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

  The salesman’s eyes bugged. “Ten?”

  Mitchell nodded.

  The salesman walked over to the computer that was in the middle of the room and began typing. “If you’re okay with getting four different kinds, then I can scrounge up ten twins.”

  Mitchell pulled out his wallet and smiled. “Perfect.”

  After he paid for delivery and removal of the old mattresses, Mitchell left the store and headed down the street toward Jorge’s Diner.

  He pulled open the door and nearly collided with Charlie’s friend.

  She gave him a dirty look. “What are you doing back here?”

  Mitchell shot her a smile, hoping it might soften her up a bit. It didn’t work. She continued her icy stare. He glanced down to her name tag. “Priscilla, right? Is Jorge here?”

  “Why? Do you want to get another one of us fired?”

  Mitchell furrowed his brow. “No.”

  She humph as she studied him. Finally, she sighed. “Wait here. I’ll go get him.”

  A few minutes later, a perturbed Jorge pushed through the kitchen door. His gaze fell on Mitchell. “If you’re here with a dry-cleaning bill, I’m sorry, but that’s not our policy.”

  Mitchell stared at him. “What?”

  “Your suit from yesterday was ruined. I’m sorry, but we don’t reimburse for that.”

  Mitchell shook his head. “No. That’s not why I’m here. I wanted to apologize for how things went yesterday. In fact, I was hoping I could convince you to give Charlie her job back.”

  Jorge’s face reddened as he stared at him. “Give Charlie her job back? Why?”

  Priscilla squeaked from where she stood behind Jorge.

  “I made a mistake. I wasn’t in my right mind yesterday. That whole situation was my fault.” He clasped his hands together in front of him.

  Jorge studied him. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t the only reason why I let her go. She’s been late a lot. It’s like she doesn’t take this job seriously.”

  This wasn’t going well. He needed to do something. Glancing around and taking in the state of the dining room, he got an idea. “What if I were to become an investor? You could use the money to spruce this place up. Maybe get new booths? You know, do a remodel?”

  “What?” Jorge looked confused.

  “Please? You’d be helping me out.” There was no way Charlie would just take money from him. This was the only way to ensure she’d be taken care of. “How does two hundred and fifty thousand sound?” Honestly, he had no idea how much fixing up a restaurant of this size would cost. All he knew was remodeling the real estate he bought at home cost a lot more.

  “A-a quarter of a million?” Jorge breathed out.

  “What!” Priscilla exclaimed.

  Jorge turned and shot her a look. She gave him a small smile and headed over to the table where three kids were throwing french fries at the wall.

  Mitchell turned back to Jorge. “Do we have a deal?”

  Jorge just stood there with a dazed expression.

  “Hello?” Mitchell leaned in.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Jorge cleared his throat. “I think we have a deal.”

  Mitchell extended his hand. “Perfect.”

  9

  Charlie

  Charlie slipped onto a booth at Jorge’s diner. She was exhausted. It seemed that there was nothing more tiring then waiting for someone who had your number to call. Every beep and every vibration sent her heart galloping. When she would check her phone, and see it wasn’t Mitchell, her stomach would sink.

  Priscilla walked up to her with her eyes wide and a goofy look on her face. Obviously, she was having a better day than Charlie was.

  “What’s with you?” she asked when Priscilla slipped onto the booth across from her. “And why are you sitting? Jorge’s going to freak when he sees you.”

  Priscilla pinched her lips shut and shook her head. “Not today. He’s walking on cloud nine.”

  When Charlie located Jorge at the edge of the diner his gaze met hers. He looked giddy as he started making his way toward her.

  “Charlie! I’m so glad to see you,” he exclaimed as he reached out and grabbed her hand.

  “Okay?” she said. What was happening?

  “I’m so sorry about what happened yesterday. Please, come back to work.”

  That was not what she was expecting to hear. “What?”

  Jorge laughed. It sounded strange. “Please come back. I’m sorry I fired you. What was it even about anyways?”

  “Um, I dumped water in a customer’s lap.”

  He laughed again. Charlie glanced over to Priscilla for answers, but she had the same look on her face.

  “It’s all forgotten.” He waved his hand at his forehead. “So, will you come back?”

  This was strange, but it did help her in the money department. “Okay.”

  Jorge reached out and grasped her hand again. “Thank you.” He stood and nearly danced his way over to the cash register.

  Charlie turned back to Priscilla. “That was weird, huh?”

  Priscilla shook her head. “No. It’s not weird.”

  Charlie had enough of this. Leaning forward, she stared into her best friend’s eyes. “What is going on? Why do you both have these ridiculous grins on your faces?”

  “You will never believe what happened earlier. Apparently, the guy that got you fired yesterday came in to the restaurant and asked Jorge to give you your job back.”

  Charlie’s brows furrowed. “What?” Mitchell came in here? Why?

  “Oh, that’s not all. Apparently, he’s loaded. He offered Jorge a quarter of a million to take you back.”

  Charlie nearly choked. “What?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Mitch—I mean the guy came in and offered Jorge money to give me my job back?” Where would he have gotten that kind of cash? Was he lying? It wasn’t funny if he was. She was sure if Mitchell didn’t pay, Jorge would fire her so fast. She needed to talk to Mitchell. Right now. “Hey, I should go.”

