“We could. I’m pretty sure Nellie is fine with you coming to dinner whenever you want.”
“Maybe we could watch another Audrey Hepburn movie.”
Her eyes lit up. “Have you ever seen Charade?”
Tanner would do whatever possible to make sure he had that movie by tomorrow. “Not yet.”
Chapter 24
Seeing Tanner at dinner each evening, watching movies at his place, and lingering on the phone with him late at night did nothing to help keep her guard up or to keep her feelings in the friend zone. And she didn’t mind in the least. She hadn’t been this happy in a very long time.
One thing was certain—she was crazy excited about spending the day with him at the cabin.
Up before the sun, she texted Tanner: Ready whenever you are.
He must’ve been waiting near the phone. Meet you outside in five. We’ll grab breakfast & coffee on the way.
Four minutes later, Livvy slipped outside and jogged across the yard.
Tanner was already in the truck, grinning from ear to ear. “Good morning.”
“Hey. What’s on our to-do list?”
“Painting mostly.” He backed out of the driveway. “Thanks for coming today.”
Revealing her excitement probably wasn’t wise, but that didn’t stop her. “I’ve really been looking forward to this.”
When they got to the cabin, he taped off trim and windows, and she wiped down walls. It wasn’t long before they were both rolling paint onto the walls. He started on one side of the room; she started on the other. They worked their way toward each other.
After an hour of painting, the room looked entirely different.
She stretched her back. “I like this color.”
“Figured blue was better than white and maybe wouldn’t show dirt as much.” He seemed unaware of the paint splatter on his face.
She grabbed a rag and wet it. “You need this.”
“You can see the paint, so wipe away.”
She cleaned off the tiny spots. “All good now.”
He handed her a bottle of water. “Should we cut in first or have our first fishing lesson?”
“I’m not sure I’ll feel like painting after a lesson.” She remembered how it felt to be wrapped in his arms.
“I’ll grab the brushes.”
On the ladder, Tanner cut in along the ceiling. Sitting on the floor, Livvy cut in along the baseboards. While they painted, they talked. A never-ending game of truth passed the time.
When her phone rang, Livvy laid the paintbrush in in the tray and answered. “Hello?”
Her mom sobbed on the other end of the line.
“Mom? What’s wrong?” Livvy walked out to the porch and sat on the step, hoping the fresh air would help her breathe. “Please talk to me. Are you okay?”
“Leroy left. Drained my bank account.”
“What? When?” She ached for her mom but wasn’t sad that Leroy had moved on.
“He left a few days ago. I discovered that he’d cleaned out the account today. I’m going to be evicted if I can’t pay rent.” Mom’s words dissolved into wails.
“Don’t cry. I’ll see what I can do. I’m not sure I have enough, but we’ll figure something out.”
“I can’t take your money.”
“Be sure and change passwords on all the accounts, okay?”
“Already did.”
“Are you home? I can go over there.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Mom sniffled. “Talk to you later.” Just like that, she hung up.
Livvy buried her head in her hands. What would she do? She’d managed to save for classes next semester and almost had enough for a car, but her mom needed the money.
The porch creaked, and Tanner sat next to Livvy. Even with the sun still up, it reminded her of that night weeks ago.
“You okay?” He rubbed her back.
She nodded. “Leroy left and took Mom’s money with him. She can’t afford next month’s rent. Luckily, I have enough saved up.”
“Livvy—”
“Please don’t offer, Tanner.” She wouldn’t ask him for money. That reeked of everything she never wanted to be. “And don’t say anything to Nellie.”
He met her gaze. “Why won’t you let us help you?”
“Promise me.” Livvy didn’t want to explain that her mom had bounced from man to man, in search of deeper pockets or that she’d made friends solely on the basis of what she could get from them.
“I won’t tell Nellie.” He stood up and stuck his hand out. “Let’s put the paint away, then we can go.”
“She said she’d be fine.”
