Alpha Billionaire Series

ADDIE

The two little, pink lines on the stick don't lie: I'm pregnant.

Maybe I should be scared or worried about telling the father like most women in my position might be, but I'm not. Confidence and excitement fill me because I am in love with the most amazing man in the world. His name is Tanner Beckett and when I tell him tonight that we're going to have a baby, I know that he's going to be just as excited as I am.

Two months ago, I met Tanner at the small flower shop where I work. He came in to order an arrangement to send to his younger sister for her birthday. I helped him pick out the prettiest flowers we had, and he'd lingered much longer than necessary. Before leaving, he asked me on a date. I couldn't say yes fast enough even though I'd like to think I played coy. At least a little.

Who am I kidding?He was the hottest man I'd ever seen, and an electric attraction sparked immediately between us. The moment he asked me out, I probably turned into a babbling fool.

Yes, yes, yes!

The next day, Tanner picked me up in his fancy car, took me to a huge field dotted with colorful tulips and we spent the afternoon picking them. I love flowers and it was the perfect first date. Something magical happened in that field of tulips and even though we'd just met, it was overwhelming and instantaneous. I can't say we fell in love because it was only our first date, but the feeling between us...

I'm not sure how to accurately describe it because I'd never experienced anything like that before. But that was the beginning of our whirlwind romance. It's almost like we already knew each other. I've never been a believer in past lives, destiny or any similar hocus-pocus, but Tanner made me reconsider the concept of soulmates.

Because I knew almost from the moment we met that he was mine.

We began to spend a lot of time together and even though our lives were polar opposite in nearly every way, we connected on a soul-deep level. Tanner Beckett is my person and everything about him makes my heart sing. I know him better than anyone else in this entire world so when I tell him we're expecting, I know he's going to be as happy as I am.

When it comes to Tanner, I have no doubts. He's upfront and communicates well. I love the fact that he doesn't play games and he knows exactly what he wants. There's no guesswork, just an absolute, almost indescribable joy when I'm with him. sitting on my bed, I reach over and pick up the framed picture on my nightstand. It's Tanner and I wearing knit caps, snowflakes dancing around us, cheeks ruddy and Christmas lights in the background. He's grinning at the camera and I'm kissing his cheek. It's my absolute favorite picture of us and I love it for so many reasons. But mostly because it captures the essence of us.

Of our love story.

I'take a moment to admire his handsome looks- thick, dark brown hair, striking hazel eyes, broad shoulders and oh-so-tall. My heart kicks up a notch and my thoughts turn steamy when I think back to the night, we consummated our relationship. We'd been dating three weeks and the heat between us was near the boiling point. But I'm not the kind of girl who falls into bed with a man after only a few dates.

No way. 'm slow, deliberate and certain before I decide to sleep with a man. That's probably why Tanner was only the secon man I've gone to bed with. I was only I8 the first time and he'd been my boyfriend for nearly all four years of high school. I trusted him and since it was our last night before he left for college, I had decided it was now or never.

I don't have any fond memories of the actual act, but Billy had been a sweet guy and, let's face it, I made the poor kid wait long enough. We were both virgins and the entire experience was awkward, uncomfortable and a little bumpy. At least for me, anyway. I'd like to think he enjoyed himself.

But sex with Tanner is on a completely different realm. It's intoxicating, super intimate and just thinking about the pleasure he gives me makes my toes curl and heat pool low in my belly. Unlike Billy, Tanner is a man. A man who knows exactly what he's doing.

Chewing on my lower lip, my mind wanders back to last night. I hope my neighbors didn't hear my screams because he had me so worked up, I didn't know my right from left. Shifting on the bed, I realize that I'm still a little sore.

I set the picture back on the nightstand and grab my phone. Even being away from Tanner for a couple of hours feels like forever. It's strange how someone can become such an important part of your life in such a short amount of time.

Hey, text with a red heart emoji.

A moment later he responds: Hey, sweet girl. Can't wait to see you tonight.

No games. I adore that about him. Tanner is truly the golden standard by which all other men should strive to achieve. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe how down to Earth he is considering his background. His family is wealthy beyond imagination and Thomas Beckett, his father, owns and operates a technology company worth billions of dollars.

When I first found this out, it made me nervous. I live paycheck to paycheck and my total savings is a little over $2 grand. I didn't grow up wealthy and my family wouldn't have a clue how to behave at a fancy charity event or a polo match at the country club.

We're what you would consider working class. I didn't grow up in a trailer park, but my parents, younger sister Kayla and I grew up in a small house in a blue-collar neighborhood. After my dad died when I was I5, Randy Walker started hanging around and, eventually, my mom married him. I think it was more out of convenience than any true feelings for the a*****e. After losing my dad, my mom was never the same. Jason Hayes had been her soulmate, the love of her life, and when he died, the loss had sent her into a tailspin of grief and sorrow that never completely went away.

