“You little brat.” She stormed past Tanner and waggled her finger at Livvy. “You stole my ring!”
“She did not steal anything.” He stepped in front of Livvy.
“Well, what do you call keeping something that isn’t yours?” Angela leaned around Tanner and poked Livvy in the shoulder.
He gritted his teeth, trying to watch what he said. “You left it, and she gave it to me. Now get out.”
Angela reached toward him. “Sweet Tanner, I don’t know what lies she’s told you, and I’ve been so worried.”
He crossed his arms and moved back, bumping into Livvy. “Leave her out of this. You’ve seen me. I’m fine. Now go.”
“We can work this out.” Angela laid her hand on his cheek. “I’m not sure what kind of hold she has on you, but I trust you’ll snap out of it.” She sashayed out the front door, which Dad closed behind her.
“Good riddance.” He bolted the door.
Mom hadn’t even come out of the kitchen, which was probably for the best.
Tanner turned to Livvy. “You okay?”
She nodded, but her gaze didn’t move from where it was riveted to the carpet.
“I’m sorry. She has no reason to lash out at you.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” She wouldn’t look at him.
Ruthie stepped out of the kitchen, with her phone in hand. “I just called the gate and had her taken off the list.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Livvy, will you come help me with something?” Ruthie motioned to the kitchen.
Tanner started to follow, but his dad stopped him.
“Let them talk.”
Concerned about how Angela’s surprise visit had affected Livvy and a little worried about what his mom might say, Tanner paced.
A few minutes later, Livvy followed Mom into the den.
His mom had her purse in her hand. “Livvy and I are going out. We’re meeting Nellie for drinks.”
“So late?” Tanner glanced at the time.
“Yep. I’m taking Nellie’s car.” She gave Dad a kiss and whispered in his ear.
The gleam in his eye made Tanner not want to ask what she’d said.
“I, uh—mind if I stay here tonight? In Nellie’s room?” He wanted to see Livvy and have time to talk to her, maybe to pick up where they’d left off when they were alone.
“That’s fine. Don’t wait up.” Ruthie waved and clutched Livvy’s arm, leading her to the garage.
Dad yawned. “Night.” He wandered down the hall, leaving Tanner alone.
He stood in the living room for several minutes. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he glanced at it long enough to confirm it wasn’t Livvy. He might as well go to bed.
Tucked under the covers, he tried to order his thoughts. Funeral arrangements had been made. Friday, the family would publicly mourn the death of Grandfather, and Tanner would step into the spotlight.
He’d trade his pickup for the Maserati, his jeans for a suit. According to his grandfather, image was everything. Tanner had lived that for three years when it came to business matters.
Did taking over the company mean that applied to his whole life? Mom had distanced herself from that life; Nellie chose Coop over the family business. Tanner felt responsible for keeping the business alive and successful.
Grandfather would want Tanner to ignore Angela’s indiscretions and marry her anyway. Tanner couldn’t do that. For him, love was a prerequisite for marriage. He knew that now.
Since he didn’t want Angela causing a scene, he’d wait until after the funeral to break off the engagement.
Chapter 14
Nellie opened the front door, apologizing. “I didn’t know he would do that. I’m sorry. I sent the limo for you when Tanner didn’t bring my car back.”
“I appreciate it.” Livvy glanced around, amazed at the house. It was just as nice as the parents’ house, only in a different gated neighborhood tucked away in the hills. “It was my fault for telling him what time my shift ended.”
Ruthie motioned toward the kitchen. “My ride will be here soon. Let’s talk over a drink.”
“Mom sounds like a lush, but I promise she isn’t.” Nellie pulled glasses out of a cabinet.
Livvy laughed. “I’ll just have a Coke or Dr Pepper if you have it.”
“Coming right up.” Nellie disappeared into another room.
Ruthie poured herself a glass of wine. “I don’t understand all the reasons you don’t want to be at our house, but I sense that it’s because of Tanner.”
