Page 66 of Billionaire's Second Chance

Derek clapped vigorously.

And Damon—he looked at me from under his brows, slicking his thick hair back. His eyes sparkled with pride. His lips curled into a subtle smile.

"Great job, Ava." He confirmed and walked away, leaving me aching for more. More of his approval. More of him.

***

When I returned home and cuddled Rocky, I finally exhaled and returned to myself. I had spent every second of the day pretending to be someone else. Someone who didn't care about their world crumbling to pieces. Someone who wasn't about to have a baby with a man who might not even want it.

This make-believe world waited for me outside, behind the closed door of my apartment. But now, it was just me, alone and confused.

"Rocky boy," I pressed my cheeks into the puppy's soft coat. "What are we going to do?"

He looked at me with his deep, honest, blue eyes and gifted me with tiny licks, each one washing away any remnants of the day's stress.

Rocky and I rolled around the living room floor until my phone fell out of my shorts. I glanced at it, and Lily's name appeared at the top of the 'missed calls' log.

My finger hesitated over the dial pad. And then I pressed it.

"Hi, Lily, what's up?" I greeted her after waiting for over ten rings.

Her slow, steady breathing dragged on after her icy tone. My fingers fumbled around the phone.

“Hello, Lily.”

“What do you want, Ava?" She finally responded, her tone bitter and annoyed. "More threats from your boyfriend?”

“Boyfriend? What are you talking about?” I jumped up to pace the floor.

Damon must have called her. He probably warned her to stay away from me since he couldn’t get me to stay away from her.

“Honestly, I do not give a damn about whatever is going on between you two, but you always seem to find a way to make it my business.”

“What did he say to you, Lily?”

“Now you know which boyfriend I am referring to?” She laughed.

"Lily, you called me," my voice lowered. "I was simply returning your call. Believe me, I don't want this drama any more than you do."

“Are you dating Damon?” she blurted.

Dating him was an understatement. I was carrying his child.

"Lily, screw Damon! I thought we were working on us?" I reasoned with her.

“Why is he so protective of you?" Lily continued her rant. "Why did he have the nerve to call me and order me to stop seeing you? In the middle of our lawsuit!”

My heart thumped faster.

"He shouldn't have done that," I assured her. "But he did the same to me. He forbid me from seeing you, and I blew up at him. He's just paranoid. That's all."

“You know what?" Lily hesitated. "I don’t even care anymore. Whatever is going on between you two, keep it the hell away from me.”

The line went dead.

Is anyone left in the world who I didn't piss off today?

20

---