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Damon’s blood was boiling, but he was sure to keep his temper in check. Being rude to her wouldn’t accomplish anything and he’d only regret it later. He truly had no desire to hurt Lissa. But he owed her honesty, at least.

“Lissa, you dropped me for Max and I think it was all about moving up a few rungs on the ladder. I’m a famous actor, sure, but he’s the head of a studio. He decides what gets made, who works, and all that.” Damon shook his head. “Hard to resist. But after yesterday—and me going viral for that little incident at the studio—you’re back here. And I’m willing to bet it has nothing to do with being upset and missing me after seeing me with another woman. It has to do with the fact that I’m trending right now. All publicity is good publicity. Right? That’s PR 101.”

He gave her a moment to soak in his words before he continued.

“And what better way to get some attention than inserting yourself in this drama? A great celebrity love triangle. The gossip sites would eat it up. TMZ is probably clamoring for something like that. How am I doing so far?”

Lissa’s nostrils flared as she appraised him through smoldering eyes. “Well, I guess you have it all figured out, huh?”

Damon’s stance softened as he said, “I have it figured out that we’re wrong for each other, Lissa.” Now he was the one who moved closer. “Hey, we had some good times. But I need… something more.”

She swallowed hard and then nodded slightly before letting her chin fall.

Damon didn’t know if this was real or acting. It was always hard to tell with her.

“So, you’re really into this girl,” she said.

“Tessa?” Damon couldn’t deny the smile that lit up his face. “Yeah. I am.”

It felt good to admit that. He hated hurting Lissa, but she was the one who’d started all this by breaking up with him in the first place.

Looking back, he was sure thankful she had.

“Then I guess this is goodbye,” she said.

“We’ll see each other. Like tonight. At the awards. Though I don’t think I’ll hit up Max’s party. No offense.”

It was a stupid idea to ever plan on going to that thing, anyway.

“Do you mind if I just have a minute?” she asked, her eyes going past him and to the gorgeous view.

“Of course not. Take all the time you need.”

He smiled at her, patted her shoulder in a friendly gesture as he walked by, and then went into the house.

Wow, he thought, as he ducked into his living room. This day was already full of surprises.

And it was just getting started.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lissa had only been slightly worried Damon would remember his phone. But he wasn’t glued to the device the way some people were. It might be an hour before he even realized he’d left it on the table beside his coffee.

Thankfully, he hadn’t changed the screen’s lock code, either.

Still her birthday.

This was going to be too easy.

A moment later, Tessa was blocked, along with Athena and Trevon. She put the phone down but then remembered Caroline. Of course, this little plan of hers could easily fall apart. When his calls didn’t go through, he might check his phone and see they were blocked from his end. Or he might simply drive over there.

But it was going to be a busy, hectic day. This was the biggest night in Hollywood. Lots to do between now and the award ceremony. And there was no way he’d skip the event. Not when he was the odds-on favorite!

Her little plan wasn’t foolproof, but it was better than nothing.

With a little luck, Damon would be hers again soon enough. She decided when he was no longer useful. He was hers to cast aside.

Lissa drove the short distance to Auntie Athena’s West Hollywood Nursery in record time.