Page 27 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

“You would do that?”

“Of course. I don’t want to steal ideas from you.”

“You’re an exceptional guy, Owen. I’m glad I know you.”

“I’m glad I know you too.”

“I’d thought Hollywood had corrupted you, but somehow you seemed to escape the evil that tarnishes most people who get entrenched in that world. You’re still the same guy who came over to hang out with my brother when we were in high school.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m thesameguy. I’ve changed a lot.”

“How’s that?”

“I’m not as jaded as I used to be.”

“I don’t remember you being jaded back then.”

“That’s because I didn’t show that part of me to very many people.”

And yet he was sharing it with Alexis now. “Why were you jaded?”

“I was angry with the way my father treated my mom and me. If I’m honest, I’m still angry with him.”

“Why?”

“I suffered a lot of unnecessary trauma because he didn’t want to stick around.”

“Because your mom had to work so much?”

“That and I didn’t have a father figure in my life. It was hard to grow up that way.”

“It could have been worse. He could have stuck around and abused your mom and you.”

“That’s true. I guess he might have been doing us a favor. I hadn’t thought of it that way before.”

“Sometimes, the best thing a man can do is leave.”

“Too bad he didn’t feel like paying child support.”

“I bet that would have been nice.” Alexis smiled at Owen, and he took her hand.

“Thanks for listening. It means a lot to me.”

For the first time in years, Alexis saw Owen as someone more than just a celebrity. He was just Owen. His heart beat the same as any other person’s. And she wanted it to beat for her.

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