Page 1 of The Billionaire's Second Chance
Chapter 1
Hadley Shaw grabbed the buzzing phone slowly inching itself to the edge of her desk. Her posture softened as she read the caller ID: Pierce Westwood, one of her best friends since college.
“Hey, Pierce, I’m leaving the office now. I promise I won’t miss my flight.” She turned, looking out the window. A few years ago, she’d opened her own real estate company, Hadley Shaw Reality, and her business space overlooked a park. She’d never had the opportunity to visit, but at least she could live vicariously through the people who did.
Which made attending her best friend’s wedding all the more appealing since it was taking place in Luck Lake, a small town in the Black Hills of South Dakota. His wedding was the reason she’d spent the morning handing out tasks to her office staff, so she had time to run home and pack before catching her midafternoon flight.
“I hope not. This is not an area you want to drive through at night. You’ll miss all the scenery.” He chuckled. “Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up? I don’t mind.”
Part of her wanted to say yes, but the two-hour drive to Luck Lake with limited cell reception was too enticing. She struggled to recall an extended amount of time where her phone wasn’t ringing. “No, I’m actually looking forward to the drive from the airport.”
“Okay. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t failing in my host duties.” He laughed.
She smiled. He’d always been a sweet guy. They’d even dated a little, but it didn’t work out. The next thought knocked the breath out of her.
Lincoln Novak.
Five years later, and her heart still stung when his name floated to mind. She’d planned to marry him, but life had taken them from Texas to opposite sides of the country—him to Florida and her to California. Not long ago, she’d caught an article on him inForbeswhen he’d been profiled for their top-thirty billionaires. Her chest had swelled with pride for him—her guy and how successful he’d become, opening his own brokerage firm.
“No, you’re good.” She pulled the phone from her ear and checked the time. “Okay, I’m walking out now,” she said as she stood, sandwiching the phone between her ear and shoulder as she grabbed her purse and briefcase.
“I’ll see you later.”
They said their goodbyes, and she tossed the phone in her purse as she stepped onto the elevator. Once the doors shut, she sagged. She loved her career in real estate, but lately, it seemed so…monotonous and unfulfilling. Wake up, work, come home, and the cycle repeated itself endlessly.
It had been one of the points of tension between her and Link. She’d found success as a real estate agent, and it had taken him a while to find his footing. But, boy, had he found it. To tell the truth, she’d been a little surprised to see him in the magazine. He’d always been so carefree and wild…and fun. He’d never cared about packing his daily schedule with things to do. But he also hadn’t aged out of the foster system, which meant he had nothing to prove. Most would have said Hadley didn’t either, but that was never how she saw it.
The elevator jostled as it landed on the first floor, and the doors opened, letting the real world back in. It was a couple of weeks with an ex-boyfriend. She’d handled tougher situations than that and walked away unscathed. Link was the past, and she had a career she’d built from nothing.What ifonly caused grief. Dreams and fantasy had no place in the real world. Still…those two little words seemed to follow her no matter how successful she was.
* * *
Puttingthe phone to his ear, Lincoln Novak waited for the line to pick up. In just a few short hours, he’d be landing in South Dakota to attend Pierce Westwood’s wedding. They’d been best friends since college, and Pierce had asked him to be the best man.
It had been a wild story. After purchasing a town called Luck Lake, Pierce had reconnected with his childhood crush, Bethany Holland, and they’d gotten engaged almost a year earlier on Thanksgiving. Once Link met her, he could understand the appeal—she was as sweet as she was beautiful. He’d liked her, and he was glad his friend was happy.
“Hey, Link. How’s it going?” asked Pierce.
“I’m good. Two weeks left of bachelorhood. You ready?” Link shoved away thoughts about their mutual friend, Hadley Shaw. When he’d pictured his future, she’d been the Mrs. to his Mr., but she’d been so focused on her career that he’d let her go.
Granted, it had been good for him. He’d never pictured himself as the corporate-money type, but he’d found himself playing the stock market, and the next thing he knew, he'd opened a brokerage firm. It had been fun, but…he forced the thought away. That was a rabbit hole he wanted to avoid.
Pierce laughed. “Yeah, I’m ready. I’ve been ready.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Are you—”
“Going to be okay with Hadley being there? Yeah, I’ll be fine. The past is the past. I’ve missed her friendship.” The words gushed out of him before his heart could catch up to his brain. “It’ll be great seeing her,” he said, putting all the confidence he could muster into the last sentence.
Pierce took a long drag of air. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” Link left off thenot.
In reality, he had no idea how he’d react when he saw Hadley. It was like combat training. As long as the bullets were rubber, bravery was easy. Once it was live fire, self-preservation took over. Whether he chose fight or flight would be a mystery until he was face to face with her. Although, flight was currently edging out the fight option.
“Awesome. It’ll be great having you two here. It’s been so long since we’ve hung out together.”
Link nodded. “Yeah, it has.” He smiled. “I’m looking forward to seeing both of you.”
“Okay. You’re sure about driving here? I can pick you up, man.”
“Nah, I’ve got it. My phone is filled with music, and I’m ready for a little solitude.” Plus, it would give him a chance to get ready for the next two weeks with Hadley. She’d chosen the path she wanted, and he had to accept it.
