Forgetting the Billionaire (A Clean Billionaire Romance Book 1) Page 6

  “Ah, that’s where that was. I’m in desperate need.”

  “I’d say. You’re up early.”

  “Actually, it’s eleven o’clock in New York.” He began searching the cupboards, but stopped once he’d found the mugs. “Want one?”

  She nodded and started the coffee maker.

  They sat at the table while they waited for it to finish.

  Charlie tried to keep her gaze from his face, but she was unsuccessful. Especially when he was smiling like that.

  “Did you sleep well?” She prayed making conversation would help distract her.

  He shrugged. “Wasn’t a five-star hotel, but it wasn’t bad. I did struggle with how bright it was.”

  “Yeah. You gotta get used to that here.”

  He smiled at her again.

  “And Victoria? Is she up yet?” She needed to remind herself that he had a girlfriend.

  “Naw, I don’t think so. She was never the early riser type.”

  Charlie traced the wood grain table top with her finger. “How long have you two been together?”

  “A year. But her family has been friends with mine since we were teens.” He leaned back and rested his hands behind his head.

  They had a history. A twinge of pain pounded in Charlie’s heart. “That’s nice. I’ve always been a fan of those type of love stories.” Gah, why did she sound so dumb? She stood and made her way over to the coffee that was brewing.

  “I wouldn’t classify what we have as a love story.” Thankfully, Mitchell had remained seated at the table.

  “Oh?” she said.

  “In fact, I’ve been thinking lately that perhaps we’re not—”

  “Are you going to introduce her to Rose?” Charlie wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear the end of that sentence. She didn’t want him to give her false hope.

  Mitchell studied her for a moment then shrugged. “Not sure yet.”

  Once the coffee pot was full, Charlie pulled it out and filled up each mug. “Do you like it black?” She moved over to the table.

  Mitchell nodded and took it from her. They sat in silence, each sipping at the steaming liquid.

  Penny walked in a few minutes later. She had on a flowy floral dress and a pair of black rimmed glasses. She smiled at Charlie then over to Mitchell. “How’d you sleep?” she asked as she filled up a mug and sat next to Charlie.

  Mitchell twisted his head and rolled his shoulders. “It was a bit lumpy, but I slept well.”

  Charlie’s face heated. This was the first time she’d ever been embarrassed by this place. Mitchell seemed to like nice things. No doubt he stayed in places that worried about their amenities and not missing residents. Just another reason why she should push the thoughts of being with him out. He’d never want to stay here and that was all she wanted to do.

  A thundering sound came from outside the dining room and drew their attention toward it. It grew louder until Victoria burst through the door. She had green goop on her face, and her hair was pulled up into a messy bun. She didn’t even acknowledge anyone as she raced over to the coffee pot and filled a mug.

  “Good morning, Victoria,” Charlie said as she stood and made her way to the sink and rinsed her cup.

  Victoria groaned as she peered at Charlie from over the rim of the mug.

  “Sleep well?” Mitchell asked.

  “Who’s this?” Penny asked, looking over to Mitchell.

  “She’s my girlfriend who decided to drop in from New York,” he said.

  The more he said girlfriend, the easier it was for Charlie to hear. It helped put distance between the two of them, and what had almost happened last night.

  Victoria lowered the mug and set it on the counter. She pushed her hand into her lower back. “That mattress is awful. You should burn it. No one in their right mind should sleep on it.”

  “Vic!” Mitchell hissed as he shot Charlie an apologetic look.

  “It’s okay. I understand. Except, we can’t really afford new mattresses here. And on the island, we try to use things until they wear out.”

  Victoria rolled her shoulders. “Well, from the knots in my back I’d say, it’s worn out. Do you have a masseuse here?”

  Was she kidding? Charlie just told her that they couldn’t afford new mattresses. How would they afford a masseuse? “Naw. Can’t afford those either.”

  “Hmm. Maybe we can find one we when go out today. You are taking me shopping, right?” Her gaze fell to Mitchell who glanced over at Charlie.

