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Of course, she left out the part about him being on his way to pick her up so they could do something together. And she sure didn’t tell them she was his date to the Oscars. It wasn’t like it was real. Why tell them when she was just a “fake” plus-one?

Too hard to explain that it was all just part of a plan to make another woman jealous. Didn’t amount to much. So, why even bring it up? That would only egg them on more.

So, she changed the subject to something she’d been dying to know.

“Is everyone eating good? Did Mr. Hastings get his banana pudding?”

“He got some extra servings to store in his fridge,” Ms. Craig replied. “And everyone is eating fine, dear. Don’t worry about us old people. Go have fun!”

“And tell California I’m coming!” Mr. Banks hollered. “Those bikini girls better get ready. They’ve never seen a man like me. All of them other fellas gonna get real jealous when I hang out my shingle that says I’m open for business.”

The group laughed and so did Tessa, but hers came more from the mental image of the bunch all gathered around the phone, happy to hear from her.

She missed them.

The chiming of the doorbell told her Damon had arrived.

“All right. I better go. It was great talking to you all. I miss you. I’ll be back for a visit soon.”

She hoped that was true. While not wanting to be morbid, she knew odds were slim she’d see them all again. It had cost every last cent she had just getting to California! Traveling all the way back to Pennsylvania for a quick trip was out of the question. But maybe once she got working and had steady paychecks coming in, and she was back on her feet, she’d make it work somehow.

After saying goodbye again, she ended the call and walked downstairs to find Damon in the entryway, chatting with Trevon.

His entire face lit up as he noticed her descending the staircase.

Was that real or part of his amazing acting skills?

“Well, I’ll let you two get to it,” Trevon said, a smirk on his face leading Tessa to ponder what he was thinking.

As he walked away, she came all the way off the stairs and said, “Hey,” trying to sound as casual as possible.

“Good morning,” Damon responded.

“So, how should I dress today? Little clothes? Big girl clothes? Or start Big and then move Little whenever we get where we’re going?” She took a breath but kept talking, not waiting for an answer. “And what’s the backstory? Does Lissa know we’re coming? Or is this another accidental encounter?”

Damon grinned. “Backstory? You’ve been hanging around actors. We’re already rubbing off on you.”

Tessa spread her hands. “I’m just trying to sell it.”

“And I appreciate that. But today there isn’t anything to sell. I thought maybe we could just go out for a day on the town. I’ll show you around, take you to some quintessential L.A. spots.”

“Oh.”

Tessa wasn’t sure if the silence that followed seemed as awkward to Damon as it did to her. But she wasn’t quite sure what to say.

She was pretty certain that jumping up and down and squealing in excited near-hysterics probably wasn’t the best way to respond.

“That sounds great.”

As excited as Tessa was, fear was starting to grow inside her, creeping up like moss slowly taking over the side of an old building.

Today promised to be amazing. But what if it only intensified her budding feelings for Damon?

Was it worth it? Could she have this once-in-a-lifetime experience only to watch him go back to Lissa?

She would find out one way or another. Because there was no way she was going to say no to today.

For better or worse, she was in this.