Taming Toni: A Second Chance Romance: Greyson Girls, #2

By Lexi Richards

Antoinette Greyson, a free-spirited soul seeking an escape from reality, finds herself in the bustling streets of New York City. Little did she know that her temporary respite would lead her straight into the arms of Pierce Rossi, a man she never expected to see again after their unforgettable one-night stand.

For Pierce, a chance encounter with Antoinette, also known as Toni, feels like a stroke of luck. Spending a day at MoMA with his sister Addy was not his idea of fun, but fate had other plans. Seeing Toni again brings back memories of a love lost twelve years ago, when she disappeared without a trace, leaving him without a goodbye or a way to contact her.

Now, as destiny intertwines their lives once more, Pierce is determined to make Toni his forever. He believes that their reunion is more than mere coincidence—it's a sign that they are meant to be together. With a newfound determination, Pierce sets out to convince Toni that their love is worth fighting for.

"Taming Toni" is a heartwarming tale of second chances, the power of destiny, and the enduring nature of true love. Will Toni open her heart to the possibility of a future with Pierce, or will past wounds and fears keep them apart? Join them on their journey as they navigate the unpredictable twists and turns of life, proving that sometimes fate has a way of bringing two souls back together.

If you crave a captivating romance filled with unforgettable characters, second-chance love, and the undeniable pull of destiny, then "Taming Toni" is a must-read for you. Get ready to be swept away by a story that will make you believe in the power of true love and the magic of fate.

Don't miss out on this enchanting tale of love, destiny, and the resilience of the human heart. Grab your copy of "Taming Toni" now and let yourself be swept away by a love story that transcends time and circumstances.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LadyAlex Productions
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224068340

Book preview

Lexi Richards

Taming Toni

A Second Chance Romance (Greyson Girls Book 2)

First published by Ladyalex Productions 2022

Copyright © 2022 by Lexi Richards

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Lexi Richards asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Lexi Richards has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Chapter One

Toni

Are you sure you want to move? one of my sisters asks with teary eyes. We’ve just started to get along so well. I’m not ready to lose that.

I give my older sister a smile, trying to cover up all the difficult emotions I have on the inside. Max hasn’t always been one to show so much emotion. Since mom died, she always felt like she had to hold the pieces together for us. She’s leaning her weight on her husband, Sebastian, while my niece, Gabrielle, lays on her chest. Max’s heartbreak is evident in her tearful eyes, but she doesn’t stop bouncing her toddler as she looks at me.

Her new little family is what partly inspired me to move in the first place. After staying in my hometown for so long, I never thought I would want to live anywhere else. Especially considering Max moved back a couple of years ago after being gone for a decade. It’s still been a difficult decision to leave everything behind to try and live my dream.

Especially when I look at Gabrielle. Spending the first year of her life as an aunt for the first time is a blessing I could never take for granted. Her body is limp with deep sleep, and I smooth some of her dark hair out of her face. I wanted the chance to tell her goodbye, but she wore herself out today. All of our family was at the main estate today to help me get ready to leave for New York. She’s run around all day laughing her head off, having the time of her life. That’s worth it to me.

Max, Seb, and Gabrielle have taught me a lot over the past two years. Now, I’m brave enough to go on my own adventure.

I promise I’ll video call you a couple of times a week, and I’ll come to see you guys as often as I can, never missing a holiday. There’s no way I can miss out on this one growing up, huh? I comfort her before looking down at her belly, which grows by the minute. I also promise I’ll be here when that little guy is born, I’m not missing the birth of my first nephew.

My words only make her cry harder before she asks, Promise?

Cross my heart.

That seems to make her feel slightly better. "

Take care of her, Seb. I’ll see you guys soon. I hate to rush it, but I have to start with the goodbyes before I start crying too.

Her husband smiles at me, and it seems silly that I said that. Sebastian has always taken care of my big sister ever since they were little kids. No matter how hard Max tried to fight it, I always knew they would find their way back to each other. I don’t have anything like that in life, no one who’s waiting on me. Why continue wasting my time when I could be doing what I want with it?

Take care of yourself, Toni, he says with an easy smile and warm eyes. And if you’re not back here soon, I won’t hesitate to come to New York and bring you back myself.