  “Well, I promised Charlie I’d see parts of the island—”

  “It’s okay,” Charlie said. “You should go out with Victoria. There are lots of fun shops around here.” She was grateful that this gave them a reason not to go out today.

  He raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”

  Charlie pinched her lips together and nodded. “Totally sure. Go with Victoria. Have fun. Besides, I have to head out and find another job.”

  Mitchell’s face fell. “Charlie, I—”

  She raised her hand. “It’s okay. Really, I’m over it.” And that was the truth. There was something about his half-smile and the sweet way he spoke to Francis yesterday that helped push out all the frustration she’d felt from the day before.

  Before she delved into the ridiculous fantasies about the two of them, she excused herself to get ready in her room. Victoria had settled in next to Mitchell, and Penny was pulling bacon and eggs out of the fridge to get started on breakfast.

  Back in her room. Charlie pulled her hair out of the bun and shook out the waves. She switched her top a few times until she decided to forgo her normal jeans and shirt for a deep blue sundress. From the light that burst into her bedroom, today might actually stay sunny. She welcomed its brightness. It helped lighten her mood. Slipping on a pair of sandals, she pulled open her door.

  Once again, Mitchell stood on the other side of it with his hand raised.

  She squeaked and jumped back.

  He smiled. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  She leaned against the doorframe hoping she looked casual. “It’s okay. Did you knock?”

  “No. I was about to.”

  She pinched her lips together. “Did you need something?”

  He pulled out his phone. “I figured that I should get your number in case Victoria gets bored and my afternoon frees up.”

  She grabbed her purse and stack of resumes from the dresser next to the door and nodded. “Okay.” She rattled off her number, and he punched it into his phone.

  As he tucked the phone back into his jeans, he turned to her. “Hopefully, she doesn’t take a long time.”

  Charlie pushed past him and shut her door. “It’s fine. I was only going to take you to Totem Pole park. But it’ll be there tomorrow.”

  “Totem Pole park, huh? Sounds fun.”

  “It is.” Charlie stopped and turned. “Make sure you see Rose today. Even though she thinks you’re your father, you never know what might trigger her memory. And trust me, you’d hate yourself if you missed it.” She hated leaving Rose and Francis every day, but this place needed to stay open. She had to risk missing when they remembered every time she stepped from the house.

  “I will. I promise.” He leaned forward, but Charlie took a step back.

  She smiled at him, hoping he didn’t notice. “Good.” She grabbed her purse strap. “Well, I should go.”

  He nodded. “I’ll call you if my plans change.”

  Once she was in the car, she placed her purse and resumes on the seat next to her and took a deep breath. She needed to be careful. Relationships never ended well for her, and she couldn’t put herself through that kind of heart break again. Especially not when the guy was already spoken for.

  8

  Mitchell

  After returning to the kitchen, breakfast dragged on. Mitchell found himself missing Charlie. She wasn’t there to brighten up the room.

  Victoria chatted about the newest remodel of her New York flat, and
Penny tried to feign interest. Thankfully, Victoria didn’t notice and seemed content to hear herself talk. Other residents slipped into the kitchen for breakfast and out again. Penny explained that most of them had families or a job around town, so rarely stuck around.

  Once Victoria started in on the remodels she had planned for Mitchell’s office, Penny excused herself to go check on Francis and Rose. She left the kitchen a little too quickly for someone her age.

  When they were finished with breakfast, Mitchell stood and washed both dishes. Victoria remained next to him, inspecting her nails. He should have known she’d never help. Her hands were too delicate—she claimed.

  He stacked the dishes in the drying rack and turned. Victoria was messing around on her phone.

  “You done?” she asked as she glanced up at him.

  “Yep.”

  “Good. I’ll go get ready, and then we can head out.”

  He wiped his wet hands on his jeans. “While you do that, I’m going to go check on my grandma.”

