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

by Carrington, Remi

  That thought lasted until she climbed into the Jeep, and she tore it open.

  I’ll talk to Angela tonight. I thought waiting until after the funeral was a good idea, but I wish I hadn’t. I’m sorry.

  Once I’ve officially ended it, will you give us a chance?

  Livvy ran her finger over his phone number at the bottom of the note, tears escaping despite her best efforts. After tossing the note aside, she backed out of the driveway and cried all the way to class.

  Chapter 17

  Tanner tried to ignore the reporters lingering at the edge of the crowd as Angela looped her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder.

  He focused on the minister’s words, trying not to think about what he’d say to her later.

  In spite of all his grandfather’s shortcomings and skewed views of life, the man would be missed. Watching the casket lowered into the ground wrapped Tanner in a grief he hadn’t expected, maybe even a grief for what could have been.

  And then as if the weather shared the emotions of the family, a light rain began to fall. Angela held her purse over her head and dashed for the car. Within minutes, only Tanner, his family, Coop, and the minister stood near the gravesite.

  In the gentle rain, the minister prayed, creating a moment Tanner would never forget.

  AT THE HOUSE, A FEW friends and acquaintances lingered, making it difficult to talk with Angela. Breaking it off would catch her off-guard, and while—even in spite of her cheating—Tanner didn’t want to hurt her, he couldn’t go through with the wedding.

  In the kitchen, he poured himself a fresh cup of coffee, almost convinced that he should wait until the next day to end the engagement. But what he heard walking back into the living room helped make up his mind.

  “What happened to your ring?” Mr. Withers must have been distracted all week.

  Angela met Tanner’s gaze as he stepped into the room. “Someone stole it. I filed a report and gave the police a description this morning before the funeral.”

  Tanner handed his mom the mug as he tugged keys out of his pocket. “I’m sorry, Mom, but I’ve got to go check on Livvy.” He glanced back before running out the door. “Filing a false report is a crime. The engagement is off.” He didn’t turn around even though Mr. Withers shouted and Angela wailed.

  In the car, Tanner raced to the diner. He didn’t have any idea where Livvy was staying, but all Angela knew was that Livvy worked at the diner, so that was where he went.

  The hostess put up one finger as he walked in. “Be with you in a second, hun.” She seated a family, then made her way back to the front. “How many?”

  “Is Livvy working tonight?” He didn’t have time for chit chat.

  “She doesn’t work here anymore, but it’s funny. Police were in here a while ago, looking for her.”

  “What did you tell them?” Unpleasant words he wanted to hurl at Angela raced through his brain.

  “That she didn’t work here anymore. And I gave them her number.”

  He ran back out to the car and yanked out his phone to call Nellie, hoping she’d know where he could find Livvy, but before he dialed, the phone started ringing in his hand.

  Angry and frustrated, he answered the number he didn’t recognize. “Hello?”

  “Tanner, I’m sorry to bother you. I know you had the funeral today, but would you please tell the police that I didn’t steal that ring?” Livvy’s voice caught on the last word.

  “Let me talk to them. Where are you?”

  “At the station downtown.”

  He held his breath, holding back his anger. The police hadn’t done anything wrong, and yelling at them would only make things worse.

  A man’s voice came on the line. “Mr. Davis?”

  “Yes. Tanner Davis. She didn’t steal the ring. I have it.”

  “If you could just come down to the station, we can get this all cleared up.”

  “Do you need me to bring the ring?”

  “It wouldn’t hurt.”

  “I’ll be there soon. Please tell her I’m on my way. Please.”

  Before pulling out of the lot, he called Nellie using Bluetooth. “Please apologize to Mom and Dad. I feel bad about leaving the way I did, but there is no excuse for what Angela did.”

  “Calm down. I think throwing them out was therapy for Mom. Listen—”

  “I can’t really talk right now. I’m headed downtown to the station. Livvy’s there.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “She called me, Nellie. She needs me. I’ll call you later.”

