Page 284 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

“You won a car?” I ask.

“Yeah,” she says. “I checked the blue book on it. I can keep it, and we can have something to drive around, or I can sell it and probably get about twelve-thousand. What do you think?”

“You won a car?” I ask.

“Yes, sororal broken record of mine,” Naomi says. “I won a car.”

“This is big,” I say. “Well, why aren’t you out driving it?”

Maybe I don’t have to ask for the favor after all. Now, if I can get her out of the house for a few hours so I can see Zach without leaving the house or subjecting him to her …

“Because I just got home,” she says. “Why, are you trying to get me out of the house so yourboyfriendcan come over and whisper sweet nothings about how he doesn’t mind dating shut-ins?”

The downside of living with someone you grew up with is they see through ploys, plots and schemes better than anyone.

“Come on,” I say. “I postponed on him a few days ago, and he still thinks I’m over here hacking up a lung or something.”

“Ooh, he should bethrilledto drop what he’s doing and come over here, then,” she says.

“I may mention something about not being sick,” I tell Naomi through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know, sis,” she says. “Perhaps I should meet this gentleman and make sure he’s the kind of guy who’s worthy of you before I let you have him over here all by yourself.”

“Nan,” I say and Naomi shudders, “think about it this way: While you’ve done a great job of furnishing this place with all the crap you’ve won over the years, I’m still the one who’s paid rent every month. In fact, I’m not sure I remembered to have them add you to the lease.”

“You didn’t add me to the lease?” she asks. “With as long as I’ve been living here, I’d say that’s a breach of contract on your part. What else do you have?”

“Maybe I just decide to have my boyfriend get me a nice place out of state and maybe I don’t tell you where it is,” I say.

“Oh, come on,” she says. “The two of you have only been on one real date. He’s not going to rent you a place.”

“Who said anything about renting?” I ask. “You know, with a nine-digit bank account, I’d bet he wouldn’t even feel the pinch if he got me a lovely mansion on a shore somewhere.”

“You know a beach house is my dream house,” Naomi says. “That’s not cool.”

“Leave now, and I’ll put away the rest of the groceries,” I tell her.

I don’t know if it was the hypothetical beach house or the offer to put away a single bag’s worth of items, but Naomi stops what she’s doing, grabs the keys to her new car off the countertop, and walks out the front door.

She’s a bit of an odd one, Naomi.

I pull out my phone and send Zach a quick text to ask if he has a minute. The phone’s ringing a minute later.

“Hey there,” I answer.

“Hey,” Zach says. “How are you feeling?”

“You know,” I tell him, “I think I’m doing a lot better.” I’m not going to complain about a few people in front of my door when he had half the town camped out waiting for him. “Naomi’s out. I was wondering if you maybe had some time to come over.”

“Well,” he says, “I’ve got a few things to finish up right now. How does three o’clock sound?”

It looks like Naomi’s going to get to meet the boyfriend after all.

“That’s fine,” I tell him. “Let me know when you’re on your way and I’ll make sure to have a drink ready for you when you get here.”

“Sounds great,” he says. “Listen, I have to go now, but I’m glad you’re doing all right, and I’ll see you in a little while.”

“Thanks,” I say, though I have no idea why. “I mean sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

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