  Victoria nodded, and they headed up the stairs. She disappeared into her room, and Mitchell made his way to Rose’s door. He stood outside of it and paused, taking a deep breath. Charlie made all of this look so easy. He wished she was here.

  He knocked a few times and waited.

  “Come in,” Rose’s small voice called from the other side.

  He turned the handle and slipped into the room.

  She broke out into a smile. “Tyler,” she said, raising her arms and waving him in for a hug.

  “Hey, Rose,” he said, fighting the urge to call her grandma, and embraced her.

  “I’m so happy you’ve finally come to see me. It’s been too long.”

  He pulled a chair up next to her bed. “It has.”

  Rose gave him a big smile and reached out her hand. He took it, and she enclosed it with her other hand. “So what’s new? Tell me about Mitchell. How’s he doing?”

  Mitchell swallowed as pain pricked his heart. “He’s doing fine. He misses you.”

  A sad smile spread across her lips. “I miss that boy, too. Is he still playing baseball? He was such a good hitter.”

  Mitchell scrubbed his face with his free hand. His grandma was such a baseball fanatic, and he hated himself for quitting after she left. “Well, you know kids. If you’re not there to make sure they practice they’re bound to give it up.”

  Rose giggled. “That’s true.” She paused and glanced out the window. “Will you bring him to see me?”

  Tears gathered in Mitchell’s eyes. Was he ever going to be able to say he was sorry to his grandma? Or was this it? Was he being punished for the past? She glanced back up at him with her eyebrows raised as if she were waiting for an answer. “Sure. I think he’d like that.”

  She patted his hand then her face grew serious. “How are things with Jocelyn? Is she still upset with me?”

  Frustration brewed in his stomach at the mention of his mom. It was easier when it Rose didn’t remember her. But today, memories of his mom seemed fresh in her mind.

  What should he do? Should he lie? It felt wrong to tell his fragile grandmother that his mom still hated her. When the truth was, his mom should forgive. His brother’s death had been an accident.

  He engulfed her hand with his other one. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  A tear slipped down Rose’s cheek. “But if I had only seen that truck…” her gaze drifted to the window again.

  He squeezed her hand. She needed to know that he didn’t blame her and it was wrong for his mom to.

  Rose turned back and gave him a small smile. “Tell Mitchell that I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave like that.”

  He cleared his throat. “I will.”

  “Mitchell!” Victoria called from down the hall.

  Rose looked confused as she glanced around the room. “Is he here?”

  Panic set in. “I’ll be right back.” He jumped from his seat and met Victoria in the hall. “What?” he asked.

  She spun to show off her outfit. “I’m ready.”

  He shook his head. “That’s all you wanted to say? I’m talking to my grandma.”

  Victoria either didn’t notice his tone or chose to ignore it as she pushed past him and entered Rose’s room. “She’s in here?”

  “Vic,” he said, trailing after her.

  Rose was smiling again as she glanced back and forth from the two of them. “Tyler!” she exclaimed as if she were seeing him for the first time today.

  Crap. He had to start this all over again.

  “You’re here!” She opened her arms, and he walked over and gave her a hug. “It’s been too long. Who did you bring to see me?”

  “This is Victoria.” He nodded in her direction.

  “His fiancée,” Victoria added as she stepped forward.

  “Oh, it’s so nice to meet you.” Rose opened her arms for a hug, but Victoria just stood there, her gaze sweeping over Rose. Mitchell could tell from the disgusted look on her face, she did not want to hug his grandmother.

  Frustrated with how she was acting, Mitchell patted Rose’s hand then walked over to Victoria. “We should go.” He turned to Rose. “I’ll be back.”

  Her face fell, but then she attempted a smile. “Okay. I’ll hold you to that.”

  Mitchell grinned at her. “I’m sure you will.”

  Rose reached over, grabbed a book from the nightstand, and pulled out her reading glasses. Mitchell motioned to Victoria who seemed a bit too eager to leave as she nearly bounded out the door.

  “That was your grandmother? She’s so old,” Victoria said as Mitchell shut the door.

