Page 6 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

“She thinks it’s fine,” I say, cutting in before Tania can respond. My tone is clipped, and I see Tania’s brow arch slightly at my interruption.

Ethan straightens, glancing at me with polite curiosity. “It’s important she feels comfortable with her choice, Mr. Nichols. After all, she’ll be wearing it every day.”

“I’m well aware,” I say, taking the ring from him and slipping it back onto Tania’s finger myself. Her hand is soft in mine, and when her eyes meet mine, I can’t tell if she’s annoyed or something else entirely.

“It’s beautiful,” she says after a moment, her voice measured.

Ethan beams. “Excellent choice. Shall I prepare the paperwork?”

I nod, barely glancing at him. My focus is on Tania, who’s staring at the ring with a distant expression.

When Ethan disappears to finalize the transaction, I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Are you okay?”

She blinks, startled by the question. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’ve been quiet,” I say, studying her face. “I know this isn’t exactly how you imagined shopping for an engagement ring.”

She lets out a dry laugh, pulling her hand free from mine. “That’s an understatement. But it’s fine. This is just business, right?”

The way she says it—calm, detached—grates on me. I nod anyway, even though every part of me wants to argue. “Right.”

As we leave the jeweler,the tension between us is palpable. Tania walks a step ahead of me, her posture stiff, the ring glinting on her finger like a silent reminder of what I’ve dragged her into.

“Wait,” I say, catching her arm gently as we step onto the sidewalk. She stops but doesn’t turn to face me.

“What is it, Levi?” she asks, her voice tired.

“I just... wanted to say thank you,” I say, my words careful. “For doing this.”

She finally looks at me, her expression unreadable. “You already said thank you. And I already agreed. Let’s not make this more complicated than it needs to be.”

Her words cut deeper than I expect, and I let go of her arm, stepping back. “Right. Of course.”

She starts to walk away, but then she pauses, glancing over her shoulder. “Why did you get so worked up in there?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“With the jeweler,” she says, her tone pointed. “You acted like he wasn’t allowed to talk to me.”

I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “He was being unprofessional.”

Tania narrows her eyes. “Unprofessional, or just interested in someone who isn’t yours?”

The question hangs between us, sharp and dangerous. I want to tell her she’s wrong, that this has nothing to do with jealousy. But the truth is, it has everything to do with jealousy. Seeing Ethan slide that ring onto her finger, watching the way he looked at her—it made my blood boil.

But admitting that to her would only complicate things, so I say nothing.

Tania’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before she shakes her head. “This is just business, Levi. Remember that.”

She turns and walks away, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, the sound of her heels clicking against the pavement echoing in my ears.

I watch her until she disappears around the corner, my chest tightening with a mix of frustration and something I can’t quite name.

It’s just business. That’s what she keeps saying.

So why does it already feel like so much more?

Chapter Five

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