Page 58 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“—I realized that I wasn't really in love with him. Hell, I don't even know him,” she continued. "It was the dream of him—the big-shot Hollywood producer who fell for me—the small-town damsel in distress."

Sounds just like me.

My guard lowered. I returned to my seat.

"You're a beautiful, talented actress, Lily," I assured her. "You don't need a big producer to save you."

Her eyes darted left and right, searching for the right words. "Maybe you can save me?"

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Me? How can I—"

"I'm called for an audition next week," she cut me off. "What if you helped me practice? I need this, Ava. I wouldn't have come here if I wasn't desperate."

"Lily, I—" I stuttered, my mind racing for a way out of this. "I don't have the skills for that. You need a talent coach. I can ask Greg about—"

She jumped up to frantically pace my living room. "Bullshit! Those coaches are useless. I need someone with raw talent like you. Someone who actually wins roles based on their merit."

"Even if I agreed," I muttered. "I don't have that kind of time right now."

"Just an hour a day," she pleaded. "If I can do this in front of you, I can do this in front of even the toughest jury."

She did have a point. I knew I wouldn't have the courage to act in front of the person who made a joke out of me. Or did I? Wasn't I doing the same every day on set, in front of Damon?

“I understand," she frowned, taking my long silence as a no. "You don’t owe me anything, so it’s fine if you don’t want to help.”

Her whole career was in shambles because I had acted impulsively. I did owe her something, and she knew it too.

“Ever heard of The Dome?” I blurted.

“That old theater in Little Tokyo?” Her eyes lit up.

"Yeah," I nodded, hesitation still hovering over my face. "Give me a few minutes to change. We can rehearse there. You're lucky it's my only day off this week."

A smile exposed her white teeth as she looked at me. Then she bounced over and hugged me briefly. “Thank you so much, Ava.”

What’s wrong with you, Ava? What if she finds out about you and Damon? What if Damon finds out about you and Lily amidst their lawsuit?

Keeping her close could get me in trouble. Sending her away, while logical, didn't feel right.

I stepped into a pair of black leggings and slid on an oversized old t-shirt. On the way out of my bedroom, my stomach grumbled. It was hunger this time.

"I need to make one stop and then grab a bite to eat before heading to The Dome if you don't mind," I informed Lily, who was already clutching her purse near the door.

"I understand. I shouldn't have bothered you this early," her voice lowered as she looked at her feet.

"Don't worry about it," I placed my hand on her back and opened the door.

With that, we jumped in my car. The most awkward duo headed out for a day on the town.

***

While Lily chatted about nothing and everything, my mind drowned in thoughts of Damon, our nights together, and the location I was heading to. The car slowed down, I parallel-parked, reached for my door, and turned to Lily.

"Do you mind waiting here, in case someone comes? I'll only be a minute, no need to pay for parking."

I didn't wait for a response before I slammed the door shut. I walked into the pharmacy, my eyes roaming the isles, hoping to evade curious gazes. I lowered my head, letting my hair cover my face, and sped up toward the shelves with feminine products. Once I found what I was looking for, I looked around me, and when I confirmed I was alone, I swiped the product in my purse. I hurried to the self-checkout desk, scanned it quickly, then returned it to back to safety in my purse and paid.

I returned to the car with my legs shaking and a pregnancy test nestled in my purse.

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