“I do appreciate the offer, and I hope you don’t think me rude.”
“Oh, no. But you are always welcome back.”
“I really don’t understand why you would just let me live at your house. You don’t know me.”
“I trust Tanner’s opinion and Nellie’s. Clearly, she doesn’t think you are a risk. And since Jeffery worked with your dad—those are all reasons.”
“Um, Dad just had a regular job.” Livvy wasn’t sure how to say that he didn’t make the same kind of money as Mr. Davis.
Ruthie patted Livvy’s hand. “Jeffrey had a regular job. The money, most of it, is from my mom’s family—inherited money.”
“Oh.”
“So, as I said, if you decide to come back, you are welcome.”
“Well, thank you. I just think it’s better if I’m not somewhere that I’ll see Tanner often.”
Ruthie raised her eyebrows. “But—”
“Here you go.” Nellie shot her mom a look. “Livvy is doing me a big favor. Please don’t go on and on about how messy I am.”
They were hiding something. The house didn’t look at all like it belonged to a slob.
Ruthie sipped her wine. “What’s wrong with seeing Tanner?” She probably thought Livvy hated him.
“We are from two different worlds. When I met him before, I didn’t know that. He seemed like . . .” Livvy wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.
“The guy next door?” Nellie added vanilla syrup to her Dr Pepper.
Livvy couldn’t have chosen a better description. “Well, yeah. A lot like that.”
“Knowing he’s rich changes things?” Ruthie glanced at her phone.
“Yes, and no offense, but he’s not just rich. He’s a billionaire. And engaged.” Livvy found herself saying more than she’d intended.
Nellie dropped into a chair. “Hopefully not for long.”
“I like y’all. You aren’t what I’d expect of people with so much money. But I can’t be Tanner’s charity case. I don’t want to be the kid he needs to rescue.” And there it went, the words she hadn’t wanted to say out loud. They sounded true. She believed it.
“You are not a kid, my dear.” Ruthie picked up her purse. “My sweetie’s here for me. See you ladies later.”
“Bye, Mom. I took off all this week, so I’ll call you tomorrow.”
When the front door closed, Livvy relaxed a little. “Mind giving me a quick tour? I can get started on things after classes tomorrow.”
“Absolutely. You can use the Jeep. Keys are on the hook. And I’ll leave a grocery list and cash on the counter, if you don’t mind shopping. Feel free to also get what you like.” Nellie gave her a tour of the house, and they ended outside Livvy’s room.
Livvy reined in the urge to gush, which wouldn’t be very professional. “Thank you. Would you like me to create a meal plan?”
“That’d be great. Just for dinners though. This is going to be great.”
Nellie disappeared into the other end of the house, leaving Livvy all alone in her new room.
Wanting to feel more at home, she dug through her bag, looking for Snuffy, but her stuffed elephant wasn’t anywhere to be found. She’d have to ask Nellie to grab it from her parents’ house.
Livvy sat on the bed, wrapping her brain around the whirlwind of changes. More spacious than the room she’d just left, the bedroom had a king-sized bed, a dresser with six empty drawers, a television, and a desk. Fo
rgetting Tanner wouldn’t be easy, since she was living with his sister, but Livvy appreciated the job—and even more than that, a place to sleep where she didn’t worry about who might wake her up, or take her stuff, or worse.
She slid under the covers and texted her mom: I got a new job. Not working at the diner anymore. Didn’t want you to worry.
Livvy didn’t get an answer.
Curled up in bed, she searched recipes and ideas of what rich people ate for dinner. After deciding that trying to prepare a rack of lamb was a bad idea, she bookmarked several recipes she knew how to make well.
Once she had a solid list and was ready to run the menu past Nellie in the morning, Livvy closed her eyes.
When Livvy wandered into the kitchen, Coop sat at the table. “Morning. Nellie mentioned you were here. She’ll be down in a bit.” He jumped up. “Coffee?”