  It would take him more than a half-hour to get downtown, and that was only if he didn’t hit traffic, but he sped to his house to get the ring before heading to the station.

  When he finally made it downtown forty minutes later, the detective ushered him into a room without giving Tanner even a moment to see Livvy.

  “You say the ring wasn’t stolen. It seems your fiancée thought otherwise. We are following up on her complaint.”

  “She’s no longer my fiancée, and Angela knew I had the ring. She knew it wasn’t stolen.”

  “If she knew you had it, why did she report it stolen?” The detective scribbled in a notepad.

  “To cause trouble for Livvy. To get back at me.”

  “Why didn’t Ms. Campbell just give Ms. Withers the ring, or contact her to pick it up from the diner?”

  “Angela was with another guy at the diner—someone named Daryl. Livvy overheard their conversation, and since she knew Angela was engaged to me, it made the whole thing with the ring awkward. I was a regular at the diner on Friday nights, so Livvy gave it to me.”

  The detective nodded and kept writing. “You brought the ring?”

  Tanner laid it on the table.

  The detective whistled. “I can’t imagine someone forgetting that. But it matches the description. I’ll be back in just a minute.” He left the room, presumably to let Angela know the stolen ring had been found—or however he planned to word it.

  Tanner only waited a few minutes.

  “Thank you for coming in to clear things up.” The detective handed Tanner the ring. “I’ll walk you out.”

  “Where’s Ms. Campbell?”

  “She just left.”

  Tanner didn’t understand. He’d rushed down to help her, and she left without even seeing him. When he got to his car, he texted her: I’m so sorry. Are you okay?

  Her reply popped up almost instantly: Thank you.

  After checking the time, he called Angela.

  “Tanner, baby. I’m so sorry. Will you forgive me?”

  “Angela, it isn’t going to work. You only accepted my proposal because it was good for business, and I think that’s the only reason I asked.”

  She sniffled. “I do care about you.”

  “There is more to life than business.” Tanner hung up before she could say anything more.

  A text popped up on his screen: You’ll change your mind.

  He wouldn’t.

  Chapter 18

  Livvy parked in the driveway and texted Nellie: Don’t know if Tanner told you what happened, but I’m home now.

  Wiping tears, Livvy climbed out of the Jeep and ran to the front door. She wasn’t prepared to talk to anyone and hoped the house was empty.

  As she stuck her key in the front door, a car she’d seen earlier in the week pulled into the driveway next door. Livvy froze when Tanner stepped out. She ducked into the shadows and held her breath.

  Dressed in a suit, he stood on the porch, unlocking the front door.

  She hoped she couldn’t be seen, but nothing could make her look away. He’d set her heart racing in jeans and a t-shirt; dressed up, he had the same effect.

  And he’d come to her rescue. Again.

  All the looks between Nellie and her mom made sense. So that’s the big secret. Tanner lives next door.

  If Livvy hadn’t landed in the best job possible, she’d be tempted to quit. But as long as Tanner
didn’t know where she was, avoiding him would be easy. That was a lie. Avoiding him was heart-wrenching, but Livvy was afraid to give him a chance.

  Once he closed his door, she hurried inside. There was little she could do to keep her mind off the billionaire next door. Her fingers—without consulting her brain—shot off a text to Tanner: I got your note. I’ll think about it.

  I broke it off with Angela. Are you safe? Poor Tanner was probably picturing her asleep in the recesses of the library.

  Livvy could see his house from her bedroom window, not that she was looking. That would be weird. Setting his mind at ease was the least she could do. I found a great new job and a really nice place to live. I’m not sleeping in the library, and I didn’t move back home.

  She crawled into bed, deciding to keep her discovery to herself. Nellie wasn’t the only one who could keep a secret.

  Tanner texted again: I miss you.