  “But you just got here.”

  Charlie stood. “Yeah, but I’ve been away from the house for a while. I should get back to give Penny a break. I’ll see you tomorrow at the festival.”

  Priscilla nodded, and Charlie sprinted from the diner. Outside, she took in a few deep breaths. Rose had mentioned that her son had married a wealthy woman, but never said how much. Charlie would have never guessed it was “give a quarter of a million away” kind of rich.

  She started down the road, and her phone rang. Pulling it from her purse, she hit talk.

  “Hello?”

  “Charlie?”

  His familiar voice excited and angered her at the same time. “Mitchell?”

  “Yeah. I was wondering if you wanted meet up. I’m at Totem Pole park right now.”

  Oh yes, she wanted to meet up. “I’ll be there in five.” She unlocked her car door and slipped in. The whole drive over she thought about what she was going to say. How does one chew out another person for giving a former boss a ton of money to take them back? The whole situation was strange.

  She pulled into the parking lot and got out. She smoothed down her dress and walked into the visitor’s center. Mitchell had on a headset and was staring at a carving of a huge frog. She walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Charlie,” he said as he pulled the headphones from his ears. “It’s good to see you.” His smile angered her more.

  Why was he so good looking? She put on her serious face. Anything to help her stay focused. “Yeah. Can we talk?”

  He looked a bit confused, but nodded. “Sure.”

  She pushed through the doors and stepped outside. They started down the path that led through the park. A totem pole rose up from the ground in front of her. She stomped by it. There was no way she could enjoy this place until she gave him a piece her mind.

  As they went deeper down the path, Mitchell followed behind her. Suddenly, she stopped and whipped around. “
What the heck, Mitchell?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “What?”

  “You bribed my former boss to give me my job back?”

  His face reddened at her accusation. Crap. It was true.

  “You know about that?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I went in there and both Jorge and Priscilla were giddy. A quarter—” she lowered her voice and glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “A quarter of a million dollars? Are you crazy? You know what’s going to happen to me when you can’t make the payment, don’t you? He’ll fire me and then what was the point?”

  Mitchell stared at the totem pole in front of them. “What do you mean, when I don’t pay him?”

  She took a step back. “You’re saying you have a quarter of a million to just give away?”

  His gaze met hers. “Yes. I’m his investor now.”

  There was a look in his eye that told her he was serious. “What are you like a multi-millionaire?” she asked.

  He nudged the ground with the tip of his shoe. “More like… billionaire.”

  There were no words. Charlie opened her mouth, but when nothing came out, she closed it again. Turning, she made her way down the path.

  “Hey,” Mitchell called from behind her. “Hey.” His hand surrounded her elbow.

  She stopped. Her spine tingled from his touched. No matter what she was feeling right now, her grandma raised her to be a hard worker. The fact that this man felt like he could come into her life and throw money at her problems bothered her. “Why did you do that?”

  “I felt bad. After all, I was the one that got you fired.” He glanced over at her. “Besides, I knew you’d never just take my money.”

  She snorted. “That’s right.” She studied him. The worst part about all of this was, he looked sincere. “I was going to be okay. I can find a job.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  He nodded. “I know.”

  “I didn’t need your help or your money.”

  “I believe you.”

  She bit her lip as she studied him. Maybe she was overreacting a bit. “Promise you won’t do that again? Use your money to do things for me? You owe me nothing.”

  He raised his right hand. “I promise.”

  Tucking her hair behind her ear, she gave him a small smile. He returned it, looking relieved.

  They stood in silence as Mitchell glanced around.

  “This is Totem park?”

  Charlie nodded. “Yep.”

  “It’s nice. Though I have to say, I don’t know much about them.”

  She turned and started down the path with Mitchell next to her. “They were carved by a group of Native Americans called the Tlingets. They occupied most of the southwest area of Alaska.”

  They walked through the park. Charlie gave him information about the tribes and the totem poles, and Mitchell nodded along with it. Once they finished, Charlie turned to him feeling stupid that she yelled at him.

  “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

  He smiled. “I understand. You’re a strong, independent woman. I should’ve asked before I just acted. Maybe you’re right. I do throw my money at problems.”

  She nodded. “But when you have as much as you do, I guess that’s what you’re used to.”

  “Yeah. It came with a price though. My parents worked hard to build up their real estate business that they kind of forgot they had kids. That’s why my grandma raised me. She stepped in where they fell short.” He smiled. “But it was for the best. She taught me to be humble. She insisted we learn about hard work. Where my parents would have just given us whatever we wanted.”

  Charlie sat down on a nearby bench, and Mitchell joined her. She glanced over at him. It must have been hard to have parents who didn’t take the time to spend it with him. Her parents were gone, so couldn’t disappoint her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said

  He shrugged. “I got used to it.”

  She stared off to the ocean that spanned out in front of them. The sun warmed her skin. Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

  “I’m starting to see it.”

  Looking over at him, she tried to keep her gaze steady. “See what?”

