Page 4 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

My phone buzzes, breaking my spiral of thoughts. I glance at the screen and groan.

Levi Nichols.

I consider ignoring it, but I know him well enough to know he’ll just keep calling until I answer. With a resigned sigh, I swipe to accept the call.

“Levi,” I say, my voice flat.

“Tania,” he replies smoothly, his tone annoyingly confident. “Have you thought about my proposal?”

“I have,” I say, gripping the phone tightly. “And it’s ridiculous.”

He chuckles softly, the sound infuriatingly familiar. “Ridiculous, maybe. But necessary. I wasn’t joking when I said I need someone I can trust for this.”

“I’m not sure trust is the word I’d use to describe us,” I snap.

There’s a pause on the other end, and for a moment, I think I’ve caught him off guard. But when he speaks again, his voice is quieter, almost... sincere.

“Tania, I know I don’t deserve your trust. But this isn’t about the past. It’s about what we both need right now.”

His words hit too close to home, and I hate that he’s right. My firm is drowning, and the payout he’s offering would be more than enough to save it. I’ve spent years building Caldwell PR from the ground up, pouring every ounce of energy into making it a success. I can’t let it fail now.

But agreeing to Levi’s plan would mean letting him back into my life. Letting him close enough to remind me of everything I’ve spent three years trying to forget.

“I need time to think,” I say finally, my voice strained.

“You have until tonight,” Levi replies, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Meet me at Bianchi’s at seven. If you’re not there, I’ll assume the answer is no.”

He hangs up before I can protest, and I slam my phone onto the desk with a frustrated groan.

The hours drag by,and by the time I step into the upscale Italian restaurant that evening, my nerves are shot. The maître d’ greets me with a warm smile, leading me to a private table in the back where Levi is already waiting.

He stands when he sees me, his suit impeccable as always, his green eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I falter, memories of the man I used to love crashing over me. But then I remember the hurt, the heartbreak, and I square my shoulders.

“Right on time,” he says, gesturing for me to sit.

I slide into the chair opposite him, my expression guarded. “Let’s get this over with.”

Levi smirks, but there’s a flicker of something else in his eyes—something that almost looks like regret. “Straight to the point. I always liked that about you.”

I ignore the comment, folding my hands on the table. “Tell me how this is supposed to work.”

He leans forward, his gaze steady. “It’s simple. We go public with the engagement. Attend a few events together. Convince the investors that I’m settling down and focused on long-term stability. Once the merger goes through, we quietly call it off. No harm, no foul.”

I narrow my eyes. “And what happens if someone finds out it’s fake?”

“They won’t,” Levi says confidently. “I’ll make sure of it.”

His certainty is maddening, but I can’t deny the logic behind his plan. If we pull this off, it could mean everything for my firm. But the thought of pretending to be in love with Levi again, of standing by his side while the world watches, makes my chest ache.

“And what do I get out of this?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

“Enough money to save Caldwell PR and then some,” he says without hesitation. “Think of it as an investment in your future.”

His words cut deeper than I’d like to admit. Levi knows how much my firm means to me, just like he knows I’d do almost anything to protect it. That’s why he chose me for this charade—because he knows I’m desperate.

I hate that he’s right. But more than that, I hate that part of me still wants to say yes.

I take a deep breath, my resolve hardening. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

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