Page 41 of Billionaire's Second Chance

"That was harsh," I scolded her. "Coming from an airhead like yourself."

“I’m sorry, Damon, but honesty is the best medicine. You should try it.” Quinn concluded and slurped loudly on something, making my brain spin with anger.

"That’s not why I called,” I said firmly.

“Of course not," she laughed. "Let me guess. You need an emissary to talk to Lily for you. Some messenger bearing flowers and words you don’t mean.”

"You know me too well," I mumbled.

“No, Damon! I refuse to pick up your slack this time,” Quinn raised her voice which made her cough in my ear. "You've done this too many times. Maybe this will be your last."

My bitter, hungover sister hung up before I could defend myself.

“Damn it, Damon.” I banged the steering wheel.

The horn attracted too many eyes. I didn’t care. I had arrived at the studio, and all I could think about was my face splattered all over the blogs, under the 'me too' label.

I picked up my phone again. I should call Lily.

But a knock on the window startled me, and I tossed my phone to the side.

“Do you have a minute?” Ava's blue eyes greeted me.

“Of course,” I cleared my throat and slicked my hair back as I stepped out of the car.

“It’s about the interview," she began with a shaky voice. "I know how busy your schedule can be, so I thought, maybe Derek and I can handle it alone?"

Derek, huh? Did she have a thing for him already?

“You don’t want me to be a part of it?” I asked, raising a brow.

“It’s just—" she hesitated. "You know what? Never mind.”

I looked at her with curiosity. What was she really trying to tell me?

"I'll be at the interview," I confirmed, searching for a sign of disappointment on her face.

"You seemed lost in your head earlier, in your car," she said instead.

“Lost, how?” I played it off.

“You looked like you needed a friend.” She sighed and smiled, exposing perfect white teeth and two dimples I hadn't noticed before on each side of her lips.

“Could you be a friend, Ava?” I squinted my eyes.

“Come on. Let’s take a walk,” Ava's soft tone calmed my mind, and my feet followed hers.

We walked silently for a while, our hands fumbling with random objects. She held a script while I fiddled with car keys. The warm beams of the now-receding sun kissed our faces as we walked. She broke the silence.

“So?” Ava turned to face me with questioning eyes.

“I’m being sued,” I confessed. "by Lily Rae."

Her face turned ashen, and she slowed down. I had no idea she cared this much about my welfare, but it was heartwarming.

"It's all my fault," she mumbled, more to herself than me.

“Nah. I don't blame you at all. I dragged her into all this mess in the first place," I comforted her.

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