Forgetting the Billionaire (A Clean Billionaire Romance Book 1) Read online

Priscilla sputtered. “Rich guy kissed you?”

  “Can you stop calling him “rich guy”? He has a name. And yes, he kissed me.”

  Priscilla’s hand went out. “Wait. So why did you run? I’d be celebrating.”

  “Because I’m with Alex now, and Mitchell’s engaged to be married.”

  Priscilla’s head whipped around to face Charlie. “What? Since when?”

  “Yesterday.” Charlie paused. “For both.”

  “Wow. That was fast.”

  Charlie chewed her lip. Yeah, it was. In fact, it was the exact thing she had been worried she might do. Jump into a relationship head first. What was she thinking?

  “So, you were running from Mitchell because he kissed you, but you’re dating Alex now?”

  Charlie nodded. “Right.”

  “And kissing another person was exactly what Alex did to you when he broke your heart.”

  She nodded again. “Right.”

  Priscilla pulled onto Highway Seventy. “What are you going to do?”

  Charlie wanted crawl into bed and never get out, but that wasn’t realistic. “I don’t know. It’s hard. He’s staying with me at the house.”

  “He’s what?” Priscilla’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Not like that. His grandma is Rose. That’s another reason why I’m such a jerk. Rose is finally starting to remember things and feeling motivated to get out of bed. If he called off his wedding for me, she’d be crushed.”

  Priscilla studied the road as she drove. “You can’t live your life hoping Rose might remember you. She wouldn’t want that,” she said as she pulled over as Charlie’s red car came into view.

  Charlie let out an exasperated sigh for two reasons. One, because deep down, she knew Priscilla was right. Rose wouldn’t want her to halt her life in anticipation of a few fleeting moments that may or may not come. And two, because Gordon Jones, the town’s sheriff, was out of his car and circling hers.

  “I know. Thanks for the ride. I’ll talk to you later,” Charlie said as she got out. Priscilla waved and pulled back onto the highway.

  “Hey, Gordon,” Charlie said as she walked up to him. Thunder rumbled above them as the clouds crept closer.

  “Charlie,” he said, tipping his hat. “What happened here?”

  “Car trouble.” It wasn’t the truth, but how was she going to explain to this man that she’d run off into the woods, blacked out, and was saved by a handsome, confusing man? Gordon would just look at her like she was crazy. “But it’s okay now.”

  Gordon eyed her. “You can’t just leave your car parked on the side of the road. If it’s working, you need to move it.” He tapped the paper pad he had in his hand with a pen.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I had to wait for a ride out here.”

  He ripped a ticket and handed it over. “Sorry, Charlie. I gotta write you up.”

  Charlie swallowed and nodded. Yet another bill she owed. They were starting to bury her. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  “You can always fight it,” he said as he headed over to his squad car and opened the door.

  Charlie nodded. She wouldn’t remember to do that. She’d just pay it and get it over with. Gordon got into his car, and she did the same. He pulled away, and she made sure to go in the opposite direction.

  Not sure what to do, she drove around the streets. She didn’t want to head back home just yet. What if Mitchell was there? Would he want to talk about the kiss?

  As she idled at a red light, she brought her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the warmth of his embrace. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she thought of his hands on her waist, wrapping her up, and taking away all the pain that ached her heart.

  A car honked.

  Charlie jumped and glanced up. The light was green, so she pressed on the gas pedal and waved to the driver behind her. She needed to get her head on straight and stop allowing Mitchell and his kiss to distract her. There were too many people in her life that would get hurt if she didn’t.

  After ten minutes of aimlessly driving around, Charlie made her way back to the house. The rain started to fall and splattered against the windshield. She parked the car and got out. Just as she was making her way toward the back door, Mitchell’s pink car pulled past.

  She fought the urge to sprint up the stairs and hide in her room. Before she could decide what to say to him, he got out of his car and walked straight over to her. There was pain and frustration written all over his face.

