Next Door to the Billionaire (Bluebonnets & Billionaires, #1)

by Carrington, Remi

“How did you deal with all this when you met mom?”

  “There was only Mom.” Dad chuckled. “It wasn’t that complicated.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I just stayed away from her father as much as possible. He cared as much about public opinion as anything, so he always behaved in public. Your mom and I used that to our advantage.”

  “You proposed in public?”

  “No, but we announced it publicly. He acted like he was behind her choices. I’m just glad your grandmother wasn’t around to hear how he talked about it when not in public.”

  “Why didn’t mom cut off all contact? I know the money isn’t that important to her.”

  “She promised her mom she wouldn’t. If you need any help planning your question, just ask.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Tanner hung up and straightened his tie.

  The beginnings of an idea took shape, but he wouldn’t be asking any important questions before the wedding. It was a bit too soon, and he wouldn’t do anything to overshadow Nellie’s big day. However, Tanner hoped that he and Livvy were moving in that direction.

  Chapter 28

  Tissues proved as necessary as Livvy had expected. The ceremony hadn’t even started, and she was thinking about crying. Everything was beautiful, and Coop looked like he might shed tears.

  Tanner stood at the front with the other groomsmen, looking hotter than ever. She only had eyes for him as the bridesmaids walked up the aisle. But when the music changed, all eyes were on Nellie.

  Livvy glanced away to peek at Coop. His grin won the day.

  Watching Nellie and Coop exchanging vows, promising forever, Livvy decided it was time for Tanner to get to know her mom a bit more. The social media post had already kicked off the process. Livvy wasn’t surprised that her mom wanted all the details about how Livvy and Tanner ended up an item.

  Explaining it was difficult because she didn’t understand it all herself. Fate played a hand in it, with a little help from the weather and his sister.

  Livvy thought her heart might explode when Nellie and Coop were introduced as husband and wife. The bridal party filed out, and Tanner winked as he made his exit.

  Ruthie patted Livvy’s knee but didn’t say a word.

  Livvy missed her dad in that moment more than she had in a long time, probably because she was the happiest she’d been in a long time, and she wished he’d been there to share in it with her.

  WATCHING RUTHIE AND Jeffrey as they greeted guests, Livvy stood off to the side, waiting for Tanner.

  Arms circled her, and warmth encompassed her.

  She leaned back against him. “You’re raising my blood pressure in that tux.”

  “You are a vision.” Tanner kissed her cheek. “Let’s have a seat.”

  Ruthie and Jeffrey had spared no expense in throwing Nellie a spectacular wedding. From the intricate ice sculptures to the chef-prepared food, every detail was perfect.

  The crowd hushed as Nellie and Coop made their way onto the dance floor. He picked her up and swung her around before the music even started, drawing cheers from the room.

  At the end of the song, her dad walked onto the dance floor, and Livvy grabbed tissues. Tanner slipped an arm around her as the song played.

  After Coop danced with his mom, couples made their way onto the floor.

  Tanner squeezed Livvy’s hand. “Would you like to dance?”

  “Absolutely.” Livvy tightened her grip.

  Before they started dancing, one of the waitstaff tapped Tanner’s shoulder. “Someone asked for you at the door.”

  Tanner tensed. “Wait here.”

  Livvy only half-listened. She followed part of the way.

  Angela waited near the door, decked out in a very swanky dress. A burly guy in a solid black suit stood in front of her, his arms crossed.

  As Tanner approached, she reached out to hug him. He pulled back, but not before she snapped a photo. After blowing him a kiss, she disappeared out the door.

  Livvy wished she could’ve heard the exchange.

  When Tanner walked back up, he clutched her hand and led her out a side door. “I’m not sure what that was about.”

  Tucked out of view, Livvy pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his lips. “Probably the same reason I snapped a pic. Check social media.”

  “Maybe later. Right now, I want to dance with you.”

  “You sure know how to make a girl feel loved.” She chose those words carefully.

  The kiss he gave her in response said she’d chosen the right ones.

  EVEN AFTER NELLIE AND Coop made their grand exit, Tanner and Livvy swayed on the dance floor. Romance filled her soul.

  House-sitting for the next two months meant she and Tanner would likely be having dinner together—alone—every evening, and that thought thrilled her.

  He’d relaxed since the unexpected visitor snapped the picture but hadn’t checked online—at least not that Livvy had noticed.

  She wanted to see that twinkle again. “Hey, handsome, any chance you can give me a ride home?”

  “Darlin’, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.” He twirled her then pulled her close. “As long as I get to be near you.”

  When the song ended and the band began packing up, Ruthie hurried over. “Jeff and I wondered if the two of you would like to come to the house tonight.” She choked on her words and wiped her eyes. “We thought it might be fun.”

  Tanner shot Livvy a side glance as he pulled his mom close. “We’d love to, Mom.” He turned and pulled Livvy into the hug. “Is that okay with you, Liv?”

  She nodded into his shoulder. “I’d love that.”

