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More silence followed.

Finally, he said, “I’ve got to come up with a date for that party. Not to mention the awards.”

She chuckled.

“What?”

Athena sipped her own bourbon. “Or you could decline the invitation.”

“I can’t do that! I’ll probably win. Insiders say it’s mine to lose.”

“Not the Oscars, honey. I’m talking about the party.”

“Oh. I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because she needs to see me… happy. With someone else. Someone that’ll make her jealous.”

Athena groaned.

“Besides, it’s an awards afterparty. It’s a big deal.”

Athena just groaned even louder.

“What?” he probed again.

She patted his hand. “Why don’t you just be honest with her? Tell her how much she means to you and share your concerns about Max. If you can’t build on a foundation of authenticity, then perhaps it’s not a relationship you should be in.”

Damnit. Why did Athena have to be so wise?

But it wouldn’t work.

Right?

“Hey, I’ll tell her the truth,” he said. “After I get her away from Max.” Holding his glass, he swirled his hand, searching for the right words. “Right now she’s all caught up and enamored with him being a studio executive. I need to make her miss me. To want me. You know?”

Athena was about to respond—no doubt gently disagreeing with him and ready to drop more mature wisdom—when the conversation was interrupted by a group of Littles pouring into the kitchen.

Damon nearly fell out of his chair, and it had nothing to do with being a little tipsy.

There, leading the group, smiling and giggling, was one of the prettiest women he’d ever seen.

She was absolutely breathtaking.

And he had definitely never seen her before.

Chapter Four

Tessa couldn’t believe her eyes!

She’d only been in Hollywood for a few hours and there she was, already meeting a movie star!

At first, she thought she was mistaken. There was no way Damon Drake was just sitting in Auntie Athena’s kitchen. But she remembered how Iris and her other friends had told her about some of the famous people they knew. Maybe this was just life around there.

“Aww, there you cuties are,” Athena said, standing. “Have you been showing Little Tessa around?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Iris answered.