One More Chance: A Small Town Fake Relationship Romance

By Liz Durano

Giana

It’s not easy working for billionaire heir Bryce Holden III, not when all he ever does is party and party some more all while I make sure all his to-dos on his To Do list get done.

When he botches an important presentation after a wild night on the town, his father issues him an ultimatum: straighten up or get cut off from the family fortune.

So he proposes we pretend to be engaged for the next 30 days while he straightens out his life and in return, he’ll take care of my grandmother’s medical expenses. It’s a win-win proposition and as long as we lay low, thirty days will go by fast.

But when his mother insists on planning the wedding of the century the town of Auburn Springs will never forget, where do I draw the line and put a stop to the charade?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Durano
• Release date: Jun 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005336301

Liz Durano

Though she studied journalism and advertising in college, Liz Durano discovered that she preferred writing romantic fiction more than news and ad copy.She lives in Southern California with her family where she spends her days writing her novels, procrastinating on household chores, and drinking way too much coffee. And when she’s not writing, procrastinating or feeling over-caffeinated, she’s stepping over Legos, sculpting trains out of Play-Doh, and listening to her little munchkin tell her stories for a change.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

GIANA

Oh, Helena, it really is you!

My grandmother gets up to meet me with a warm embrace, one that’s made bittersweet by her words. It’s Giana, Grandma.

She grimaces. Oh, right. I’m sorry, you just look so much like your mother these days. I can’t imagine what she’s going through. To be losing your mind and knowing it is a hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I’m so glad you’re here, though. I get so lonely here.

I didn’t want to put my grandmother in a home but I didn’t have much choice. The day the neighbors found her walking along the highway because she said she was late teaching at the college, I knew she couldn’t live on her own anymore. I had to put her somewhere where she could be safe. Maybe if I got that promotion, things would turn around, but for now, I have to make do with what I have.

At least, the place is nice even though I was hoping to get her into a nicer facility across town. She has a comfortable bed, a big TV, a laptop to keep in touch with, and her room is all her own complete with a huge window. It tries to feel like a hotel more than a nursing home, which is something I appreciate.

How’s your work been going? Do you have any big projects? As she smiles, I’m glad she still remembers what I do for a living even as bits and pieces slip by her. Alzheimers. They caught it early and we’re determined to fight it every step of the way.

I just got assigned to do this proposal for a hotel. And this time, I get to work with the company president’s son.

Bryce Holden, Jr. An arrogant suit if there ever was one, coasting by on the circumstances of his birth. Rich and handsome, he doesn’t need anything more than that. He’s destined to have an easy life and never know adversity. I’ve only seen him from a distance, and I’m certain he has no idea who I am. My supervisor had pretty much implied that I was going to do all the work while Bryce’s name would be used to promote it, that this was an opportunity for me even if I have to share credit with someone who’d do nothing.

Where’s this one? Do you have to leave town again? My grandmother sits down on her bed as I pull up a chair next to her. I love how proud she is of my accomplishments. She and my mother always were and even now, gracing one of the walls of the old house with framed copies of my blueprints.

This one’s right here, Grandma, a resort hotel in the valley. They’re actually interested in green building concepts for the entire project which just happens to be my specialty. They definitely want something a bit more unique than the standard glass box.

Really? She squeezes my hand. You must be so excited.

Not excited to be sharing credit with some silver spoon handsome idiot, but excited all the same.

Handsome idiot? Do you have a crush on this handsome idiot, Hel… I mean, Giana?

Me? A crush on Bryce Holden, Jr.? Absurd. My references to his handsomeness are just a statement of fact. Even if I admit to an attraction, he’s way out of my league. Guys like him don’t go for frumpy nerds like me. Thinking about anything between us is a complete waste of energy. You’re way off the mark here, Grandma.

I just noticed you haven’t brought a boyfriend with you in quite some time. You can’t go through life all alone, dear.

I’ve been busy trying to make this career work. Not a lot of time for a social life. As an intern at Holden Designs, I don’t make enough money yet.

You really should make time. Don’t let your youth pass you by, dear. Working hard only gets you so far, and you know this.

Sighing, I pick on an imaginary loose thread on my blouse. As if I’m busy enough at the firm, a lot of it is anxiety, too. My mothers’ passing didn’t leave me or Grandma with a lot left over financially especially after all the medical bills were paid off. Grandma’s diagnosis was another curveball I didn’t expect and as the only family she has left, it’s up to me to make sure she’s well taken care of, no matter what happens.

But she’s right about making time for myself. My friends keep trying to get me to go out more, but after putting in overtime at the firm, all I want to do as soon as I’m done working is to go home and face plant into the couch, proceeding to not move for the next twelve hours.

