Forgetting the Billionaire (A Clean Billionaire Romance Book 1) Page 8

  “What?” He furrowed his brow as he turned to look at her. “Why’d you buy that?”

  Victoria pulled the best innocent face. “What do you mean? I figured you were going to ask me, so shouldn’t I get the ring I actually want?”

  Mitchell scrubbed his face. He didn’t want to deal with this now. “Whatever.” He’d address this later. Right now, he needed to find Charlie. He stood and made his way to the back door. It was pouring outside.

  “Vic, where are my keys?”

  She held her hand out, and he grabbed them. Once Charlie was back and safe, he’d confront Victoria about the ring.

  Ducking his head, he raced through the rain and out to his car. He started it up and peeled out onto the street.

  Fifteen minutes passed and he still hadn’t located her. Every siren was going off in his mind. The car’s wipers squealed as they swished against the windshield. The rain was pouring so hard that he could barely see the road in front of him.

  He took a left and leaned forward, squinting to see through the droplets. A red car was parked along the side of the road. He slowed and rolled the passenger window down. It was Charlie’s car. He pulled in front of it and turned off the engine.

  His heart pounded as he circled around the abandoned vehicle, peering into the windows. There didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary. He glanced into the woods. Was it possible? Did she leave her car to go wandering in the woods?

  Rain rolled down his back. He was drenched now. He could only imagine what she looked like. Taking out his phone, he made sure he had a charge and pushed into the woods.

  “Charlie?” he called out against the wind that blew through the trees.

  Nothing.

  “Charlie?” he called louder. He strained to hear her.

  Nothing again.

  Branches slashed at his arms as he pushed through the woods. She had to be here somewhere.

  “Charlie!” he yelled as he scanned his surroundings. A speck of color caught his attention. “Charlie?” He approached it.

  His stomach twisted. Charlie was sprawled on the ground. He sprinted to her side and pulled her head into his lap. Her eyes were closed, and she had a huge gash running down her forehead.

  “Charlie, can you hear me?” He leaned down to feel if she was breathing. Shoving his fingers onto her throat, he concentrated on her pulse.

  She moaned, and his heart soared. “Alex?” she whispered.

  That was a punch to the gut. Mitchell shook his head. “It’s Mitchell.”

  She opened her eyes and stared around. “Where’s Alex?”

  “I don’t know. You fell, Charlie. I’m gonna get you out of here.” He scooped her up, and pulled her close. She rested her head against his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he whispered.

  The need to protect her raced through his chest as he pushed back the way he’d come. Rain splattered on his face, but he shook it off. Charlie started shivering. He pulled her closer to keep her warm.

  Why did she think he was Alex? He swallowed. Secretly, he’d been hoping there had been something between them. He’d thought she’d felt it too. Apparently not.

  He burst from the woods and made his way over to his car. Opening the passenger door, he placed her on the seat then rushed around to the driver’s side and got in. The engine roared to life, and he fiddled with the temperature until heat burst from the vents.

  Charlie was more awake now and glancing around. Her gaze landed on him, and her eyebrows shot up. “Mitchell?”

  His grip tightened on the steering wheel. He forced a smile and turned. “Yeah.”

  “What are you doing? How did I get here?” She straightened in her seat and peered around.

  “I came looking for you. You were passed out.”

  “So… you came and rescued me?”

  He nodded.

  “Where’s Alex?” She sounded confused.

  “I’m not sure.” His heart tore open at every mention of Alex. Why was this affecting him so much?

  “Hmm. I thought he was here.” She wrapped her arms around her chest and stared out the window.

  “I’m going to take you to the hospital. You should get checked out.”

  Charlie shook her head. “No. I can’t afford that. Just take me home. I have a headache, but I’ll be okay.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I can pay—”

  “No. No, thank you. I’ll be fine. I don’t want to owe you.”