  A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEN Livvy was cleaning and dusting the blinds, she found a spot in the dining room, where if she stood in just the right place by the window, she could see Tanner’s driveway and front door. Those blinds quickly became the cleanest thing in the house. Every time she saw him, her resolve to stay away crumbled a bit more.

  For the rest of the week, not a day went by that she didn’t think about Tanner and fight the urge to message him, agreeing to give the relationship a chance. One thing held her back. The money. It created a world removed from anything she knew, and she didn’t want to be like her mother.

  On Saturday, Livvy crossed her legs, her books spread out in front of her on the bed.

  Nellie appeared in the doorway. “You sure you won’t come? I know he’d be happy to see you.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Livvy wasn’t sure how she’d get any studying done. “Don’t forget the Oreo Icebox Cake. It’s in the fridge.”

  “Call me if you change your mind, and I’ll give you directions.” Nellie still had no clue that Livvy knew the secret.

  She sank back against the pillows. If she was honest with herself, which was a dangerous game, it wasn’t just his money that scared her, but the idea that once the initial infatuation faded, he wouldn’t want her.

  Getting to know him was the only way to gauge if his interest was real, but that option risked her heart getting broken.

  Pushing aside thoughts of Tanner, she chewed her pencil while reading through her notes. Reviewing the chapter and rewriting the notes with added detail helped her remember the material.

  Time evaporated as she studied.

  A splash caught her attention. Laughter followed.

  She peeked around the edge of the curtain. Tanner stood next to his pool, dripping wet. Why did he have to be so amazing?

  Pulling her focus away from Tanner, she scanned the yard. Nellie lay in a lounge chair, a drink in her hand. When she very subtly lifted the glass, Livvy jerked away from the window.

  She’d been spotted.

  AFTER DISCOVERING THAT Tanner lived next door, Livvy was much more careful about her goings and comings, and she never answered the door. That day, when someone knocked, she stopped on the stairs and waited for Nellie to answer it, debating whether to stay put or head back up to the bedroom.

  “Hey.” Tanner sounded weary and tired.

  Nellie asked, “It’s all official?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Nellie, if you want your job back, it’s yours. I hope you know that.”

  “I’ll think about it. Come on into the kitchen. I’ll warm you something.”

  “That’d be great. I’m starved.”

  Footsteps faded, and Livvy could no longer hear what was said.

  As close as Nellie and Tanner seemed, why she would keep such a secret befuddled Livvy. Grateful, she didn’t complain, but it left her curious.

  Seated at the top of the stairs, she waited, reading on her phone and hoping to hear a bit more before he went home. It was more than half an hour before Tanner could be heard again.

  “That was good.” Tanner’s voice startled her. “When did you learn to cook like that?”

  “I’ve got my secrets.” Nellie had quite the sense of humor.

  Tanner sighed. “Have you heard from her?”

  There was little doubt who he meant. Livvy held her breath, wondering how Nellie would respond.

  “She’s okay.”

  “If you see her, tell her I miss her.” He made it hard to stay hidden.

  A WEEK LATER, LIVVY flipped through her notebook, hunting for the notes she’d taken in class. After filling her spiral, she’d taken notes on a single piece of paper. She remembered tucking it in her notebook. Where was it?

  The only thing she could figure was that it fell out in the Jeep. Keys in hand, she ran out the door without checking the driveway next door, and she didn’t even bother to close the front door all the way. That was her mistake. After more than a week of not bumping into Tanner, she’d let her guard down.

  With the Jeep’s door open, she scoured the seat and floorboards searching for the stray page.

  Behind her, a door slammed. Livvy launched into the Jeep and pulled the door closed. Had he seen her?

  Curled up on the floorboard, she listened, trying to decide if it was safe to take a peek. After a minute of quiet, she shifted up just enough to peer out the window.

  He stood on the porch—not on his porch.

  Livvy jerked back down when he glanced toward the driveway. Braving another look, she inched up.

