Second Chance With The Billionaire

Chapter 1

Naomi

I’m sipping my morning coffee while trying to wake up from a less-than-productive night’s sleep when suddenly my phone vibrates on the kitchen counter, breaking the silence of my Sunday morning. I pick it up, seeing an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Is this Naomi James?" The voice is professional but warm.

"Yes, this is Naomi. Can I ask who's calling?"

"This is Mrs. Harper from Sunrise Social Services. We’ve received your application, and I'm pleased to inform you that you've been selected for the Senior Case Manager position."

My heart skips a beat. "Seriously? That's amazing!"

"Congratulations, Naomi. There's just one thing—I need to confirm that you're willing to relocate to our office in Lakewood."

The excitement freezes mid-air. Lakewood. The town I swore I'd never return to.

"Wait, when I applied, it didn't say anything about needing to relocate."

She sighs, "Yes, I'm so sorry about that. We had a position open here, but they decided to transfer someone from another department to it. So, the only position available is at Lakewood. If that's a problem, we completely understand."

"I've been wanting this job forever… It's a dream come true for me. But I wasn't considering relocating. Can I, uh, have a few days to think about it?" I  manage to ask.

"Of course. Please get back to us by Friday."

“I certainly will speak to you soon.”

Hanging up, I slump into the chair, the joy replaced by a gnawing dread.

I know what I need to do. I need to call my best friend. She's the one person I can talk to that levels me. Maybe she can help me make a decision.

"Natalie, you’ll never guess what just happened," I blurt out as soon as she picks up.

"Did you win the lottery?" she laughs. 

"Better. I got the job at Sunrise Social Services."

Natalie's scream pierces the air, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear to prevent a ruptured ear drum.

"That's fantastic! So why do you sound like you just stepped on a Lego?"

“It's in Lakewood."

She goes quiet for a moment. "Lakewood? As in, your hometown? As in... Damon Sinclair?"

"Yes, and yes." I pace around my living room. "I don't know if I can go back there."

Natalie hums thoughtfully. "It's your dream job, though. What’s holding you back more—Damon or the town itself?"

"Both," I admit. "But mostly Damon."

"You could always face him head-on," she suggests with a touch of mischief in her voice.

I groan. "Easier said than done."

"Naomi, Lakewood's not exactly a one-stoplight town anymore. It’s grown. The chances of running into Damon are probably slim."

I sit down, pulling my knees up to my chest. "You think?"

"Absolutely. Besides, it's not like you'll be hanging out at the country club or whatever rich people do."

I laugh despite my worries, "Yeah, I doubt I'll be sipping martinis with the elite."

"See? Plus, you've got that whole helping-people thing going for you. You'll be too busy saving the world to bump into old flames."

"More like trying to save the world," I correct her. "But you have a point."

"And think about it," she continues, her voice brightening. "If you don't take this job because of him, aren't you letting him win?"

My heart clenches at that thought. "I hate it when you're right."

"I know, it's a curse." She chuckles. "But seriously, you've worked too hard to let anything stand in your way now."

I stand and start pacing again, staring out the window at the bustling city below. "You’re right," I admit. "I can't let my past dictate my future."

"That's the spirit!" Natalie cheers.

"But if I do see him... What if it brings back all those feelings?"

"Then you'll deal with them," she says matter-of-factly. "You're stronger now than you were back then. And who knows? Maybe seeing him will give you some closure."

I snort. "Closure? With Damon? That's like trying to find a unicorn."

Natalie laughs. "Okay, bad choice of words. But still, it's worth a shot."

"Alright," I say slowly, feeling a bit more resolute. "I'll call Mrs. Harper back and accept the job."

"That's my girl! And hey, if it gets too tough, you can always call me for an emergency pep talk."

"I'll hold you to that," I say with a smile.

After hanging up, I feel a strange mix of anxiety and excitement coursing through me. Lakewood might hold ghosts from my past, but maybe she's right, maybe it's time to face them head-on.

I take a deep breath and pick up the phone again, dialing Mrs. Harper's number before I can second-guess myself.

“Mrs. Harper? It’s Naomi James.”

“Oh, Naomi! Have you made your decision already?”

