Page 55 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“Of course,” I confirmed, adjusting in my seat. “These venison looks delicious.”

Mom smiled at me, then her eyes found Dad’s. “I had to make sure they were. They’re the inner-ribcage tenderloins that melt in your mouth with every bite,” she said. “Your father loves them.”

Dad bottled his grin. He would have made a fine actor if he ever considered it. “How’s the movie going?”

“We're in week three of production,” I explained. “So far, it's pretty smooth sailing. Having a great cast really does pay off. And Sandy keeps everyone on their toes.”

He laughed. “Sandy has a big head, but he hasn't always been rude and unfeeling, you know. I remember when we were shooting the final scene of The Last Harbinger—”

Quinn rolled her eyes.

“Sandy stopped the entire production," my father continued, "to give a twenty-minute speech serenading everyone that had worked on the set. The entire production team was stunned. Only a select few got to see that side of him. We won an Oscar for that movie,” my father reminisced, a crooked smile forming on his face.

I chewed patiently. He didn’t need to include that detail. I remembered every award my father, and all his movies, had received. Every director who worked with him had gone on to win awards in the industry.

I bit further into the venison. Quinn sipped wine and bored holes through my face with her eyes. I avoided them.

"What about that PR mess you got yourself into?" My father's gaze locked in with mine as I fought to swallow a piece of meat.

"It's mostly good news," I put the fork down. "Lily Rae has agreed to settle it out of court and remain silent."

"I won't ask how much," Francis smirked. "Let me know when it's all done so I can sleep better."

"Will do," I mumbled and continued eating in silence.

My eyes drifted from the food toward an empty seat on the table.

I should have brought her along.

No. I should have stayed home with her. No one had seen me go in. Spending the night at her place would have been possible. All I had to do was leave carefully in the morning.

My cock throbbed.

“You know you’re staring into space, right?” Quinn said.

I snapped out of my daydream.

“There’s a girl, isn't there?” Her brows gathered.

“And if I say there isn’t?” I replied.

“I’d say you’re lying. You had googly eyes a second ago,” she mocked me.

“As if you'd know how googly eyes look on me,” I bickered.

My father observed us from his seat, fork down, fingers clutching his wine glass.

“I’m sure your brother would tell us if there was someone special," Mom chimed in. “He knows he can always share with us.”

My mother had too much hope for me. It had been years since I'd brought anyone home. Her name was Elena—the only non-actress I had ever been serious about. And she made sure to stomp all over my heart and leave me for someone 'with more substance.' I got over her pretty fast, but the pain of disappointing my mother still lingered.

"There's someone who I'm interested in, yes," I confessed, shooting my most serious gaze at my mother. "Nothing serious yet, Mom."

“See.” Quinn dropped her cutlery. “I knew there was!”

“What’s her name, Damon?” Mom's face beamed with joy, even though I had warned her not to be too hopeful yet. There was no denying that she could see right through my eyes.

“Ava,” I said firmly.

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