  Ruthie stepped back and composed herself. “Y’all go and get whatever you need. We’ll meet you at the house.”

  Hand in hand, Livvy and Tanner strolled to the car. Before backing out, he leaned across the car, meeting her lips. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Coming with me, agreeing to go to Mom and Dad’s. I’ve loved tonight.”

  She kissed him again. “Me too.”

  AFTER SWINGING BY THEIR houses to change, they headed to his parents’ house.

  No sooner were they inside, Tanner dropped the bags and tugged Livvy to the couch. “I want to take you out again just to see you in that dress.”

  She laughed and dropped into his lap. “I thought you might like it.”

  Her face cradled in his hands, he danced his lips on hers. Deepening the kiss, he held her tighter.

  When she was getting a bit too heated, she shifted out of his lap. Still holding his hand, she trailed her finger along his palm. “I decided that I want us to have dinner with my mom again.”

  “Just say when.” He pulled her fingers to his lips. “Is everything okay with her?”

  “She says she’s doing fine, but the deadline for next semester is soon. If I pay for classes and then she needs help, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”

  “Her rent is covered for a year. That should give you enough time to finish classes.”

  Livvy replayed his words in her head. Her rent is covered for a year. Her mom had told her exactly that, but he would only know if he had a hand it paying for it.

  Fighting rage, embarrassment, and tears, Livvy jumped up. “You helped her? She asked you?” She grabbed his keys off the table and ran to the car.

  “Wait, Liv, please.”

  Those were the last words she heard as she slammed the door.

  Going back to Nellie’s wouldn’t work. She needed to calm down and think. It was too late for a cup of tea with Verbena, and Livvy could only think of one other place to go. He might not think to look for her there. She slid behind the wheel and started the engine as he ran out the front door.

  Once she was out of the neighborhood, she pulled into a gas station. Scanning the keys on his ring, she located one that looked like it might open the cabin. That was what she needed.

  Texts popped up on her screen.

  I’m sorr
y.

  Don’t do this.

  Please come back.

  She ignored them.

  Trying to stop her hands from shaking before she tried to drive again, she scanned her social media feeds. A picture of Tanner and Angela showed up at the top. Her sneaky selfie captured a frustrated confusion on his face. She’d tagged him and captioned the picture with We set a date.

  Livvy tossed her phone into the passenger seat and headed to the cabin. Her mom had asked Tanner for money, and he hadn’t said a word about it. Knowing that her mom had hit him up for money horrified Livvy. Beyond embarrassed, she cried as she navigated the back roads.

  Her mother had ruined everything. Livvy couldn’t be with Tanner, not anymore. He’d think Livvy was just like her mother, in want of a meal ticket.

  Chapter 29

  In a near panic, Tanner yanked the keys to his dad’s truck off the hook. He had to go after Livvy. Before he made it out the door to the garage, his parents walked in.

  Mom set her purse down. “We thought—what’s wrong?”

  He wouldn’t let emotion take over. That would only make searching more difficult. But anger, fear, panic, and heartache all vied for headspace, and keeping a clear head became more difficult by the second. “Livvy left. I went behind her back, thinking I was helping her, and when she found out, she left.”

  “So that was your car.” Mom hugged him. “Go after her.”

  “I am.”

  “What can we do?” Dad pulled off his bowtie.

  “Stay here for now. I’m going to see if she went back to Nellie’s.” Tanner ran out to the garage, calling Livvy as he went. When it rolled to voicemail, he left a message. “Where are you? Liv, please talk to me.”

  As he drove, clouds blocked out the moon, and raindrops spattered his windshield. The weather mocked his poor judgment.

  When he didn’t find Livvy at Nellie’s, he called her mom, trying to decide what to say.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Campbell, this is Tanner. Livvy and I got our wires crossed, and I wondered if she was over there.”

  “No, but I have to say that I am thrilled you two are dating. Such a cute couple.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to let you go, but soon we’ll have to get together for dinner.”

  “That would be so fun!”

  The last word cut off as he ended the call. He drove back to his parents’ house, cringing as thunder rumbled.

  When he walked in, he started talking before he’d even made it all the way through the door. “Has she come back? Or called?”

  Mom met him in the kitchen. “Not a word.”

  He paced in a circle around the table. “Where is she?”

  “I don’t know. I wish I could tell you.”

  Tanner hugged his mom before running toward the garage. “I’ve got to find her.”

  “Where are you going?”

  He thought about where he’d go if he were upset. “Do you have any ice?”

  “In the garage freezer, why?” She followed him out to the garage. “Please answer me.”

  Every second he talked was another second apart from Livvy. “I’m hoping she’s at the cabin. Just in case, because of the storm, I want to take ice.”

  “I just tossed the cooler and ice in the truck.” His dad patted Tanner on the back. “Now go talk to her.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  RAIN FELL HARDER AS he turned onto the winding drive. From the end of the driveway, light was visible in the windows. She wasn’t sitting in the dark. He’d found her.