  “What was that, Charlie?” he said. His voice sounded as if his emotions were choking his throat.

  Rain fell on her face and rolled down her cheek. “What?” she asked. Even though she knew what he was talking about. Kisses like theirs only happened in the movies. There was something there, and it frightened her.

  “Why did you run away from me? I trusted you.” He pushed his hand through his damp hair.

  “Mitchell, I…” She stared at the ground. They couldn’t continue this. She needed to put a stop to it before she hurt everyone. “We can’t do this anymore. You’re here to see Rose and getting married will make her happy. Let’s not do something we might regret. Please,”—she swallowed— “just leave me alone.”

  The Adam’s apple in his throat rose and fell, and his eyes widened. “But—”

  “It’s what’s best for all of us. Who are we kidding? I’m with Alex, and I love him.” The words tasted wrong on her tongue.

  The rain fell harder now, drenching her hair, and causing her dress to stick to her legs. She was grateful for it though. The droplets hid the tears that ran down her face. Why was she so sad? This was the right thing to do. She should feel relief. “I’ll help you with the wedding, but after that, we’re done.”

  She wrapped her arms around her chest and headed into the house. Glancing behind her, she saw Mitchell standing there, staring at the ground. He hadn’t moved. Half of her wanted him to run after her. To scoop her up into his warm arms. The other half was relieved that he stayed where he was. She feared the pain that caring for him would bring. Walking away was the easiest solution.

  Once she was inside, she headed to her room and shut the door. The tears came more freely now. Stifling a sob, she pulled off her wet dress and slipped into her fleece pj’s. By the time she’d towel dried her hair and threw it up into a bun, her tears had subsided. Her bed beckoned her. Pulling the covers back, she crawled into it.

  There was a soft knock on her door. She flipped onto her other side and waited. If it was Mitchell, she didn’t want to talk to him.

  “Charlie?” Penny’s soft voice called from the other side.

  “Penny?” she asked, sitting up. “Come in.”

  Penny pushed the door open and walked in. Charlie must have looked like a mess because Penny’s face fell the minute she saw her.

  “What happened?” she asked as she crossed the room and sat on the bed.

  Charlie contorted her face, trying to stop the tears from starting up again. “I… it’s…” Her heart hurt. Her body hurt. She didn’t want to think about it anymore.

  Penny reached out and grasped her hand. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me right now.”

  Charlie pinched her lips together and nodded. She was thankful that Penny understood her so well.

  They sat in silence while Charlie composed herself. Once the threat of tears subsided, she smiled at Penny.

  “How did it go today?” she asked.

  Penny stared at her as if there was something she wanted to say. “It went well. Pretty quiet.” She pulled her hand away and studied them as they sat in her lap.

  “Penny, what happened?”

  Penny turned her hands around for a moment before she glanced back to her. “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Once you’ve had a good night’s sleep.” She reached out to pat Charlie’s leg.

  Charlie grabbed her hand. “Penny, tell me. What happened?” Her heart raced. Had something happened to Rose? To Francis?

  Penny hesitated as she s
tared at Charlie, then sighed. “The bank called today.”

  Charlie’s stomach plummeted.

  “They said the grace period has ended. They’re taking the house back at the end of the month.” Penny narrowed her eyes as if she were evaluating Charlie’s response.

  “Oh,” was all she could say.

  “I told them they must’ve be mistaken, but from the look on your face…they aren’t. Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?”

  Charlie stifled a sob. Perhaps, it would have better to discuss this when she had had a night to gain control of her emotions. “I didn’t want you guys to worry. I had it under control, but things got away from me.”

  Penny covered Charlie’s hand with hers. “You should have told us. We would’ve helped. This isn’t something you should have to carry on your own. I said it once and I’ll say it again, your grandmother never wanted this place to be a burden.”

  As much as she fought it, a sob emerged. “But she’s gone and this place is the only thing left to remind me of her. I can’t get rid of it.”

