Page 19 of The Renegade Billionaire
We’ve funded our lives, Sage’s, and the DDD ever since. I don’t even remember the last time I touched my trust fund.
Me: I forgot how much I enjoy helping just because I can without someone taking over and manipulating the situation to make it feel promotional.
Doing good deeds anonymously also keeps the risk of being used to a minimum. If no one knows I’m doing it, then no one can try to get shit from me.
Grey: I didn’t say anything. It’s just been a while, and I was worried you wouldn’t remember who you are.
Grey: And FYI, you’re not the asshole CEO you’ve been hiding behind. So can I assume that Happiness, Georgia is living up to its name?
Me: I’ve been here less than twenty-four hours.
Grey: And here you are, making a difference for a kid you met once, but not wanting anyone to know it came from you.
Me: He mows Madison’s lawn for her.
As soon as I hit send, I know I’ve just sunk myself. My phone rings. Thankfully it’s on silent, and I ignore it.
Grey: Madison, the inn owner?
Me: And the owner of the coworking space I’m currently sitting in.
Grey: Fine, you like the old lady, I get it.
I frown at my screen, then reread our messages. I guess I can see why he’d assume Madison is older, and for my own sake, I continue to let him believe that.
Grey: I’ll get the computer sent out in a week or two so it doesn’t look too suspicious.
Me: Make sure it can’t be traced back to me.
Grey: Secret acts of kindness from the renegade billionaire, done.
I groan so loudly it has heads turning my way. Madison lifts a brow.
“Everything all right over there?” she asks.
“Sorry, yes. Just a meeting with someone who annoys me.”
Her smile is soft but tired, and it makes me want to fix that too. She returns to her friends who’ve raised their voices to normal volume now. I guess they’re done discussing me and my reactions to Madison.
I came on too strong today, but when I saw her shimmying in the kitchen as water sprayed all over her, something snapped in my chest, and I haven’t been able to think straight since.
For some reason, I’m drawn to Madison Ryan, and luckily, I have all the time in the world to find out why.
By three in the afternoon,I can no longer sit and stare at Madison, whom Blissy has informed me is the town sweetheart—something that stays with her until marriage, and then they announce a new one.
It was also the first time I saw Madison appear truly upset as Blissy off-handedly mentioned this bit of news. Her agitation was clear in the way she plucked at the elastic on her wrist, but it made me want to know all her whys and what-ifs.
I didn’t want to make her any more uncomfortable though, so I grabbed a coffee—and a tea because I haven’t chosen sides yet—and I’m trying not to spill them as I pull into the Hideaway’s driveway.
Holding the cardboard tray in one hand, I exit the truck that I didn’t stall once, thank you very much.
“Nice truck,” Pops says from the porch swing.
I shut the door and instantly feel my shoulders relax. There’s something about this old man that I really connect with.
“Bought it today.” Why do I sound so proud? I’ve bought cars worth forty times what this cost.
“Looks good. Let’s go.” The older man stands from the swing and walks with his left arm out as though he’s feeling his way around, but I saw him reading the paper this morning, so it catches me off guard.