  He stopped next to the Maserati and jumped out.

  In the rain, he ran to the cabin and grabbed the knob, but the door didn’t open. She’d locked herself in.

  Knocking, he called out to her, his voice competing with the rain. “Liv, let me in.” After a minute with no response, he ran back to the truck.

  Tanner shot off a text: Can we at least talk on the phone?

  He didn’t wait long before dialing her number. His heart sank as each ring ended.

  She picked up before it rolled to voicemail. “What?”

  “Truth or dare?”

  “I dare you to leave me alone.” Her voice didn’t crack. She didn’t sound like she’d even been crying.

  “I’m only choosing truth.”

  “I can’t believe my mom asked you for money. It’s too embarrassing.”

  “Livvy—”

  “I don’t want your money, Tanner.”

  “And I find that maddeningly attractive.” Typically wary of why women sought out his attention, he’d never given it a second thought with Livvy.

  “Why did you help her after I asked you not to?”

  Tanner tried to put his feelings and reasoning into words. “I couldn’t sit by and watch you delay your last semester. Do you know how hard it is to sit on my hands?”

  “I’m not like her.”

  “I don’t think you are.” The rest of what he needed to say had to be done face to face. He needed to see her reaction, wanted to read her body language.

  He climbed out of the truck and ran through the rain again. On the porch, he knocked.

  Thunder pounded the air, and the door flew open.

  Her tear-streaked face broke his heart. She crawled up on the bed and crossed her arms and legs.

  Fear building in his chest, he formed his next question. “Is it me you don’t want or just my help?”

  Livvy inhaled sharply. “After Dad died, Mom cared about one thing—money. She didn’t have it, and getting it from people became her way of life. I hated it.”

  He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Liv, you aren’t anything like your mother.”

  “I swore I wouldn’t be like that, and now—I’ve never been so embarrassed.”

  He asked the question again, almost afraid of her answer. “Is it me you don’t want or just my help?”

  “Money doesn’t fix everything.” She wouldn’t even look at him.

  “I know it doesn’t, and if my money is an issue for you, I’ll get rid of it. I’ll sign it over to Nellie, give her the company, and go open a bike repair shop.”

  She gasped, her brown eyes wide with surprise. “A bike repair shop?”

  “I’d paint them all turquoise. If that’s what it takes to have you with me, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.” He held his breath as he waited for her to respond.

  “You’d give it all up?” Her face disappeared behind her hands, and her shoulders bounced up and down.

  He scooted closer, and she fell against his chest.

  Bundling her into his arms, he whispered, “I love you, Livvy.”

  Her breath stuttered as she regained composure.

  “I did what I did because I love you. I shouldn’t have done it without talking to you first, and for that, I’m sorry.”

  “Your world scares me. You have everything. You run a massive business. I’m not sure how I can fit in. And then there’s my mom.”

  He brushed hairs out of her face. “I don’t have everything. I want you. And you fit right here in my arms.”

  “You really love me?”

  “Really and truly.” Telling the whole truth seemed important. “Having pie on Fridays was something I looked forward to. I was attracted to you before you showed up at my cabin. After getting to know you, that attraction grew—rapidly.”

  She looked up at him, her lips parted ever so slightly. “I love you, too.”

  Hearing those words ramped up his heart rate, and when he pressed his mouth to hers, he could taste the love on her lips.

  The rain continued, but thankfully the thunder and lightning abated.

  Her head resting on his shoulder, Livvy cleared her throat. “I need to tell you something.”

  “I’m not going to like it, am I?”

  “Angela tagged you in a post, saying you set a date.”

  Tanner fought the urge to publicly embarrass Angela, but if she continued, she’d end up embarrassing herself. “She can post all sh
e wants. I don’t like it, but it won’t change anything. A wedding requires two people at the altar.” He brushed his thumb along Livvy’s lips.

  The rain pounded the cabin, and the lights flickered.

  Livvy giggled. “I’m not sure whether the weather hates us or is pushing us together.”

  “Definitely pushing us together. I need to grab the cooler from the truck. Mom and Dad had ice, thankfully.”

  “Your parents are probably wondering where we are. I’m sorry.”

  “They know.” Tanner yanked out his phone and sent off a quick text: With Livvy, talking and waiting out the storm. “Let me grab the cooler just in case, then when the weather dies down, we’ll head back.”

  “Why is my mom sending me texts, gushing about you again? I still can’t believe she didn’t tell me that you paid her rent.”

  “Hold that thought.” He ran out and grabbed the cooler, hoping that by having it at the ready, they wouldn’t need it. Once the ice was stashed in the freezer, he sat on the new couch and opened his arms.

  She snuggled up next to him. “Gushing is a mild description.”

  “When I couldn’t find you, I called her.”

  “You what? She’s probably panicked that I’m missing. I hope she hasn’t called the police.”

  “I didn’t say you were missing. I only said we got our wires crossed, which technically was true, in a way. I called because I wanted to know if you were there.”

  “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?”