I’m sure you will, I laugh before waving at everyone and sliding into the town car that will take me to the airport.

The flight to New York is an anxious one. All the time sitting there allows my mind to go crazy with all the possibilities of how I could become a failure and break my own heart. But everything changes when we break the clouds, and I can see New York’s skyline, and it takes my breath away. The most euphoric sense of home rushes through me and I get all the confirmation I need to know I made the right decision.

I take time to soak in everything about my new life as I get my luggage and find my driver. My elbow rests on the door as my head lays on my arm, so I have the perfect view out of my window. It feels like I can breathe for the first time in a very long time.

The brownstone the driver stops in front of is everything I could have ever dreamed of. The movers are already here, getting everything inside. Everything worked out better than I could ever hope for. Walking inside, it’s amazing how much bigger everything seems from the inside of my new house after I expected the opposite. Max picked the house out for me, and I’d specifically told her I didn’t need anything that big since it’s only me. Of course, she didn’t listen.

I do a quick survey of my new place and realize there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Immediately I get Max on the phone.

Did you make it? she asks with a squeal when she picks up her phone. It always amazes me how different our relationship has become since she found out she was pregnant with Gabrielle.

Yes, I did, thank you very much, and this place is huge! I mean, it’s a two-story in New York, for Christ’s sake. Shouldn’t places like this be saved for people who need all this space?

She laughs off my worries and objections. Maybe you do need all the space. Did you ever think of that?

I roll my eyes at my sister’s antics, but they’re nothing new. Ever since she’s settled down, she’s been urging me to do the same. Max, don’t even start, I tell her in a reproachful tone.

I’m not, I’m not. All I’m saying is that you could use your space as a studio.

Yeah, maybe one of the extra rooms, but what about the other one?

A guest room, duh.

Understanding dawns on me as I realize she hadn’t done this for the reasons I thought. Oh, so are you trying to come and visit me too?

She’s quiet for a moment. Of course I want to, Toni. I already miss you. Can I come tomorrow?

Okay, I’m sorry; I see now, I tell her with a laugh. I won’t assume anymore. It’s beautiful, thank you. I couldn’t have done any better myself.

Don’t mention it, but Gabrielle is crying. Love you, bye.

I love you, bye.

By the time the movers leave, I’m too exhausted to do anything other than sleep.

Over the next week, my sole focus becomes unpacking my entire life into the very first house I’ve ever been in by myself and painting. I’ve never experienced such peace and quiet before. Suddenly, I have all the time and space to paint as much as I would like for the first time.

At the end of the week, I’m nothing less than refreshed, but I’ve never gone this long without leaving my house, either. I’ve only left for a few necessary trips for food and basic necessities like more paint. Back home, it seemed like I was going somewhere every day. To the next event, the next party, or whatever a friend invited me to that night. It was never-ending. I’ve never had to force myself to get out of the house.

Saturday morning, I decided that I had to get out of the house and get used to my surroundings. This is my new home for the foreseeable future, and I haven’t looked around anywhere. Not to mention my new MoMA membership has sat unused and today seems like the perfect opportunity.

It’s already chilly here, which is new as well, but it gives me time to pull out my amazing winter wardrobe quicker this year to my excitement. A classic look for today. A short black skirt with pantyhose underneath so my legs don’t freeze off, with a tucked-in white blouse and a black beret to top it all off.

As soon as I slide out of the car, I’m lost in amazement. I’ve been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things, but this was never something I’d managed to see in person before now. The sidewalk in front of the museum is busy, but my body melds between them at a steady pace. Nothing’s going to hinder me from reaching my destination now. The stairs are grand, and I take them confidently.

I know I should stop on the lower levels and look at all the exhibits, but there’s one section I want to look at more than anything else. My feet carry me all the way to the paintings. Time slips away from me as I travel between each work of art in contemplation.

There’s a vivid piece of work that captures my attention longer than the others as old memories play in my mind. My art has never been something I talk about much with those I’m close with, but there was always one person that supported and encouraged me at every turn. I remember my mother watching my first unsure strokes and cheering me on every time