“You don’t want to go check on your mom?”
“You don’t mind?” Livvy slipped her hand in his, accepting the help to get up.
He pulled her close. “I don’t mind.”
“Thank you.” She pushed away and headed inside to rinse out brushes.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES later, Livvy hopped out of the truck and ran to the door. After knocking multiple times, she dialed her mom, who answered right away.
Livvy asked, “Hey, where are you?”
“Mary called. We are about to get our nails done then we’re going to grab dinner.”
“You’re okay?”
“Of course, love. You’re right. I shouldn’t worry. We’ll figure it out. Gotta go. It’s my turn.” The call ended.
Livvy trudged back to the truck. Embarrassed at her mom’s choices, she didn’t know what to tell Tanner.
“No one’s home?” He dropped his phone into the center console.
“A friend called her, and they went out. I’m sorry we left early.”
“No worries. What do you say to an early dinner?”
“I’m covered in paint.”
“Then let’s go get cleaned up first. Maybe Nellie and Coop will want to join us.” That twinkle appeared in Tanner’s eye.
She loved that look. Inviting Nellie and Coop along made it seem more like a double date, and Livvy discovered that she didn’t mind all that much. “That’d be fun.”
AFTER A QUICK SHOWER, Livvy tried on several outfits before settling on a short cotton dress. Paired with sandals, it looked cute. She applied her makeup and ran down the stairs, hoping she hadn’t taken too much time getting ready.
“You clean up nice.” Tanner jumped to his feet, grinning. “Nellie’s getting ready, and Coop’s on his way over.”
While he always looked amazing in a suit, she preferred him as he was dressed then, in jeans and an untucked button-down shirt. She glanced down at his boots. Checking him out poked holes in her friends-only limitations, but she made the exception.
He cleared his throat, and she met his gaze.
Nellie joined them, interrupting Tanner and Livvy’s mutual appreciation. “Coop just pulled up. Tanner, mind if we take your car?”
“Fine with me.” He stepped up behind Livvy. “Ready?”
Nodding, she reined in her emotions.
He’d listened when she asked him not to offer to pay her mom’s rent, but Livvy was afraid that her mom’s behavior would change the way Tanner felt about the idea of a relationship.
She couldn’t deny that being around him made her happy, deliriously happy.
Jolted out of her thoughts, she jumped when he touched the back of her arm.
“You missed a tiny spot. Either that, or you’re turning blue.”
She twisted her arm, trying to see the spot.
“Let me.” He ran into the kitchen and returned with a wet rag. “Hold still.”
His touch felt so good, she wished that he’d discover more missed paint. “Thanks.”
“Let’s go.” With a hand on the small of her back, Tanner followed her out the door.
AT A CORNER TABLE IN a local barbeque place, Livvy sipped her tea as Coop and Tanner swapped stories about practical jokes gone bad.
“And none of those will happen at the wedding, right?” Nellie looked from Tanner to Coop.
> Coop kissed her cheek and grinned. “Three more weeks. I’ll keep your brother in line. Livvy will help, won’t ya?”
“I can try. Not sure he’ll listen to me.”
Nellie wadded up her napkin and tossed it at Tanner. “I’m pretty sure he’ll do just about whatever you ask.”
“Is it that obvious?” He poked Livvy in the arm. “She’s right.”
Kissing him became the singular thought in her head.
Changing the topic was the safest course of action. “Coop, I finally got my check. Any chance you’d help me find a reliable car in my price range?”
Coop draped his arm around Nellie. “Absolutely. Tanner would be good to ask, too. I can make sure the car is in good mechanical shape, but he can find deals like no one I’ve ever met.”
She anticipated the twinkle, and she wasn’t disappointed. “Will you help me?”
“Just say when.” Tanner melted her heart.
Coop tapped the table. “What’s your price range?”