  His gaze didn’t leave her face. “Why you like this place.”

  She shivered at the intensity of his stare, so glanced back to the glistening blue water. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “It is.”

  He was still staring at her.

  “Charlie?”

  That voice. Where did she know it from? Turning, she glanced over her shoulder, and her heart fell. Looking as good as the day she walked out on him was her ex.

  “Alex?” She leapt from the bench. Her cheeks burned as she smoothed down her skirt. “What are—what are you doing here?”

  Movement next to her drew her attention over. Mitchell had stood and was staring at Alex.

  “Just got back.” Alex glanced over at Mitchell as he stepped up to her. “Could I talk to you in private?”

  Charlie’s heart pounded so loud she could barely make out what he was saying. He was back and standing in front of her. Why?

  Alex reached out and touched her elbow. “Please?”

  Pinching her lips together, Charlie nodded. “Um, yeah, sure.” She allowed him to guide her away. With her emotions muddling her brain, she struggled to do the simplest tasks.

  When they were out of earshot of Mitchell, Alex stopped and turned. “You look good,” he said, flashing her one of his familiar smiles.

  Heat raced to her cheeks. “So do you.” Ugh, why did she say that? She should be telling him off or smacking him. Not complimenting him on his looks.

  His hand remained on her elbow. His fingers warmed her skin. It was all too much. She pulled away before she allowed herself to go down memory lane. “Why’d you come back?”

  Alex peered over at her as he grasped his hands in front of him. “I made a mistake, Char. I was stupid. I’m back because I’ve changed. I want you in my life. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. I was an idiot for hurting you.”

  She studied him, and her stomach twisted into knots. This was just too much. First, Rose’s struggles, then being behind on bills, and now this? Her emotions couldn’t take it anymore. Instead of answering him, she turned and walked away.

  “Charlie?” Two male voices called after her. She waved her hand at them. Right now, she just needed to be alone.

  When she got to her car, she pulled open the door, and slipped inside. With both hands on the wheel, she stared out the windshield. Mitchell and Alex emerged from the visitor’s center. They kept glancing at each other. Finally, Mitchell walked up to Alex and shook his hand.

  Reaching down, she started the car and peeled out of the parking lot. Both men glanced in her direction as she raced past them.

  The more distance she put behind her, the better she felt. The trees and shrubbery rose up around her. That was the benefit of living in a rainforest. It didn’t take long before she was surrounded and secluded.

  Pulling the car over to the side of the road, Charlie got out. She slammed the door and started walking. Twigs snapped beneath her feet. The smell of impending rain surrounded her. She took in a deep breath, and her muscles began to relax.

  The deeper she went into the woods, the clearer her mind became. Why had Alex come back? Was he here to torture her? She reached out and slapped a nearby branch that hung above her. When she’d caught him kissing another girl, she thought her heart would break.

  Thankfully, he got a job in the states working for his uncle’s construction company. That meant, she would never see him again.

  “Ha!” she said, as she pushed a bush aside and continued on. Fat chance. She sat down on a fallen tree trunk and wrapped her arms around her stomach. He should have stayed away. Her heart couldn’t take him being back.

  Sitting alone and staring into the trees soothed her. All her problems didn’t exist here. The weight of the retirement home
, Rose and Francis’s illness, and the big fat failure her romance life was— didn’t matter.

  She laid on the tree and stared up at the sky. She’d stay here forever. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.

  It wasn’t until she felt a fat raindrop splash on her forehead that she sat up. Glancing at her watch, she sighed. It was half past six. Penny would be wondering where she was.

  Charlie slipped off the tree and started making her way back to her car. Or at least she thought she was. If she was completely honest with herself, she couldn’t really remember which way she’d come. Trying to muster all her girl scout abilities, she stared up at the sky. Had she come east or west?

  Suddenly, her foot caught on an exposed root and she pitched forward. She reached her hands out to break the fall, but it was too late. Her head smacked against the nearby tree and everything went black.

  10

  Mitchell

  The rain was coming down harder now, and Charlie still hadn’t returned. Mitchell paced in the front room, staring out the window. Every time a car drove by, he stopped. But when he realized it wasn’t Charlie, he continued.

  “You’re going to wear the carpet out,” Penny said as she stepped into the room holding two mugs. “Tea?”

  Mitchell shook his head. His stomach was too knotted to put anything in it.

  “Don’t worry, she’ll be back. Sometimes, she just needs a minute to breath.”

  Mitchel glanced at Penny, trying to take his cue from her. She had known Charlie much longer. If she wasn’t worried, why was he? He stared out the window. He knew why. Because Penny hadn’t seen the look on Charlie’s face when she’d run from Totem park.

  Laughter came from the kitchen. Mitchell’s ears pricked as he made his way from the room and barreled into Victoria who had an armful of bags.

  “Hey,” she complained until she saw his face. “What’s going on?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry.” He pulled out a chair and collapsed onto it.

  She dropped the bags and sat next to him. “Well, I’m happy I caught you. I was at the jewelry store and found this.” Reaching out, she flashed her hand at him. On the fourth finger of her left hand was a one carat diamond.