Page 29 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“No. Yes—” she began, her eyes gazing through me. "That would make things uncomfortable. But it's not why I can't accept your offer."

“How about we talk things through? Alone.” I insisted.

“That won’t be—”

“I’ll send my driver to pick you up once you get home. It’ll be just us.” I refused to accept her rejection.

I watched her lips part. And then they closed shut at the sight of Greg taking his seat.

“Hope I didn’t miss so much,” he said.

“Trust me. You didn’t miss anything," I assured him and glanced at Ava.

She stood to her feet and hinted at Greg with her eyes that he should also get up.

“Aren’t you going to finish your dinner?” I looked at her, confused.

"I'm full," she replied.

“Okay, see you soon,” I muttered in her ear as I hugged her goodbye.

“Bye, Damon,” she pulled away.

"Thank you for dinner, Damon. I'll be in touch." Greg nodded politely and walked behind her.

The restaurant lost its charm as soon as she stepped out.

“Care for anything else, Sir? Champagne? More wine?”

Champagne? There was nothing worth celebrating just yet.

“What’s your name?” I asked the waitress.

“Pamela,”

“Just get me something strong, Pamela.”

She returned with a scotch glass. I gulped its contents and made for the door a few seconds later, my heart beating with just one question. Would she show up?

9

Ava

“Yousureyou’llthinkabout it?” Greg nudged me in the limo ride to my house.

I stared outside the window, taking in the chaotic melody from the LA nightlife, with the occasional scream of car horns hitting high notes, calling for an encore. The wind that now slapped against my face reminded me of my folly.

You should’ve stayed home.

“I’ll give it another thought, Greg," I promised reluctantly.

Being around Damon brought flashes of a past I wasn’t proud of. As a wide-eyed student looking for validation, I had fallen into his arms so quickly.

My throat tightened at the thought of meeting him alone. I sucked in a lungful of air.

The limo slowed down, startling me from my thoughts. Time worked differently when I was around Damon. A second would last an eternity while he hugged me, then speed up the moment he let go.

“That was fast,” I said.

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