Simon glanced down the street and pointed to a café with outside tables. “Let’s go there. The dogs will be fine, I’m sure.”
By the time he drove her home, Ruby’s eyelids were heavy. He walked her to the door and held it open. “If you need me for anything, call okay? I don’t want you running yourself ragged for this when I can help. Tyler will too. Just ask us.”
“Thanks, Simon but you’ve done heaps already. Maybe on adoption day you can call and say hello. Tell your friends about it and wish us luck. We need these babies to find new homes for the good of all those that follow.”
He gave her a quick hug, tempted to kiss her goodnight but she’d already turned away. “Will do. Take care of yourself, Ruby.”
She walked inside and shut the door. He returned to his car, a little deflated. But at least they’d had some time together which was nice. It only made him realize how much he really wanted to be with her.
He was doing everything he could think of to make her life easier without taking over and pissing her off. What more would it take for Ruby to give him a second chance?
Chapter 12
Simon threw down his control pad and groaned.
“Man, you are so out of sorts it’s ridiculous. Still mooning over Ruby?” Tyler kicked his chair back and put his feet up on the edge of his sprawling desk.
“I don’t know what you mean?”
Tyler laughed and slapped his leg. “Bullshit. You’ve been sulking all week. The girl asks for a break from your week of dates to move the business over to the property that you had a hand in, and you go into sulking teenager mode even though you managed to worm your way in for a visit anyway.” Tyler stood and walked past him, knocking him in the shoulder as he made his way to the glass fronted refrigerator. He grabbed himself a can of soda and pulled the tab. “You’re still gone on her; admit it.”
Simon rolled his eyes. “So what? You knew that. Everyone knows that except her.”
“Not sure these dates were such a good idea after all.” He lifted his soda and slurped it down.
Simon shook his head. “You know, you’d have to be the last person in the world to talk. When did you last have a date?” When Tyler didn’t answer, he sighed. “Just look at the pair of us, would you? You’d think that our lives would be fantastic. We got the deal we wanted. Made millions overnight and what did it do for our love lives? Absolutely freaking nothing! Both of us are still alone.”
Tyler slumped into his chair, his lips turned down and a frown marring his brow. “I always said I’d never change when we hit the bigtime. I’d be the only billionaire running around in my old car, wearing my torn jeans, looking the same as I did before.”
Simon glanced at the jeans Tyler’d been wearing five years ago. They were faded, thinner and wearing in places and shouldn’t be worn. “And how’s that working out for you?”
He picked up a paperclip and threw it at Simon. “Look who’s talking.”
“What? At least I’ve done something with my life. I’ve invested money, donated to charities. What’ve you done besides hoard your money?”
Tyler scowled. “So have I. I bought my Mom a house. And even shelled out for a new car. What more do you want from me?”
“Just look at how sad and lonely we are.” He leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his hair. “We sit in this damned pretentious office, with all our toys trying to come up with something new and we’re so lonely, it’s not funny. We’re both so scared that people will only want us for our money, we’ve shut them all out. Hardly anyone gets a look in anymore. When did we get to be so afraid?”
Tyler shrugged. “You haven’t. You’ve used some of yours wisely. Given to the right people.” He threw his empty can in the recycling bin.
“And made stupid decisions with my personal life. Which I’m trying to change. Speaking of which, Graham told me the house next to mine is coming up for private tender.” He watched the flicker of interest in Tyler’s eyes. “It’d be a good investment if nothing else. I know the place needs work but you could do it.”
Tyler glanced over at him. “It’s going to cost a lot to buy it, let alone renovate it.”
“But think of the profit you’d make if you ever sold it.”
“Not like I need the money.”
“No, because you’re such a tight wad you never spend what you have. Buy it. I want you next door to me instead of in that concrete high rise you live in. It has no heart, no soul.”
Tyler rolled his eyes. “Since when did you become so philosophical?”
“No idea but I like the idea of you being next door. Best buddies and all. I think it’s perfect.”
Tyler remained silent.
“It has a boatshed at the bottom of the garden.”
Tyler’s head whipped up and a slow smile curved his lips. “Really?”
“Sure does.” Simon swiveled around in his chair and brought up a recent photo of the property on a real estate site. He put it on the overhead screen. “Look at that little beauty.”
Tyler leaned forward in his chair. “There’s room in there for at least two boats. Wow.”
“It’s not going on the open market. Call Graham and tell him you want it.”
“Graham? What’s it got to do with him? I didn’t think he dealt with the domestic market.”
“He knows who is handling it. It was him who suggested you might like it.” A spark of interest shone in Tyler’s eyes. Yes! “Do it, Tyler. Our kids can grow up