  He glanced over at her. He wanted to tell her that it really was no big deal, but her jaw was set so he dropped it. He’d check on her tonight to make sure she didn’t have a concussion. “If that’s what you want.”

  Charlie nodded.

  Mitchell pulled into the lot behind the retirement home and parked the car. Charlie opened the door and got out before he could protest. She took five steps and stumbled. Having enough of her independent demeanor, Mitchell reached out and swept her up into his arms.

  “I don’t—” she stopped. Her face was inches from his.

  He met her gaze head on. “This isn’t spending money.” He pulled her closer. “It’s okay to let people take care of you sometimes.”

  She studied him as she chewed her lip. The lips that were inches from his. Again, he wondered what they might feel like against his own. Once they were on the porch, he paused. Here, in this moment, it was just the two of them. No Victoria. No ex-boyfriends. Just them.

  She took a deep breath and twisted her body. He complied and set her feet on the ground. She took a step toward the door then paused.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He nodded.

  Before she turned the handle, the door swung open. Alex stood in the doorway illuminated by the light inside.

  “Charlie!” he exclaimed, rushing to her side and taking her arm. “Let’s get you inside.”

  Mitchell watched as she was led to her room. When the door shut, his heart sank.

  “Oh, my gosh. You are soaked.” Mitchell turned to see Victoria standing there.

  “Not now, Vic.” He didn’t want to go the rounds with her again. He waved her away and headed up the stairs. This trip wasn’t going at all how he wanted. Why he’d allowed himself to care for a stranger frustrated him. He was here for Rose and that was it. He couldn’t be distracted by the mysterious waitress and caregiver.

  He flipped on the water and stepped into the shower. The steaming hot water beat his back, and he welcomed it. It relaxed his tense muscles, and helped him forget about the look on Charlie’s face when she’d thought he was Alex.

  Shutting off the water, he grabbed a towel. What was their story anyways? When they’d talked to Francis, Charlie said she didn’t have a boyfriend. Well, it didn’t look like that anymore.

  He wrapped the towel around his waist and pulled open the door. Thankfully, Charlie wasn’t standing there to gawk at his chest. Once he was in his room, he paused. Charlie had washed and folded his clothes that he’d dumped in the toilet the day before. Grabbing the shirt, he pulled it on.

  Now dressed, he opened the door and made his way downstairs. He could hear voices in the kitchen. As he headed down the hall towards the chatter, he passed by Charlie’s room and paused. The door was open, and Alex was standing a bit too close to her.

  Jealousy raged through his chest. He wanted to go into the room and punch the guy. He took a step back. Since when did he become a hot head for a girl?

  Alex leaned in and brushed his lips against Charlie’s, and Mitchell’s heart sank. His jaw flexed as he tore his gaze away from them and left the doorway. He leaned against the wall and took a breath. Everything he’d thought about Charlie and him had been all in his head.

  She didn’t like him. He was such an idiot to think that. He clenched his hands and pushed into the kitchen where Victoria sat at the table. Walking over to her, he pulled her from her seat and grasped each side of her face.

  “Mitch—”

  He planted a kiss right on her l
ips. When he pulled away, she looked dazed.

  “What was that, Mitchell Kingsley?” she breathed.

  “Let’s get married.” Even when he spoke the words, his stomach churned. If Charlie had feels for Alex, Mitchell needed to get over her right now.

  Victoria giggled. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  The kitchen door swung open and Charlie and Alex walked through. Before either could say anything, Victoria raced over squealing.

  “Look what Mitchell just got me.” She shoved her hand in front of them and wiggled her fourth finger.

  Alex let out a low whistle. “Wowzers. Big rock.”

  Charlie stared at it for a moment then her gaze drifted over to him. “When—how—?”

  “Well, it’s been in the works for a while now, but he just asked me. Isn’t this the most amazing ring you’ve ever seen? I’m mean, it’s not Tiffany’s, but I don’t care as long as I’m engaged to my Mitchy,” she said as she turned and smiled at him. Clearly she hadn’t notice that the questions were aimed at him.