“Yes,” I say firmly. “I’ll take the position in Lakewood.”

“Oh, wonderful! I’m excited you’ve gotten back to us so soon.”

As we go over the details of my new role and relocation plans, including a fully furnished apartment, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nervous anticipation.

“We’ll give you a few weeks to get settled into your new place so that you feel ready to conquer your first day,” she says sweetly.

“Thank you so much,” I respond. “I’m excited to get started!”

“Perfect,” she responds cheerily, “I’ll email you your information and paperwork. Welcome aboard Naomi.”

The line goes dead, and reality sets in.

Here goes nothing.

I spend the next few days at war with myself, making a pros and cons list, yet ultimately deciding to put my big girl panties on and pack my things and head for Lakewood.

I know the job doesn’t start for a few weeks, but I’d like to attempt to get settled before my first day. Granted, I’m not sure there will ever be much “settling” when Damon Sinclair is involved. 

***

As I drift towards the I-40 corridor, I grab my phone. I can’t wait to let my brother Marcus know that I’m moving back home. It’s the last thing he probably expects, but I know he will be excited.

He answers on the second ring, 

“Hey Nay, is everything okay?” 

“Of course,” I respond. “I just wanted to be the first to tell you my big news.”

“Big news? Are you pregnant?” he asks, his voice laced with concern. 

I struggle to maintain my composure, “Not that big Marcus, just I’m moving back to Lakewood big.”

“Don’t joke like that, Naomi. You’ll have me standing by the window waiting for you to pull in the drive. I’ve missed the hell out of you, kid.”

“Well, if you want to stand in front of the window in approximately…” I look down toward the GPS, highlighting the time of my arrival, “say 2:15, then you probably will see me pulling in.”

“No way, how the hell did this come about?” he says, and I can almost picture the splitting smile across his face. 

“Well, I scored my dream job, but as luck would have it, it’s located in hell, aka where you still reside,” I say, accompanied by an eye roll. 

“Come on, Naomi, it won’t be so bad. You just expect the worst.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Don’t get used to me admitting that thought,” I laugh out loud. 

“I know better than that. Be careful. I’ll see you in a few hours,” he says.

“Will do. Bye, Marcus.”

I look at the rearview, bidding my old life goodbye, and for some reason I’m not near as sad, or as nervous as I expected.

***

I swing by Marcus’ to pick him up, making him an unwilling participant in helping unload all the belongings I have managed to cram into my small SUV. He continues to stare at me as we drive, almost like I’m some figment of his imagination, not his little sister returning to the place she ran away from years ago with her tail tucked between her legs.

We arrive at my apartment. It isn’t stellar-looking by any means, but if it’s a safe place to lay my head at night, then I’m not one to complain.

We make our way up the stairs, arms loaded down with boxes. I set mine down and put in the code Mrs. Harper emailed to unlock the door. It swings open and I’m met with a modest but cozy space that will certainly do the job. 

"You sure about this?" he asks, setting down a box labeled 'Kitchen Stuff.'

"Nope," I reply honestly, leaning against the doorway.

He chuckles. "Well, you’re stuck, because I’m already used to having you back. 

I smile, the realization that  Marcus and I are in the same zip code again hitting me. "Thanks for helping, Marcus. I'd be buried in cardboard without you."

"That's what big brothers are for," he says, flashing a rare smile.

We spend the next few hours unpacking, sorting through my life one box at a time. I pull out a framed photo of us from years ago, both grinning like fools at a family barbecue.

"Remember this?" I hold it up.

Marcus looks over and nods. "Yeah, that was before I learned the perils of your cooking."

I laugh. "Hey, I've improved since then."

"I'll believe it when I taste it."

As the sun dips below the horizon, we take a break on my couch, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes and scattered belongings.

"How's work?" I ask him.

"Busy as ever. But you know me, I thrive on chaos."

I nod. "You've always been good at managing it. Unlike me."

"Don't sell yourself short, Naomi. You've been handling your own kind of chaos for years."

"True," I admit. "But social work and corporate business are two different beasts."

"They are," he agrees. "But you're making a difference. That's what counts."

A comfortable silence settles between us as we sip on cold beers from my new fridge.