It’s been six weeks since Dad’s heart attack, and he’s feeling so well that he’s insisting on doing the yard work himself. He’s happily humming a tune as he trims the hedges, giving me background noise while I sit in a lounge chair nearby and study for my Human Relations class. I have a ton of homework to do this weekend, but I came out here at the crack of dawn just to make sure I’m here for him if he needs me. That’s what I came back home for in the first place, after all. I’ve been reminding myself of that fact every day since I found out what Grant truly thinks of me.

Every time I glance at the house next door, I feel steam rising up the back of my neck. Somehow, in all the years we’ve known each other, a “gold-digger” is what he has managed to reduce me to in his head. I didn’t even know about his wealth, nor do I care about how much he makes in a year. I wanted him for the same reason I always have. Grant, in some inexplicable way, has always belonged to me. Our hearts beat together, and our future seems to be intertwined no matter how much distance and time is between us.

As much as it pains me to admit it, I know some of the heat I’m feeling toward Grant is this new feeling of raw, blinding lust. Thoughts of running next door, stripping naked for him, and feeling him inside me again have me consumed day and night, even though I feel like I gave him the most precious thing I had in the world and got slapped in the face for it. I waited so long for the seemingly impossible dream of losing my virginity to Grant Sherwood, and as soon as it happened, it all fell apart. His ex-wife seems to have ruined him for any future love he might have in his life. It almost makes me wish he was your typical broke single dad, paying alimony out the ass and scraping together any money he could find. It would almost be better for him than constantly being afraid he was going to be used by a new woman.

I rub my head and try to focus on the words on the laptop screen, but they fade into a nonsensical blur, much like the thoughts swirling around in my head. As long as I live next to Grant, I’m going to keep feeling nauseous from going round and round on this carousel of lust and anger. It’s a miserable existence. I’m looking forward to Dad getting the all-clear from his doctor so I can move back across town and not have to think about my sexy neighbor anymore.

As if everything I’m going through isn’t bad enough, I feel terrible guilt for vanishing from Hudson’s life just as he was starting to trust me. His own mother couldn’t be bothered to fight for the right to see him in court, and now he’s going to think I’ve abandoned him, too. He’s the sweetest little boy in the world. I hope he doesn’t think it’s his fault. I’ve wanted to go over there so many times, but I don’t have the guts to face his father. Grant’s mother is keeping Hudson until they can find another nanny, so at least he still has a female figure in his life.

Dad slumps down into a lounge chair next to me to catch his breath. “I underestimated how hot it would be out here.”

“Take it easy, Daddy.” I reach over and put my hand on his arm. “I can always do this if you don’t feel up to it.”

“I’m fine, sugar. Just need a little break.” He dabs his forehead with his trusty handkerchief and flashes me a smile. “Are you okay?”

Sighing, I tell him, “I don’t know.”

Dad cringes. “Boy trouble?”

The corner of my mouth pulls up in a smirk. Dad hates talking to me about guys. He’ll do it because he knows I don’t have a mother to talk to, but he’s always squirming the entire time.

“We don’t have to talk about this—”

“Sweetheart, you can tell me what’s going on. I always want to talk to my girl.”

He grasps my hand in his big, gnarly one. I squeeze him back.

“Well, there’s this guy I was seeing and I thought things were going well at first. Then out of the blue I found out he’s rich.”

Dad’s eyes go wide. “Really?”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head at him. “Daddy…”

He chuckles. “Go on.”

“There’s not much to tell, really. He confessed that he thought I only wanted him for his money, so we had a fight. I haven’t seen him since.”

Dad raises a furry eyebrow. “So, let me get this straight. This man told you he’s worried you only want him for his money even though you didn’t know about it in the first place?”

“Something like that…” I sigh. “It’s complicated.”

“When did you get time to date, anyway? The only places I’ve seen you lately are home and next door.”

My eyes widen. He’s dangerously close to the right track.

“I, uh…I met him online.”

“I see.” Dad rubs the back of my hand with his thumb. “Well, sweetheart, if you ask me, it was his loss.”

“Yes, it was.”

Another male voice greets us from over by the fence. My blood heats at the sight of him. Grant opens the gate, flashing a smile at me that would normally melt me, but now has me furious. He thinks he can just waltz back over here and get me back. I can see it written all over his face.

Standing up, I face him with my arms crossed over my chest. “What do you want?”

“Just a word with my favorite babysitter.” His big, dark eyes make contact with mine, and I almost can’t resist them. “Please.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Cheyenne, we miss you. Hudson misses you. Please, just let me apologize—”

“Apologize for what, Grant?” My fingernails dig into the skin of my arms. “Insulting me? Using me? Which part exactly are you sorry for?”

Grant closes the distance between us and pulls me aside so we won’t be fighting in front of my father. Guilt pings in my chest that I didn’t let him take me aside in the first place. Now Dad probably knows what’s going on.

“I wasn’t using you, Cheyenne. I care about you, more than anything. You have to believe that.”

I feel my eyes narrow. “Then why did it take you so long to come over here and tell me that? Is this a business thing? Are you worried your investors are going to hear about the way you treated your babysitter?”

His eyes open wide with shock, but he doesn’t deny it.

“That’s what I thought.” Turning on my heels, I head back into the house. The back door is open. I slam it behind me, feeling a rush of pride and deep regret. I just refused the billionaire next door. Again. I’m proud of myself for staying strong, but at the same time, it would have been so easy to just fall back into his arms. I miss him. Seeing him again, feeling his skin on mine—it brought everything back. Being without him sucks. It’s going to take a lifetime to put him behind me.

As I wipe away a stray tear, I hear a commotion and the back door opens. Grant’s large frame almost blocks all the outside light. His handsome face is screwed up with worry.

“Cheyenne, you’re going to want to come back outside. Now.”

“I already told you, I—”

“It’s your dad.”