Page 48 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

“Thanks for bringing me,” she replies, her smile softening. “This... this is perfect.”

We picnic on the shore,a blanket spread out beneath us as we dig into a basket of her favorite foods. Tania laughs as I struggle to open a bottle of sparkling water, the cork refusing to budge.

“Need help?” she asks, her tone teasing.

“I’ve got this,” I reply stubbornly, only for the cork to finally pop with a loudcrack, sending a spray of water everywhere.

She squeals, holding up her hands as the droplets hit her dress. “Levi!”

“Oops,” I say, grinning sheepishly. “I told you I had it.”

She glares at me, though the corners of her mouth twitch with suppressed laughter. “You’re lucky I like you.”

“I’m lucky you love me,” I counter, handing her a glass.

She shakes her head but clinks her glass against mine, her smile breaking free. “Cheers to surviving the sparkling water debacle.”

“Cheers,” I reply, laughing.

As the day winds down,we sit on the deck wrapped in a blanket, the lake shimmering in the moonlight. The stars above are endless, their light casting a soft glow over the water.

“Did you ever think we’d be here?” Tania asks, her voice quiet.

I glance at her, her profile silhouetted against the night sky. “Honestly? I hoped. But I didn’t know if we’d find our way back.”

She looks at me, her eyes filled with something I can’t quite name. “I’m glad we did.”

“Me too,” I say, my voice soft. “You’ve given me more than I ever thought I’d have, Tania.”

She rests her head on my shoulder, her hand slipping into mine. “You’re not so bad yourself, Nichols.”

I laugh lightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll take that as a win.”

We sit in comfortable silence, the world around us fading as we hold each other close. And for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels exactly as it should.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Tania

The sun filters through the trees as we walk along the quiet trail near the villa. The air smells of pine and earth, and the soft crunch of leaves beneath our feet is the only sound, save for Levi’s occasional commentary about how I’m “always racing ahead.”

“I’m not racing,” I call over my shoulder, grinning. “You’re just slow.”

“Slow?” he repeats, catching up to me in a few long strides. “I’m pacing myself. You know, enjoying the view.”

“Sure you are,” I tease, rolling my eyes. “It’s not like you’re distracted by anything important out here.”

He smirks, his green eyes glinting. “I didn’t say the view was the trail.”

I laugh, shoving him lightly as we continue walking. It’s easy, comfortable—the kind of moment that feels like a glimpse of what our life could be.

We round a bend in the path, and ahead is a small clearing where a couple stands by the edge of the lake. The man is pointing something out on the water while the woman laughs, her head tilted back in delight.

As we approach, the man turns, and his eyes widen slightly when he sees us. “Well, hello,” he says, his smile widening. “Didn’t think we’d run into anyone out here.”

“Small world,” Levi replies, his tone polite but neutral.

The man’s gaze flicks to me, lingering just a second too long. “And who might you be?”

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