A pretty girl like you should have no trouble finding a man, Grandma continues. You put yourself out there and soon you’ll be beating them off with a stick.

I chuckle dryly. I’d prefer to not be in situations where I have to defend myself with a stick. And guys are less crazy about girls like me than you’d think, Grandma. People want fit, tanned and fancy, not some pudgy girl with glasses who’d wear sweatpants to work if she wouldn’t be called out on it.

I think you’re beautiful, Giana, she says, her brow furrowing as if a thought comes to her. Aren’t girls wearing yoga pants everywhere nowadays? Why not wear sweatpants?

It’s corporate casual. I don’t think I could get away with yoga pants either. If I could, I would have.

She shakes her head. Get out there. Spend some time and money on yourself. The last thing I ever want for you is to be alone.

Alzheimers or no, she’s still my grandmother and she undoubtedly wants what’s best for me. Family-wise, we only have each other.

I will, Grandma, but for now? I want to spend that time with you, I say with a slight smile.

Why don’t we watch that one movie? I remember you really liking it, and Helena really liked it, too.

You mean the one about the ticket attendant who rescues a billionaire on the train tracks and ends up with the carpenter brother instead?

That one. She pats the space next to her. I’m in the mood for something romantic. Who knows? Maybe it will rub off, hmm?

I chuckle. Sounds like fun.

I climb on the bed next to her as she presses the Play button. I actually have to do site plan sketches for Bryce’s proposal but that can wait. Losing my mother taught me to cherish every moment with Grandma as much as I can, especially on days when she actually knows who I am.

CHAPTER TWO

BRYCE

Another morning, another hangover.

I groan and roll over in bed. I don’t want to get up yet, not when it feels like there’s a battery ram running through my head. All I want to do is sleep in but there’s a gap in the curtain where the sun’s shining right in my eyes. I reach for another pillow next to me but my hand encounters a face instead.

I prop myself up on one elbow. Who the hell are you?

I glare at the woman next to me. She’s as naked as I am, her blonde hair a mess, and if I have to guess from the way she peers at me with one eye open, is probably dealing with the same level of hangover I’m in.

Oh, Bryce, last night was wonderful. Her voice is as raspy as mine, thick with sleep.

I’m glad to hear that, but who are you?

Oh, Bryce, you’re so funny. I’m Fran, she replies, sighing dramatically. You have to remember me. We had the most wonderful night together. You were amazing, baby.

Bits and pieces of the night before play back inside my head. It was one night of many with me going out to one of the newest clubs in town and getting drunk in the process. That’s what fun is supposed to be, right? Although whatever fun I’m supposed to have lately hasn’t been enough. Something’s been missing. Maybe it worked for a few months until the day I wake up barely remembering the woman sleeping next to me.

I also remember other things. And because of that, I can’t just smother myself under the pillows and hope to go back to sleep, not when Dad wants me to get started on some big important green building project. Sure, I have a degree in architecture but my masters is in business development. Too bad Dad keeps insisting I need to know the production side of things if I’m to take over the firm one day.

He’s right, of course, but he also expects too much of me and so I end up having to have some poor underling do all the work while I take full credit. It’s dumb but my father insists it’s the only way I’ll know how to run the business when he’s gone. It’s as if I hadn’t spent three years learning everything I could about the business as an intern at one of the country’s top architectural firms in New York.

I rake my fingers through my hair as I sit up. Well, Fran. You’ll need to show yourself out because I’ve got a lot to do this morning and not much time to do it.

She pouts, batting her eyelashes. You’ll call me later, right? I’d love for you to take me out to dinner tonight.

Sorry, babe, I have other plans.

Fran pouts even more but gets out of bed, sauntering toward the bathroom without a stitch of clothing on. As she shuts the door behind her, I lay back in bed and groan.

What can I say? Sometimes, a one-night stand is simply that, a one-night stand. She’s also throwing off the vibe of someone who’s only after me for being one of Auburn Springs’ most eligible bachelors. She’d laughingly told me so last night when we met at the bar. She even knew my standing, number four with the top spot held by my friend Dr. Tai Okuda. Another friend, Dr. Parker O’Neill ranked number six but he’s actually off the market, having officially gotten engaged over the summer.

Who comes up with these lists anyway and how the hell did my ranking fall two slots from last year?

My phone beeps from the bedside table and as I retrieve it, I can’t help but grin. Speaking of the devil…

Parker: We still up for golf at 1? 

Golf. I’d completely forgotten. I promised Parker I’d help him with his golf swing. I mean, the guy may be one