  Penny studied her. “I know it’s hard.” She paused as she glanced around the room. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk about this in the morning. We can’t solve the problem tonight.” She shot Charlie a small smile and stood.

  Charlie nodded. That sounded like a good idea. Once Penny shut her door, she buried herself under the covers. She’d stay there until her heart stopped breaking.

  16

  Mitchell

  Mitchell stood in front of the mirror with a towel wrapped around his waist. He was staring at his reflection through the steam that had built up from his shower. He pressed his fists down on the counter and stared at the faucet. His life was a gigantic mess.

  Pinching his lips together, he rolled his shoulders. He’d waited out in the rain for a good ten minutes. Part of him had hoped that Charlie would race from the house and jump into his arms. His heart pounded at the thought of his lips against hers.

  It was a kiss like no other. He had borne his soul to her. Told her things he couldn’t even tell his friends. Shown a part of himself that he’d hidden deep inside. The look in her eyes had told him everything he needed to know. She cared about him, so he leaned in.

  Growling, he pushed down on the countertop and stepped back. He was fighting the thought that he knew was there. He didn’t love Victoria. She had never made him feel this way. When he’d told her about his family, she’d grown silent as if she couldn’t handle the information and changed the subject.

  He scrubbed his stubble and swiped the fog from the mirror. His eyes peered back at him.

  “You know what this means, right?” he said to his reflection.

  He couldn’t say it out loud, but the words pounded in his skull. He was in love with Charlie. Deep, soul kicking love. There was nothing that he wanted more then to wrap her into his arms and take care of her. She saw him for who he really was. Not his money or his status, but for him.

  Grabbing his wet clothes, he pulled open the bathroom door and headed into his room. He dressed in his sweats and walked over to the bed. The stupid, lumpy mattress sagged as he sat down. Too worked up to sleep, he stood. He’d had enough of being idle. He needed a job.

  Back in the hall, he descended the stairs. At the bottom, he kept his gaze from falling on Charlie’s door. As much as he wanted to walk over and knock on it, she’d been clear— there was no way they could be together. It was pointless to hope.

  He walked toward the front door. All ten mattresses were stacked on top of each other in the front room. A smile twitched on his lips. He’d found his job.

  Grabbing the top mattress, he carried it up to his room. Resting it against his door frame, he walked over to his bed and stripped it of its sheets. Perhaps with a bit more gusto than necessary.

  After his mattress was replaced, he brought the old one down, grabbed the next one, and headed up to Victoria’s room. His muscles relaxed as he worked. All the tensions that had built up inside of him started to dissipate. With each door, he introduced himself to the resident. They were more than happy to let him in.

  Once their mattresses were switched, they shook his hand and he dragged the used one out.

  Rose didn’t recognize him when he entered. He was grateful for that. At this moment, he didn’t know if his heart could handle another round of “who are you?” She smiled at him when he left, and he promised her he would be back tomorrow.

  After nine of the ten mattresses were switched, he studied the last one. It was Charlie’s. Did he dare? He peered over to her shut door. He picked up and set the mattress down at least five times before he cursed at himself. He was being stupid. If he was going to get over her it needed to start now. He could be her friend.

  Yeah, right.

  He flexed his hands as he shook his head. No. He could do this. There was no way he’d lose her as a friend. Even if that meant pushing all his feelings down. Before he lost his nerve, he grabbed the mattress and headed to her room. He propped the it up with his knee and knocked.

  Silence.

  He waited then knocked again.

  Seconds ticked by, but then he finally heard movement on the other side. The door opened, and Mitchell sucked in his breathe. Charlie stood there, her hair pulled up into a bun, and her eyes red. She’d been crying.

  “Mitchell?” she asked as she wiped her cheeks. “I thought you were Penny.”

  He swallowed. The uncontrollable desire to take away all of her pain burned in his chest. “Sorry,” he said, hoping his voice wouldn’t give away his emotions. “Do you mind?” He nodded toward the mattress.

