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After spending over a decade in the industry, it’s shocking that this would be the first time we work together. All this time, I’ve followed her career, watched her films, and learned about all her achievements. I avoided every show she was at and skipped every film audition where she had a role.

And now this…

Does she know who I am? As far as I know, she is living well. She never tried to find the son she abandoned all those many years ago. Instead, she made public donations to kids’ foundations and acted like she was in love with kids. Liar. What a selfish woman.

Does she know Jack Calloway is her son? The resemblance is surely there; it’s one of the things I curse the most about my appearance.

I hear movement behind me and turn to see Brody coming into the backyard. I’m alarmed because I know if he comes in, he’ll see the painting and immediately know it’s Mia.

“Stay where you are,” I order, and he freezes.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. Why?” I shrug.

“Nova said to come check on you.”

“She’s such a snitch.” I roll my eyes and stretch my limbs to appear casual. “I’m good. You should go. I’m busy with my painting.”

He sighs and turns to the door, knowing I don’t like to be bothered when I’m painting.

“Jack.” He nods at me. “If you ask me, I think this is a great opportunity for you. You need to sit down with her and offload some of this baggage you’re carrying. Let her have some of it, too. None of this is your fault.”

His words hit me square in the chest. “Well, fortunately, I didn’t ask you. Get out of here,” I groan and wave him off. Laughing, he heads out.

He’s barely out when my phone rings again. I hope it’s not Nova because I swear I don’t want to discuss Megan with anyone else today. It’s an unknown caller, and since it’s my business line, I take it. It could be Fitzgerald or someone on the team trying to share information with me.

“Hi.”

A bubbly, feminine voice answers on the other end of the line. “Hi, Mr. Calloway. My name is Vera Samuels. I’m Megan Hart’s manager.”

I stand so straight, you’d think she just said Megan Hart is about to walk into the room.

“Oh, hi. How’re you?”

“I’m fine, thank you very much,” she says. “So, um, Megan would like to meet with you, if you’re available. She loves to meet with her co-leads so that they can break the ice before they get on set.”

I refuse. I know I’ll refuse. I open my mouth to refuse, but something else comes out. “Uh, sure. When?”

“We were thinking dinner sometime this week. Friday, if you’re free. Megan would really appreciate the chance to talk,” Vera adds, her voice sounding more sincere than I expected.

“All right,” I respond, my mind racing. “I’ll make time. Let me know when and where.”

There’s a brief pause before she responds. “Somewhere in L.A. I’ll have my assistant send over the details. Is that okay?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks, Jack,” Vera says before hanging up.

I sit there, phone still in hand, as everything comes crashing down on me. Megan. My father. The past.

I need someone to talk to, and before I know it, I’m dialing Harry, hoping he picks up before I lose my mind. I’ve just agreed to a casual date with Megan Hart, am I serious?

“Jack, what’s up?” Harry takes the call.

“My mom wants to see me.”

He pauses and then curses under his breath. “What?”