Almost embarrassed at how little she had compared to Tanner and Nellie, Livvy hesitated. “Not a lot. With the check and what I’ve saved—not counting what I need for classes next semester—I have about eight thousand.”
He nodded. “We can definitely find something good in that price range.”
“But I have to wait. I might have to help my mom. I’ll let you know in about a week.” Livvy relished the feel of Tanner’s hand on her shoulder. “But I don’t want to mess up your schedule or wedding plans.”
The timing was horrible. The wedding was in three weeks, then Nellie and Coop would be gone for two months.
Nellie leaned forward. “Why not wait until we get back? Someone needs to drive the Jeep while I’m gone.”
“Are you sure? I feel like I’m being an imposition.” Livvy couldn’t even look in Tanner’s direction.
“You aren’t.” Nellie stood up, her cup in hand. “I’d tell you if you were. I promise.”
Coop followed as she walked away to refill her drink.
Livvy relaxed a bit. Having more time before she had to buy a car meant she’d have more time to save up.
“Livvy, I’m not expecting an answer today or even this week.” Tanner grasped her hand. “Will you be my date to their wedding? At least think about it before saying no.”
“I don’t need to think about it, Tanner.” She didn’t allow herself time to second-guess her answer. “I’ll be your date.”
“Really?”
She nodded at their joined hands. “I was hoping you’d ask.”
He beamed. “It’ll be great.”
“I hope so.” A glimpse of forever with him flashed in her head, and the idea didn’t make her run away. She squeezed his hand. “I really do.”
TANNER WAS A REGULAR at dinner all week. Livvy loved hearing him gush with compliments about her food. She scoured through recipes, finding foods she knew he’d like. They hadn’t made time for his cooking lesson, but Livvy figured after the wedding would be better. Living next door to each other, they’d have lots of time.
After class on Thursday, she stopped at the coffee shop, wanting a different place to study. Half-way through the chapter, a laugh chilled her.
Angela stood at the counter.
Livvy slid down in her chair, wishing she had the Hobbit’s ring. She wanted to be invisible. Nose buried in her book, she listened rather than read.
“Hello.”
Pretending she didn’t hear the woman standing right next to the table would be stupid, but Livvy considered it—only for a second. “Hi.”
“It was good of you to give Tanner that ring. It made its way back to where it belongs.” Angela waved her fingers in the air, the rock glittering on her hand.
“Oh.” Livvy sounded illiterate with her one-word answers, but if she said more, it wouldn’t be nice.
“See you around, kid.” Angela picked up her drink and strolled out of the coffee shop, nose pointed toward the sky.
Livvy hoped for rain.
She stayed a few minutes longer then raced back to the house. When she got home, Nellie was sitting in the kitchen.
“Guess who I bumped into.” Livvy inhaled, trying to calm down.
“By the look on your face, I’m guessing not someone nice. Who?”
“Angela.”
“Oooh.”
She pointed at her ring finger. “She was wearing the ring. Waved it in my face.”
“She’s lying.” Nellie rubbed her temples. “And crazy. Tanner is not back together with her.”
“I know he’s not.” Livvy didn’t think that at all. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“Good. As long as you know that, we can deal with the rest. Do you want to tell him or should I?”
“I will. And Nellie...”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.” Livvy hugged Nellie. “You’re like the big sister I never had.”
“I like that sister part, and don’t say never. It’s still a possibility.”
Chapter 25
Tanner closed his office door. Wrapping up his grandfather’s projects had taken weeks, and Tanner expected they’d be on his agenda for months to come. His grandfather had lived and breathed the business.
He’d always said that there was only one thing he loved more than the company—his wife. She died before Tanner was born, but from what he’d heard, most people didn’t believe his grandfather’s assertion.
Tanner wished he’d gotten the chance to know her.
Mandy, his assistant, knocked. Keeping his grandfather’s assistant, Nancy, on staff meant that Tanner had two assistants, which had worked out rather well for the short term. Long-term, he might have to choose between them, and he wasn’t looking forward to that.
