Page 31
“I’ve missed you. How have you been?” the actress asked Athena.
“Doing well. How are you, Lissa?”
Auntie’s tone was a little cooler now than usual. Not outright rude, by any means. Just cooler.
“Good. I guess you heard Damon and I split.”
“Yes.”
“But I guess you know he already has a girlfriend! You seem to know Little Tessa.”
Tessa began chewing on the inside of her cheek.
Oh crap! This was not how I wanted Auntie to find out!
Was Athena going to act shocked at hearing Lissa call her Damon’s girlfriend?
That fear passed when Athena played along. “Yes, I know Tessa. She’s such a darling.”
Tessa smiled but stood there, not really hearing the rest of the conversation. Her mind was reeling and she wondered how all this was going to turn out.
A woman with red hair came by, saying, “Excuse me,” as she scooted past them, tacked something to the wall, and then moved on.
Tessa didn’t know what that was about, but she figured the woman worked there. It didn’t really matter. She couldn’t focus on much at the moment, anyway.
A minute later, Lissa told Athena goodbye and then walked away.
Athena smirked, raised an eyebrow, and said, “You’re Damon’s girlfriend?”
Tessa pulled herself from her swimming thoughts. “Well, eh, not exactly.”
There was a knowing look in Athena’s eyes as she waited for explanation.
In a hushed tone, Tessa told her.
“Honey! Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Athena asked.
“Yes, Ma’am. I just… don’t want you to think less of me. I’m not a dishonest person. I just wanted to help Damon.”
Auntie looked sympathetic as she brushed a strand of Tessa’s hair back and tucked it behind her ear. “Honey, I could never think less of you. But I want to make sure you’re fully on board with this. Did Damon pressure you into anything?”
“Oh, no. Damon is great.”
Athena smiled. “I know he’s great. But I also know he can have a singular mind. When he gets something in his head…” She shrugged.
“It’s all good. I promise.”
Athena appraised her for another moment before saying, “Just promise me you won’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
“I promise.”
Athena nodded, took both of Tessa’s hands, and held them in hers. “And promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Damon is safe.”
“Oh, honey, I know that. He’d never hurt you physically. And he’d never intentionally hurt you emotionally. But… it seems like he wants Lissa.”
Tessa wasn’t sure why the realization stung a little. It wasn’t as if she was falling for Damon. She knew exactly what this was. One friend helping another out. That’s it.
