Page 81 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“Slow down, Damon,” she pulled away to look around. "Are any of the other guests here?"

“Where’s Greg?” I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“He dropped me off, saying he needed to run a quick errand for you,” Ava informed me, unsuspecting.

A bomb went off in my head. Of everything he could have said, he chose to blurt something that bordered so closely to the truth.

Ava arched her brows and dangled her finger in my face. “I think I know what’s going on here. You did plan a surprise, after all.”

Damn you, Greg.

“What do you mean?” I played dumb.

“Isn’t it obvious?” She walked past me, pointing to the already set dining table. “Exotic dishes just like that night on your yacht. Then you had Greg drop me off with a flimsy excuse. How romantic."

“You may be right, but there is more to it," I said.

“What’s that? Tell me,” she hugged me closer.

“My parents will be joining us,” I declared, watching her face turn cold.

Her hands grew stiff around my neck. Her eyes bulged, then relaxed in a matter of seconds.

“Well, I'm glad I came first then,” she smirked.

“You wish.” Quinn stepped out of the kitchen, startling Ava.

“Oh, hello,” Ava peeled herself from me and fixed her hair.

They both stared at me wide-eyed.

“Oh yes, introductions," I snapped back to reality. "Ava, meet my sister—”

“How boring?” Quinn rolled her eyes. “Hello, Ava. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Quinn hugged her.

“It goes both ways, Quinn” Ava smiled warmly as she retrieved from the hug.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Let's go for a walk.” Quinn pulled Ava along with her.

“Quinn,” I grunted at my sister.

“Save the whining, Damon. You’ll have her to yourself soon enough,” she dismissed me.

Ava blushed crimson and grinned at me over her shoulder, realizing she'd have to follow Quinn's orders.

A knock on the door distracted me.

My parents walked in. In his usual manner, my father appraised my home as soon as he stepped in while my mother hugged me tightly.

“Welcome, Mom. Dad,” I greeted them.

Quinn emerged from the kitchen, Ava not too far behind her. My mother only needed to exchange glances with Quinn to know who she was. My father's lips twisted in a suppressed smile.

“You must be Ava.” Mom swayed past me and forgot to acknowledge Quinn. “Finally!”

The three women ogled and traded compliments while I observed my father. He was yet to say anything. His lips were still twisted in the same austere grin.

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