  Charlie smiled and headed over to the sink where she filled a glass with water. She stood, facing the window as Mitchell watched her. He couldn’t figure out her body language.

  Turning, Charlie’s smile remained. “I’m happy for you guys. You make a great couple.”

  Victoria reached out and grasped Mitchell’s hand. He glanced at their entwined fingers and nothing in his body felt right. His head raged, and his stomach twisted.

  “We are, aren’t we,” Victoria said as she leaned over. Before he could stop her, she planted another kiss on his lips.

  When they pulled away, Charlie was staring at them with a blank expression. “I’m not feeling good. I’m going to lay down.”

  Mitchell dropped Victoria’s hand and stepped toward her. “Are you sure you shouldn’t go to the hospital? You could have a concussion.”

  Charlie raised her hand as if to stop him from coming closer. “I’m fine. I’m just going to go rest in my room.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Alex said as he wrapped his arm around her slumped shoulders.

  Mitchell watched as she was led from the kitchen. He wanted to stop her, but it didn’t matter. She was with Alex, and he was with Victoria.

  Turning his attention back to his fiancée, he watched as she pulled out her phone.

  “Hello? Mom? It’s Victoria. You’re never going to believe this!” She sat at the table in full wedding planning mode.

  Mitchell didn’t want to be here. This was not how he wanted this part of his life to go. His gaze fell to the door that Charlie had just exited.

  Feeling confused, he waved at Victoria as he left the room. She was busy chatting, and he doubted she even knew he was gone. He took the stairs to the upper floor two at a time. There was one person he wanted to see.

  He stood outside Rose’s door and took a breath. Even though she wasn’t fully aware, she was still his grandmother and he loved and trusted her. She had always helped him feel better no matter what he’d done.

  Turning the handle, he pushed into the room. “Rose?” he called out.

  Her bedside light cast a dim glow against the book she was reading. When her gaze met his, she grinned. “Tyler.”

  He sighed and made his way to the armchair in the corner. He longed for her to recognize him as Mitchell. He missed their relationship as grandson and grandma.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, setting her book next to her on the bed.

  Collapsing on the chair, he studied her. “Just struggling with life right now.”

  “Anything specific?” She pulled her glasses off her nose and folded them.

  He wanted to tell her about Charlie. About the mistakes he’d made in his life since she’d left. But she looked so earnest that he couldn’t bring himself to disappoint her.

  “I got engaged.” He decided to tell her something he knew would bring her happiness. If she really didn’t have much time left, there was no need to focus on the negative.

  Just as he thought, her face lit up. “What? To who?”

  “Her name is Victoria.”

  Rose clasped her hands together. “I’m so happy for you. That is just wonderful news.”

  It felt good to see his grandma smiling, but right now, all he could think about was Charlie. He returned her smile even though inside, his heart was breaking.

  11

  Charlie

  Mitchell was engaged. That thought made every muscle in Charlie’s body ache. Or perhaps, it was because she’d just walloped her head against a huge tree. Either way, she couldn’t believe it. It had happened so fast.

  Everything she thought they had going on between them had been wrong. Why was she such an idiot sometimes?

  “You okay?” Alex’s question broke her from her thoughts. He sat next to her on the bed and took her hand in his.

  Turning, she peered into his earnest gaze. This was another part of her life that was a complete mess. Why had he kissed her earlier? He was going on and on about how much he missed her then leaned in and she didn’t stop him.

  “Yeah,” she whispered.

  Maybe he was sincere. Maybe he had changed. Right now, what other options did she have? She could give him another chance. What did she have to lose?

  Leaning in, she met his lips again. His arm wrapped around her. It was true. This was familiar. When she pulled away, she chewed her lip. She just wasn’t sure if familiar was what she wanted anymore. She silently cursed herself.