  Tanner knocked on the front door, and it swung open. “Nellie?”

  Livvy kicked herself for not closing it as she watched him disappear into the house. She couldn’t go back inside, but she didn’t have her purse or shoes. She only had keys.

  Keeping her head down, she slid into the driver’s seat, keeping an eye on the front door. Without shoes on, she didn’t want to stray far, but she started the engine and backed out of the driveway.

  Tanner ran out of the house as Livvy turned the corner.

  She drove a couple of blocks, then circled back and parked along the curb, giving her a vantage point where she could see both front doors.

  He stood in the yard, focused on his phone, probably texting Nellie. He loosened his tie and ran his fingers through his hair. A few strands stayed sticking up, and Livvy itched to comb them back down into place.

  Slouched down, she watched as he walked in and out of the house. A knock on the window startled her. Hesitantly, she opened it. “Yes?”

  An older woman with loose grey curls, glanced at Tanner. “He’s a cutie. You should just go talk to him.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to avoid.”

  “Is he after you? Dangerous? We should call the police.”

  “No!” Livvy didn’t want Tanner in trouble. “He’s not at all dangerous. He’s just—it’s complicated.”

  “Then we should talk about it over tea. Come inside.” The woman started up the walkway.

  Livvy slid out of the Jeep as Tanner walked back into Nellie’s place. She might as well pour her heart out to a stranger over a cup of tea. She couldn’t go back to Nellie’s for a while.

  “My name’s Verbena. This is my son’s house. He works too much, so it’s nice to have company.”

  “I’m Livvy.”

  “Mint, orange, or chamomile?”

  “Chamomile, please.” Livvy hoped it would calm her. “Is it just the two of you?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. The man has more money than he needs, but he can’t find a wife. He’s probably not even looking. Maybe, if you and your cutie can’t sort things out, you might like to meet Austin.”

  “I’m not sure.” Livvy figured it was too late to run back out the door.

  “I didn’t figure. You’ve got your eyes set on the cutie. I understand.” Verbena set the tea kettle on the stove. “While the water heats, tell me about you—not about him—about you.”

  “I—uh . . . I work at t
hat house, cooking and cleaning. And I take classes.”

  “Any family?”

  “My mom. She’s upset with me for moving out.” Livvy watched out the window as Tanner closed Nellie’s front door. “She had a boyfriend that I didn’t like, so I moved out without saying anything. Told her after I’d found a place.”

  Verbena eyed her. “You haven’t mentioned your father.”

  “He died about ten years ago.” Livvy wiped at spontaneous tears.

  “I’m sorry, dear.” Verbena jumped up and grabbed the whistling tea kettle. She poured steaming water into fancy teacups. “So, now that we have our tea, tell me about the cutie.”

  “His name is Tanner.” Livvy bounced her tea bag up and down. “You want the short version or the long version?”

  “Whichever.”

  “He was engaged to someone else, but I think he broke it off. I know he broke it off.”

  “Oh my. That is complicated.”

  “And he’s too rich.” Livvy shook her head. “That sounds so rude.”

  Verbena laughed. “But he is good-looking.”

  “Very.”

  “Is he looking for you?” She sipped tea out of her dainty cup.

  “He doesn’t know I live there, but he wants to see me.”

  “Looks like he’s leaving.”

  The sting of disappointment surprised Livvy. “I miss seeing him.”

  The china clinked as Verbena set her cup on the saucer. “How did you meet him?”

  Livvy launched into the tale of when she’d first met Tanner, recounting every detail of that day. “Then I saw him again weeks ago when he came into the diner for pie. Every Friday for weeks, he’d show up, and we’d chat a little. Then I saw his engagement photo, and his fiancée showed up with her other boyfriend and forgot her ring on the table. I should’ve given it back to her, but she left before I could—sort of. When Tanner came in, I didn’t give him the ring, so I followed him to his cabin.”

  “And you gave it to him?”