (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 10) Page 13