  He gritted his teeth. “That’s what a grandmother is, Vic.”

  She pulled a file from her purse and began filing her nails. “I’m never getting old.”

  “What?” he said as he followed her down the stairs and outside to his car.

  “I mean it,” she said.

  He shook his head. He was starting to realize how different they both were. He couldn’t even remember the reason why he’d started dating her in the first place. Perhaps it was because he felt that it was his responsibility. He needed to keep up appearances. At least that was what his mom had said.

  He shook his head. Right now, he couldn’t even think about his mom. It angered him how she had left things with Rose. He had half a mind to call her up right now and tell her how he felt.

  “Why did she call you Tyler?” Victoria asked as she climbed into his car.

  “She thinks I’m my dad.”

  Victoria groaned. “Now she thinks I’m engaged to your dad?”

  Mitchell started his car. “About that, stop telling people we’re engaged. We’re not.” Anger grew in his chest as he remembered the look on Charlie’s face when Victoria told her that she was his fiancée.

  Victoria’s long fingers wrapped around his hand that was resting in his lap. “We both know that’s not true. You were going to propose. I saw the ring.”

  She’d lost her mind. He turned to her. He didn’t even know how to respond. “Ring? What ring?”

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “The ring you left on your nightstand.” She leaned over and rest her head on his shoulder. “The one you left for me to find.”

  What was she talking about? He’d never bought a ring in his life. “Vic, I didn’t buy you a ri—”

  “Ooo, a store!” Victoria shot up and pointed toward the shops that lined the road. “Pull over, pull over!”

  Still trying to figure out how a ring got on his nightstand, Mitchell complied. Did someone buy a ring and put it next to his bed?

  Before he even put the car into park, Victoria had opened her door and was on the sidewalk. He shook his head to clear it and turned off the car. What a weird conversation.

  Victoria ran into the fur shop as Mitchell got out. It wasn’t abnormal for him to follow after her as she shopped. There were very few things that Victoria did and shopping was one of them. He would pass the time on his phone
negotiating large real estate deals.

  After grabbing a few coats, Victoria slipped into the dressing rooms. Mitchell found an empty chair and swiped his phone on. Charlie’s name appeared. He stared at it. It was strange that he felt such a connection to her in such a short amount of time. This wasn’t like him. He was a sensible guy. Very rarely did he jump into anything.

  But there was something about her. Her kindness toward Rose and Francis. The way she had told him off after he got her fired. The vulnerability she showed. The way she chewed her lip when she was nervous. All these parts of her intoxicated him and drew him in.

  “Hello? Mitchell?” Victoria’s whine pushed through his thoughts.

  He glanced over to see her standing in front of him with a dark fur coat wrapped around her body. “Hmm?” he asked.

  “What do you think?” She took her time twirling around.

  He shut off his phone. “It’s great, but don’t you have like ten already?” He stood and made his way over to the window and glanced outside. He didn’t want to be here.

  “Yeah, but you can never have too many,” she said.

  As he stared out to the street and the bustling crowds that swarmed it, he wondered what Charlie was doing at this moment. Had she found another job? His heart sank as he remembered how he’d acted in the diner. She was fired and out searching for a job because of him.

  A surge of excitement raced through his body. He could fix this.

  “Vic, I’m gonna be right back.” He started toward the door but paused. “Here are my keys. Drive back when you’re finished.” He threw them onto a nearby table.

  “But—”

  He pushed through the door before she could continue. Quickening his pace, he started down the street, then stopped. Four stores down from the fur shop was a mattress store. Another idea entered into his mind. A smile twitched as he pulled open the mattress store’s door.

  “Hello, sir. How can I help you today?” the salesman asked as he approached Mitchell.

  Glancing around, Mitchell located the twin mattresses. “How many twin mattresses do you have in stock?”

  “Here in the store? Why? How many are you looking to buy?”

  Mitchell tried to think back to the house. There were four doors on each side of the hall upstairs and two bedrooms downstairs. “Ten?”