He straightened papers and shifted a stack to the corner of his desk. “Come in.”
“Your sister is here, and Mr. Withers is on line two.” Always smiling, Mandy’s expression didn’t give any warning about what to expect from Lance Withers.
“Tell Nellie to come on in. I’ll take the call.” Tanner waved at his sister and picked up the receiver. “Hello, Lance. What can I do for you?” He hadn’t heard from Angela’s father since the night at his parents’ house. All talk of forming a partnership had been dropped.
“I was hoping we could schedule a meeting next week. Pick up where your grandfather and I left off.”
“What day were you thinking? We can get something on the calendar.” Tanner wondered what prompted the change.
“Thursday? Glad to hear you’ve cleared your head. Losing your grandfather must have come as a real shock.” Mr. Withers was trying to make a point, but Tanner didn’t know what it was.
“It was very unexpected. He’ll be greatly missed. I have openings at eleven and two.” Tanner shrugged and rolled his eyes for his sister’s benefit.
“Two works. And, Tanner, I haven’t seen Angela this happy in a long time.”
He wasn’t sure how to respond to the comment. “I’m glad she’s happy.”
“See you Thursday.”
“Looking forward to it.” Tanner hung up, confused. “That was Lance Withers. He wants to meet to ‘pick up where he and Grandfather left off’ as he put it. After the scene at Mom and Dad’s and ignoring Angela’s calls, I never expected to hear from him again. Anyway, what’s up with you?”
“Coop and I are meeting his parents for dinner tonight.”
“Okay? Am I missing something? As siblings, we’re close, but you don’t usually run your daily schedule by me.”
“Have dinner with Livvy.”
“I was hoping to, but now I’m curious.” He crossed his arms and leaned back. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure what she’s afraid of. I think maybe the money scares her, but . . . I just don’t want to see her slip away.”
“I don’t want that either.” Tanner tapped out a text: Mind if I come for dinner tonight? Will there be enough?
“You texted her?”
Surprise me. He wondered what she’d make. “And now I have plans for dinner.”
“Good. Don’t mess this up.” Nellie jumped up. “I gotta run. I’m late meeting Coop.” She stood at the door and stared at Tanner before leaving.
“Something you aren’t telling me?”
“Yep. You’ll find out soon enough. I promised I wouldn’t.” She waved and ran down the hall.
Friday was turning out to be a string of oddities.
Two hours later, he sent Nancy and Mandy home early, then headed out of the office, but he stopped on the way home and picked up a bouquet of orange roses.
At the house, after a quick change, he hurried next door.
Livvy opened the door, brushing flour off her face. “Come in. I’m a mess. Chicken fried steak will be done soon.”
“Wow. You made my favorite.”
“And hash browns.”
Tanner loved that she remembered what he’d ordered that night at the diner. “Thanks.”
Before rushing back to the stove, Livvy stepped toward him then hesitated. “I’m glad you came tonight.” She stretched up and gave him a quick hug.
“I’m glad we get a night with just the two of us.” He caught her hand as she stepped away and followed her into the kitchen. “I think you’re even cuter with flour on your face.”
A slight smile was her only response to his compliment. She swiped at her face again, leaving more flour than she wiped off. “Have a seat. What can I get you to drink?”
“You don’t have to wait on me. I’ll get it. What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
Tanner barely tempered the urge to surprise her with a kiss. “Oh. Hang on a second. I’ll be right back.” He rushed out of the house and back to his place. The roses sat on the counter right where he’d left the vase. In such a hurry to see Livvy, he’d walked off without them.
He called out as he pushed open the door at Nellie’s. “It’s me.”
She poked her head out of the kitchen. “Where’d you—” Her eyes went wide, and her kissable lips curved into a smile.
Next Door to the Billionaire (Bluebonnets & Billionaires, #1) Page 13