“I’ll get it. Thanks.” She pulled a mug out of the cabinet. “Í didn’t realize that you lived here, too.”
“I don’t. My apartment isn’t far away, but I’m here a lot.”
Livvy chuckled at his grin.
“Sorry about teasing you with the kid sister comment. I meant it as a poke at Tanner, but I shoulda thought before I spoke.” Probably in his thirties, Coop looked way more comfortable in an old truck than she imagined he’d look in a tux.
“That’s okay. I’m making a menu for the week. I thought maybe you might have dinner over here often. Want to have a look?”
“Oh, yes.” He scrolled through the list Livvy had put together. “This looks amazing. Nice touch with the shrimp and grits on Tuesday. I’ll be over every night.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “And maybe you could teach Nellie a little.”
“I heard that.” Nellie laughed and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m glad you love me anyway. Cash and list are on the counter. Keys are there. And if you have any questions, text me.”
“Oh, I think I left a stuffed animal at the house. I know that sounds silly, but it means a lot to me.”
“I’ll check for it.”
Livvy gathered the money, list, and keys. “Bye!” She headed out the door, still amazed at how things had fallen into place. The next time she saw Tanner, she’d have to thank him, but that wouldn’t work because then he would know where she was.
Chapter 15
Tanner made sure to wake up early. When he didn’t see anyone in the kitchen, he knocked on Livvy’s door, but no one answered.
Trying to decide what to do, he headed back to the kitchen for coffee.
“She moved out.” Mom walked in, shuffling through a stack of condolence cards.
He ran back down the hall and threw open the door, hoping his mom had been teasing to gauge his reaction. The room looked as if no one had slept there. The only sign of Livvy stuck out from under the bed—the stuffed elephant he’d seen before.
He wandered back into the kitchen, trying to hold his temper. “Why? How could you let her leave? It’s not safe.” He stopped short of telling his mom that Livvy had been sleeping in the library, but he didn’t understand how Livvy could leave without even a goodbye.
During the weekend, there were sparks. Granted, he’d put a damper on things with what he said, but leaving? Nothing had prepared him for that.
Mom trailed a finger around the rim of her coffee mug. “You can’t rescue everyone, Tanner.”
“I don’t want to rescue her. I want to help her.”
“Why?”
Tanner focused on not spilling coffee while he poured. “What does it matter?”
“It matters to her. Anyway, she didn’t go home, but she decided to stay elsewhere.” Mom gathered the cards. “Are you going into the office?”
“I should.” He didn’t want to, but he needed to. What he wanted to do was scour the town until he found Livvy. “Maybe we could have dinner at the diner.”
“We can.” Mom rinsed out her coffee mug. “Have you spoken with Angela?”
“Not since she was here, and I told her to get out. She’s been texting me.”
“Does she know?”
“That Livvy spent the weekend with me? I hope not. That would be terrible.”
“I meant, does she know that you know she’s cheating?”
“Don’t think so.” He downed the rest of his coffee. “Mind dropping me by the house, so I can get the Maserati?”
“Give me a minute to grab my things.”
Tanner slipped into the bedroom and fished the forgotten elephant out from under the bed. He tucked it into a dark corner of the closet, keeping it hidden until he could sneak it out of the house. She’d want her stuffed friend back, and he wanted to be the one to give it to her.
After a quiet drive, his mom pulled up in front of the house. “Let me know what time you want to meet for dinner.”
“She doesn’t want to see me, does she?”
Mom shook her head. “She pictured you one way, then discovered you were different, not to mention engaged. She’s confused.”
Tanner climbed out. “I guess I should stay away from the diner for a few days.”
“Let me know what you decide.” The window slid up, and Mom drove away.
He walked into the house, frustrated and confused. Until he’d officially broken off his engagement, he had no business chasing after Livvy.
After a shower, he called the office as he pulled a shirt off a hanger. “Nancy, I’m running a little late this morning.”
“Sir, I wasn’t sure if you were even coming in after, well, you know.” Sniffles sounded from the other end of the line.