  Alex laid back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. “I’ve missed you,” he said.

  She wanted to say the same and had he come a few days earlier, that would have been true. But now, she couldn’t find the strength to return his sentiment.

  “I should go check on Rose,” she said, standing.

  “What? Why?” Alex rolled onto his side and propped himself up with his elbow.

  “I haven’t seen her all day. I just want to make sure she’s okay.” Truth was, she missed her so much. She wanted to be able to talk to her. Tell her everything that was going wrong in her life. Even if Rose didn’t recognize her, just being in her presence would help ease Charlie’s confusion.

  Alex’s phone beeped, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “That’s okay. I gotta go anyway.”

  Charlie nodded as Alex stood. After a quick peck on her cheek he left.

  Now alone, Charlie made her way upstairs and down the hall.

  Voices could be heard from the open door as she approached Rose’s room. She recognized Mitchell’s voice and almost turned back. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to see him again. But then she shook it off. He was Rose’s family which meant he was going to be around a lot. Which meant being here with his new wife. Charlie needed to get over her crush and move on.

  She knocked on the door and slipped through the opening. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight. Rose was out of bed and standing next to a huge pile of clothes. Her eyes lit up when she looked at Charlie.

  “Is this her?” she asked, turning to Mitchell.

  His gaze snapped over to Charlie. He paused then shook his head. “No.”

  “Oh,” Rose said as she turned back to the clothes.

  Trying to ignore the pain in her heart, Charlie approached her. “It’s so good to see you’re out of bed.”

  Rose turned, and she had a no nonsense look on her face. “Of course. I need to pick out what I’m going to wear to my son’s wedding.”

  Charlie’s gaze flew over to Mitchell. He’d told her already? Maybe they were really that serious. His smile dropped a bit as he studied her.

  It was too overwhelming for her to try and analyze his gaze. Instead, she turned her attention back to Rose. “That’s a good reason.”

  Rose laughed. It had been ages since Charlie had heard it. Tears brimmed on her lids. It was a wonderful sound.

  “When’s the wedding?” she asked.

  Mitchell shrugged. “I’m not sure. We haven’t picked a date.”


  Rose stopped. “I’m coming, right?”

  “Of course,” he said.

  Charlie turned back to him. Why was he making promises that he knew he couldn’t keep? Most weddings took at least a year to plan. With Victoria’s personality, it would probably be twice that. Rose would most likely be gone by then. Even if she wouldn’t remember the promise, there was a chance she might. He couldn’t disappoint her like that.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Charlie whispered to him.

  Mitchell raised an eyebrow as he studied her. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re promising she’ll be there. I’ve never seen her this excited. If you leave without fulfilling that promise, I’m worried what that’ll do to her.” Charlie grinned back at Rose who was holding a dark red dress up to herself.

  When Charlie turned her gaze back to Mitchell, her cheeks heated from the intense look in his eyes. “What do you suggest I do?” he whispered.

  She wanted to tell him to break off the engagement, but that was ridiculous. He loved Victoria—not her. “Have it here,” slipped out.

  His eyebrows shot up.

  “You’re getting married here?” Rose asked with so much hope and excitement in her voice.

  “What? I…” Mitchell glanced from Charlie back to Rose.

  Rose set the dress down and walked over to him. Grabbing his hand in hers, she smiled at him. “There’s nothing in this world I want more than to see my son get married here.”

  Mitchell’s jaw flexed as he studied Rose. Charlie felt completely stupid for blurting that out, but if they were going to get married and wanted Rose there, it had to be here and it had to be soon. If seeing her son get married brought her happiness, Charlie would make sure it happened.

  “Okay,” Mitchell said. “We’ll have it here.”

  Rose smiled and went back to sorting her clothes.

  “Um, Charlie, can I see you in the hall?” He stood and nodded toward the door.

  “Sure.” She didn’t want to, but it was inevitable. They might as well get it all out in the open.