Page 27 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“You can call me Greg,” he said. “I didn’t expect any less from a place like this.”

I snapped my fingers. “Champagne, please.”

The attending waiter came to my side with a bottle of champagne.

“What’s the celebration?” Greg raised his brows.

The waiter poured three glasses of champagne, and I raised my glass toward Ava and her manager.

“Let’s toast,” I said. “Here's to remaining our true selves in Hollywood.”

“Let's see how long that lasts,” Greg tipped his glass and laughed.

Ava smiled nervously and also raised her glass, taking a tiny sip. She had barely touched her food, and her eyes played a game she could not win. She stared at me when it seemed I wasn’t looking, only to look away when I looked up.

She must have remembered.

I wondered if that had anything to do with the decision to decline the role. Her eyes met mine again, then shifted to her plate.

“We could send it back if it’s undercooked,” I said, looking at the lamb on her plate.

“No, it’s actually good. I’m just a slow eater,” she said.

“It's true, she is the slowest eater I know,” Greg chimed in, trying to convince me there wasn't something else on her mind.

"Funny story," I changed the subject. "You know who brought me to this restaurant first?"

Ava and Greg looked up, waiting for me to continue.

"Dan Schuster asked to meet me here once," I elaborated.

“The 'Gun Game' star, Dan Schuster?” Greg raised a brow.

“The same one. We became good friends ever since my visit to Columbia University a few years ago.”

Ava’s fork clattered against the plate, and our eyes locked.

“It’s surprising how much talent they have there," I continued and watched Ava squirm in her seat, reaching for a glass of water.

“Yeah, no doubt.” Greg swallowed. “It’s no surprise Ava graduated from there.”

Gotcha.

She choked. I reached for the glass of water, but Greg was faster. He had flown to his feet and patted her back.

“I’m so sorry about that,” I said once she felt better.

“Water went down the wrong pipe. It’s not your fault," she brushed me off.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt a Hollywood treasure, would I?”

She sipped more water. "I'm just getting started, not at the treasure level yet."

“If you think of it, Rose would be a perfect launch pad for your career.”

Greg wiped his lips and sat up in his seat.

“So, be honest with me, Ava. Why did you audition for the role if you didn't want to play it in the first place?” I crossed my arms in anticipation of an answer that made sense.

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