I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but now I do. I don't think you can completely understand unless you know first-han what it's like to love someone to the depths of your sou. Like with Tanner. When he isn't here with me, it's like my world stops spinning. Like a piece of me is missing.

Needless to say, my mom was devastated when her husband died so unexpectedly at barely 40 years old. Things became harder without him around because he'd been the head of our household. My dad had been a gentle, giant bear of a man who was the glue keeping us together. After he passed, everything changed.

And not for the better.

Randy Lewis weaseled his way into our lives, and everything went downhill. My stepfather is, and always has been, a first- class jerk. He drinks excessively, gambles too much and smokes like a chimney. If it's a disgusting vice, he possesses it. The biggest issue is he doesn't treat my mom with the respect and kindness that she deserves. It pisses me off, but there isn't much I can do. She chose to marry the asswipe and no matter what I say, she doesn’t seem to care. It's almost like she's given up and that makes me sad.

The moment I turned I8, I moved out and found my own place with a couple of girlfriends. I didn't care how much it cost. Three years living with Randy had been more than enough and I couldn't live in that depressing house any longer. I got a jo and was able to make ends meet. Barely.

But I'm used to working hard. Nothing was ever handed to me. I went to public school, got good grades and had my eye on the local college, but it didn't pan out. Instead, I worked various low-paying jobs while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Time flies, though, and before I knew it, I was 25 with no college diploma.

When Suzette hired me at the local flower shop two years ago, I found my calling. I've always been artistic and have a green thumb. Suzette, the owner of Secret Garden, taught me how to not only design arrangements, but also the ins and outs of running a small business.

And I've never looked back. Secret Garden is my happy place and I enjoy going to work and creating beautiful arrangements for people to help them celebrate the milestones in their lives.

When Suzette retires, my goal is to get a loan and buy the shop. At this point it's a pipe dream because I have no idea if a bank would ever hand me the kind of money I would need. I'm hoping that she and I will be able to work out some kind of a deal for me to take over the business, but I guess only time will tell.

In the meantime, my life just changed dramatically with these two pink lines. I'm not worried or scared, though. There is no doubt in my mind that Tanner will be the best father in the world. I'm hoping he will want to marry me, and we can raise a little family together. I don't need to Live in the lap of luxury or take exotic vacations all over the world.

All need is my man by my side.

I don't give much thought to his money because he could be a pauper and I would still love him. Unlike Randy and my sister Kayla, dollar signs and padded bank accounts never impressed me. I'm more interested in someone's character than what they can afford to buy. I'd rather live with the love of my life in a tiny apartment and be happy than with a wealthy jerk in a mansion and be miserable.

There's a knock at the door and I hop off my bed and quickly make my way through my studio apartment. It costs an arm an a leg to live in New York City, so I have a tiny place, but I've made it cozy and welcoming. I've decorated it with lots of bright colors and have throw pillows, rugs, pictures and candles to perk up the plain white walls and worn wooden floor.

When I open the door, I'm surprised to see my sister Kayla. At 25, she's a few years younger than me and we aren't overly close. But she's going to be the aunt of our baby so I'm hoping she will grow up a little more. Kayla isn't very responsible, especially when it comes to money, and she can be very immature. She likes to “Keep Up with the Joneses” and because she thinks she needs all kinds of expensive things, she’s in some massive credit card debt.

I'm definitely simpler and my tastes aren't nearly as extravagant as hers. And even though she's a little superficial and too worried about what designer is on her clothing labels, I love her. She and I are both on the same page when it comes to disliking Randy and that bonds us more than anything else.

“Hey, sis," she exclaims and waltzes inside. We both have the same dark hair and eyes, but Kayla goes to the salon every few weeks and gets caramel highlights. Mine, on the other hand, is a dark chestnut, almost a perfect match to my chocolate- colored eyes.

Kayla is dressed up like she's going to a garden party at the ladies’ luncheon, and I glance down and look at my plain t-shirt and leggings. Her face is all made up and I barely managed to put on mascara and tinted lotion today. In my defense, thoug! I did have the day off work.

Oh, who am I kidding?I'm much more about easy, casual and comfortable than spending two hours getting ready before I step outside. And Tanner doesn't seem to mind that I'm not a fashion icon in any way, shape or form.

“Hi, Kayla," I say and close the door behind her. “What's up?”

“Oh, you know," she says and waves a perfectly manicured hand through the air. “I was just passing by and thought I'd stop i to say hi to my favorite person.’

She's laying it on a little thick and I'm instantly suspicious and wonder what she wants. “Want anything to drink?” I ask and she shakes her head.

We go sit down on the couch and she eyes my apartment critically. “This place is so small, Addie. I don't know how you don’ die of claustrophobia.’

