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Damon could practically feel the excitement radiating off Tessa as he escorted her into the studio’s fine dining commissary.

The room was large with plenty of alcoves for cozy, private experiences if one desired such. There were also several large banquet rooms off the main space. A lot of Hollywood business had been conducted around there over the years.

But today, a simple lunch was all Damon and Tessa were there for.

“Did you know that Myrna Loy and William Powell used to eat here?” she asked, her words rushed together as she gripped his arm tightly. “In this very room!”

“I did not,” he said. “But it doesn’t surprise me that you do.”

“Am I driving you crazy with all my studio trivia?”

“Not at all. I find it endearing.” He patted her hand. Worrying once again he was going too far, he added, “One of the reasons we’re going to be such good friends. I love Hollywood too. Obviously.”

“Yeah. We’re sort of perfect friends,” she replied.

Damon wasn’t sure if it was real or not, but he thought he detected a hint of uneasiness in her voice.

Maybe today wasn’t such a great idea, after all. Was he leading Tessa on?

Was he leading himself on?

“Good afternoon, Mr. Drake. So good to see you,” a host said. “You want your usual table?”

“Let’s try something new today. How about near the window?”

“Perfect. Right this way.”

Once they were seated and the host left them with menus, Damon glanced around the room. The place wasn’t too busy yet. He waved at a few studio people he knew and one other actor. They were across the room, so he and Tessa had plenty of privacy.

“Oh my gosh, they probably don’t have old silverware. I mean, they would have switched it out in the last seventy years. But how cool would it be if I could use the same fork Myrna Loy did?”

Damon leaned back and smiled at her across the table. “That would be pretty cool. But you’re right—be kind of odd to be using the same silverware here they’ve had for seven decades.”

“One day I’m going to have something that belonged to Myrna Loy. It’s a goal.”

“And I bet you’ll accomplish it. I have a feeling you can do whatever you set your mind to.”

Her eyes sparked as he held her gaze for a moment.

The conversation progressed as they waited for their food and then while they ate lunch. Most of it revolved around Hollywood history and their favorite movies, but Damon asked more about her upcoming career, and her past.

She didn’t seem excited to talk about Pennsylvania, so he didn’t press. But he learned a little bit more about her. He couldn’t help but ask her a few questions.

“So what did you do for fun back home?”

She snorted. “Not much. It was such a small town, there wasn’t much to do. I worked long hours anyway.” Her face lit up as she added, “But I have these friends I would work with. At the senior center. Delivering meals.” Her eyes sparkled. “I miss them. Hey, would you maybe call them sometime? They’d love that!”

Damon was speechless. After a moment, he was able to say, “You volunteered at a senior center?”

“Yeah. Prepped meals and delivered them. No big deal.”

Damon grinned wide. “Tessa, I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

The beautiful woman blushed and averted her eyes to her plate. At that moment, Damon wanted nothing more than to scoop her into his arms and kiss her.

But he resisted, as hard as it was.

More people began to filter in, and by the time they were finishing up, the room was about three-quarters full.