He tried not to sound abrupt. “I am. What’s the schedule like this afternoon?”
“Clear.”
“Great. Don’t schedule anything.” He slipped on his jacket. “And thanks.”
Nancy had worked for his grandfather for fifteen years. How the woman put up with him, Tanner didn’t know, but he could tell she was taking the news hard. He’d make a point of giving her the afternoon off, maybe even the rest of the week, but he’d ensure her that her job wasn’t in jeopardy. She knew as much about the company as he did, just different aspects of it.
He shot off a text to his assistant: Mandy, running late but headed into the office.
Much later than he’d intended, he climbed into the car and backed out of the garage. Remembering that he’d forgotten a file, he pulled back into the driveway and ran back into the house. He almost stopped when he noticed Nellie’s Jeep coming up the street, but that would make him even later.
Chapter 16
Livvy parked the Jeep in the driveway and grabbed an armload of grocery bags. Fiddling with the key ring, trying to remember which one opened the front door, she glanced around at the houses nearby. It was a far cry from where she’d lived growing up. The Maserati in the next driveway made that clear.
After two trips, she’d unloaded everything. She’d put away the groceries first then made a schedule for cleaning the house. If she didn’t do a good job, she’d feel like she was accepting charity.
She wiped down the inside of the fridge as she arranged the groceries. The massive pantry would make organizing fun. With the food put away and a plan for dinner, Livvy loaded cleaning supplies into a bucket and set off to tackle bathrooms.
After a couple hours, the house sparkled. She put away the cleaning supplies, took a quick shower, and made herself a sandwich. Settled at the table with her books, she studied while she ate.
That evening, when Nellie and Coop walked into the kitchen, Livvy had food simmering on the stove and the table set for two.
“It smells amazing.” Nellie dropped her purse on the counter and glanced at the table. “Coop’s staying, so we’ll need an extra place.”
Before Livvy could explain that the plates were just for the two of them, Coop chuckled as he grabbed a plate and silverware. “Livvy, have you heard how Nellie and I met?”
She shook her head and sat down.
Nellie flashed Coop a goofy grin, which dripped with
affection. “My Jeep broke down right by his automotive shop.”
His eyes twinkled. “I fixed it and told her that if it gave her any more problems to come see me.”
“I took it back to the shop three times, thinking—pretending—I’d heard something.”
“I finally worked up the nerve to ask her out.” Coop pulled his gaze away from Nellie and served himself food.
“Did you know she was . . . rich?” Livvy winced as she heard her own words. She made having money sound like a disease.
“Nope. Probably a good thing. We’d been dating a little while before I was let in on that secret. By then, she could have told me she was from Jupiter, but it wouldn’t have mattered. I was smitten.”
Nellie passed the food around the table. “Before I forget. Don’t worry about dinner on Friday. We have the funeral that day. I’m guessing we’ll all gather at Mom and Dad’s afterward. You are welcome to come over.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sounds weird inviting you to a funeral.”
“We’ll see.” Livvy enjoyed spending time with the Davis family but wasn’t sure if she wanted—that wasn’t true. She wanted to see Tanner; she just wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
“I looked for that stuffed animal but didn’t find it.” Nellie had no idea how heartbreaking that news was.
“Thanks for looking.” Livvy willed herself not to cry.
On Wednesday, Livvy spent the afternoon studying, the large chunk of uninterrupted time a luxury she wasn’t used to. It had taken very little time to do the daily upkeep on the house and prep dinner.
Needing a stretch, she walked outside. The garden beds in front had a smattering of flowers competing with unwelcome weeds. She dropped to her knees and started yanking out anything she could pull with bare hands. She’d have to get garden gloves. Enjoying the sunshine, she worked her way through the beds, clearing them out.
Because of two impending tests and agreeing to cover a shift at the diner Thursday evening, Livvy wasn’t sure when she’d have time to get out and work in the beds again.
Next Door to the Billionaire Page 8