“First, you can't die from claustrophobia and second, it costs an arm and a leg to live in the city. This is all I can afford right now.”

She shifts, crossing her legs. “What about your boyfriend?"

Iarch a brow. “What about him?"

She scrunches her face up. “He's a freaking billionaire and you're living in this shoe box like a poverty-stricken bum. Why doesn't he set you up in some swank penthouse somewhere uptown?”

Her words make me bristle. I never discuss money with Tanner. Sure, he has a lot of it, and I have barely any. But that doesn’ mean I'm going to take advantage of him. “First of all, it's his money not mine," I remind her tartly. “And second, he isn't a billionaire- that's his father. Besides, I don't want some sugar daddy. I work hard, make my own money and pay my own bill Its called being independent” Something Kayla knows nothing about.

“Clearly,” she mumbles under her breath.

“At least I have a place in the city. You're still living out in South Grove."

My dig hits deep. I know Kayla wants to leave our hometown and move into the city, but she can't afford it.

“I'm working on it," she snaps. “Hopefully, I'l have a nice place here soon enough.” Kayla quickly composes herself. “Ym sorry. I didn't come over here to criticize you. You're doing as well as you can on the meagre salary you make. This place is really...cozy," she finally forces out, looking around, giving me the exact opposite impression of what she says.

I can tell- she hates it. But it's my place and no one can tell me what to do. I can come and go as I please and decorate however I like. Despite her being so critical, I have the freedom to do as I like.

And she doesn't.

I suppress a sigh and wonder what she wants. Kayla always has an agenda and I'm sure this time is no different than any other. “What do you need, Kayla?" I ask, cutting right to the chase.

She wrings her hands and offers me a weak smile. “That obvious, huh?"Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Just a bit”

“Well, I was wondering if you could help me out,” she begins, voice a little hesitant. “Just a little favor and I swear I'll pay you back as soon as I can,” she hurriedly adds.

A frown creases my brow. “You want to borrow money? What money? You just said how meagre my salary is and what a shitbox I live in)" I remind her.

Kayla makes a frustrated sound. “I know you don't have it, but what about Tanner? Okay, so maybe he doesn't have billions. But he most certainly has millions.”

“You want me to ask Tanner to loan you money?” I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is she crazy? Just when I think she can’t be any more self-absorbed than she is, she convinces me otherwise.

“I would never ask, but the credit card companies are breathing down my neck. They call me all day, every day, and I don't know what to do anymore. It's become too much, Addie. I need help.”

Her voice is getting whiny, and I grit my teeth together. I'm not sure how it's my fault that my irresponsible sister has charge: thousands and thousands of dollars on clothes, shoes and makeup. “Maybe you could look into declaring bankruptcy. You're never going to pay those cards down.”

“I could if someone loaned me the money. Then I can make monthly payments back” She stares at me with pleading eyes. “Can't you just ask him. Pretty please? For me?"

“I'm sorry, Kayla, but I don't feel comfortable doing that. Tanner and I don't talk about his money."

“Oh, my God, he's Mr. Freaking Moneybags! He wouldn't even miss $20 grand. It's like a drop in the bucket for him."

“You owe $20 grand?” I ask in complete disbelief. “What the hell, Kayla? Do you even have anything to show for it?"

“That's not really the point. You know I have a weakness when it comes to shopping.”

Her attitude is getting petulant, and I am getting annoyed. “At some point, you need to figure it out. Not expect Tanner to write you a check”

“It's called a favor, Addie!”

“I'm sorry, but you're going to have to call the credit card companies and work out a payment plan.”

“Don't you think I haven't done that already? God, you can be so selfish"

“Me?” I ask in complete disbelief. “You're the one being selfish” Am I wrong here? I wonder. Did I miss something? How is thi my fault and I'm the bad person?

“Fine,” she snaps and jumps up. She spins on me, eyes flashing. “If you won't help me then I'll just have to do something desperate”

I'smirk. My sister, the drama queen. “Like rob a bank?”

“Maybe. Or become a prostitute.”

I struggle not to roll my eyes, not in the mood for her theatrics. “Maybe it'll be like Pretty Woman, and you can find your owr sugar daddy.”

“You're a horrible sister!” she cries, eyes filling with tears.

Guilt fills me as she stomps to the door and throws it open. “Kayla, wait-"

“Not I never ask you for anything and the one time that I do, you make fun of me and throw me to the wolves. Forget I even stopped by. I'll figure it out myself, no thanks to you!”

Kayla slams the door shut behind her and I drop my head against the back of the couch. I wish I could help her, but I don't feel right about asking Tanner to write her a check for that much money. Even though I don't make that much, I guess I coule offer her maybe $50 a week. Although with the debt she owes, I doubt it will even help.

I feel bad, but Kayla is going to have to figure this one out herself.