  Her face fell as she followed his gesture. “Sure,” she whispered.

  Stepping back, she pushed the door open. He grabbed the mattress and entered. It was small, like the other rooms, but this was the first room in the whole house that looked as if a younger woman lived there. The furniture was old, but the decorations were updated.

  Charlie stripped her bed and then stood in the corner, hugging the comforter and sheets as she watched him. He wanted to ask her if she was okay. He couldn’t stand her tear stained face. He hated that there was a chance he was the cause of it.

  After he put the new mattress down, Charlie walked over and began replacing the fitted sheet. He couldn’t help it. He reached down and tucked the sheet over the corner nearest him. As he pulled on it, it slipped off the side Charlie had just secured.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled as his face heated.

  She shook her head. “It’s okay. I’ve got this.” She reached out and replaced her side, but in the process, the corner Mitchell had just put on slipped off.

  Grabbing it, he replaced it. This time, with a bit more force. The corner Charlie had just fixed flew off and rested in the middle of the mattress.

  “I think your sheet’s broken,” he said, nodding toward the bed.

  Charlie chewed her lip. “I think it’s the mattress.”

  Mitchell humphed. That wasn’t it. “It’s a good mattress.” Why wouldn’t she just let him help her? Why did she have to be so tough all the time?

  “My other mattress didn’t do this.”

  He glanced over at the lumpy abomination she called a mattress. “That thing is like a hundred years old.”

  “It is not.” She walked over and placed her hand on it. “It’s a good mattress. Familiar.”

  Frustration tingled his spine. “Well, sometimes new isn’t bad either. This mattress will be good to you.” He sat down on the bed and stared at her.

  “I never asked for a new mattress. Maybe I don’t want it.” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Maybe you should give the new mattress a chance. You might like it better.”

  “Well…” Her gaze moved from the bed up to meet his. “The old mattress is what’s best for me right now.” Her voice lowered as she studied the floor. “I love the old mattress.”

  Mitchell had enough of this. She knew very well that this conversation had nothing to do with t
he new mattress. “I’m going to bed. I have a big day tomorrow. You know, I’m competing as a lumberjack.” He gave her a quick nod and slipped out the door.

  Up in his room, Mitchell flopped onto his bed. His mattress held its form as he stretched out across it. He didn’t know what Charlie was talking about. The new mattress was awesome.

  Grabbing his phone, he turned it on. He’d missed a text from Victoria.

  Wrapped things up here. Heading back tonight. Will be there in the morning.

  He contemplated texting her back, but knew she was in the air by now. There was no point. Instead, he clicked on the search tab and punched in “lumberjack competitions”.

  He spent the rest of the evening watching YouTube videos until he fell asleep.

  The morning sunlight burst into his window and fell onto his face. He’d spent the last half an hour trying to ignore it. Sighing, he threw off his covers and sat up. No point in trying to keep sleeping. He was actually looking forward to returning to New York where it wasn’t light all the time.

  Or maybe because Charlie wasn’t in New York.

  Before he allowed himself to delve into more thoughts about that aggravating woman who slept downstairs, he dressed and brushed his teeth.

  As he descended the stairs, laughter carried from the open kitchen door. Curious about who was here, he walked over and peered in.

  “Sweetheart!” Victoria exclaimed.

  Glancing over, he saw Charlie and Victoria sitting at the table with two coffee mugs in hand. Victoria stood, crossed the room, and practically jumped into his arms. After placing a sloppy kiss on his lips, she pulled away.

  “I missed you.” She gave him a huge smile.

  He fought the urge to push her away. It was way too early in the morning to be dealing with her brand of crazy. He glanced over at Charlie who was staring at her coffee as she made swirls in it with her spoon.

  “Did you miss me?” Victoria asked, an expectant look on her face.

  “Yeah.” He nodded and headed to the counter where he grabbed a mug and filled it. The hot liquid burned his throat, but he needed the pick-me-up it would give, so he downed it fast.