Page 35 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“No, thank you,” I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair.

I watched her take a large bite, shutting her eyes as the jam spurted onto her cheek. Her tongue immediately sought the errant jam, scooping most of it back into her mouth. She chuckled so quickly it didn’t seem like an accident.

I eased my frozen body and took a few steps toward her, closing the gap between us. Her blue eyes stared at me like deep oceans. My hand reached for her silky cheek, wiping off the jam residue. My thumb lingered near her lips. She stared at me without blinking, both of us holding our breath.

Footsteps approached the door. I snapped out of the spell and pulled my hand back.

“Sorry, I…” Greg bounded into the trailer.

“Greg,” I greeted him meekly.

“Hello, Damon.” He stretched his hands for a handshake.

“I see you and Ava have settled in fine,” I straightened up and approached the door. "I'll check on the others now."

With the door shut behind me, I exhaled a sigh of relief. Ava was on board with keeping our fling a secret, and our night together didn't mean anything to her. But why did that thought make me nauseous?

“Damon, crew meeting in five. Some people need some yelling at,” Sandy's high-pitched voice pierced my ears.

“Make that ten, Sandy. I’ve got some business to attend to,” I ordered, seeing the worried look on Harry's face as he approached me.

"What is it, Harry?" I sighed and rolled my eyes, accepting my fate.

“Robert James,” Harry's hand stretched toward me, handing me his phone.

“Hello, Robert,” I greeted my lawyer, whose calls I had dodged all morning. "I don't have much time, so get to the point."

“Lily Rae. She’s pressing charges,” Robert's deep voice declared bluntly over the phone.

“What do you mean she’s pressing charges?” My throat dried out.

“It’s a scanty list, but it holds water. Coercion, breach of contract, defamation, some 'me too' crap as well—”

“What's your suggestion?” I cut him off while the air around me shot up to a hundred degrees

“We can try an out-of-court settlement,” Robert explained. "Do me a favor, Damon. Don't talk to her under any circumstance. Let me handle it."

He didn't have to convince me hard. I had no plans of talking to Lily Rae anyway. She had been throwing herself at me from day one, and now she was trying to blame me for a consensual arrangement between two adults.

To hell with them all!

“All good here, boys?” Sandy patted my shoulders. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m alright. Just a little stunt with the media.”

Sandy scoffed. “Occupational hazard. I’ve got the whole crew in the tent. We’ll need you there if you don’t mind."

Anything to get my mind off this drama.

Actors huddled up in little groups chit-chatting in the yellow tent. Other crew hands moved equipment around. So far, no one had noticed me come in.

Ava stood in a corner alone, her eyes buried in the script she held. I crossed my arms and watched her rehearse all alone. Her movements were as gracious as they had been at the auditions.

Then out of nowhere, Derek appeared next to her. With his grimy arm around her shoulder, he whispered something to her. Something funny enough to make her glow.

“Everyone over here. Now!" I yelled as startled gazes turned to look my way.

Let's see who's boss around here!

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