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Chase lowered the camera and squinted at her “Wait a second Du Teae”

“Holy shit, Ava DRT isseason last year with that second place showing in Darlington—”

Ava held up her hand “No offense, but youChinese I don’t follow NASCAR Haven’t ”

“Ever?”

“Ever”

Chase didn’t say anything, but obviously he wanted to

“What?”

“How is it you know all about your mother’s position as CEO of Cooper Hotels, but you don’t have any interest in your father’s business? Especially since he built it fro-up years than your mom”

That jarred her She’d never thought of it that way Her dad used to ask her to co?

Why hadn’t you noticed?

Chase’s deep voice startled her out of guilty thoughts “So your brother chose the hotel business over the racing business?”

“Axel is involved with DRT, mostly from the Cooper Tires side He attends all the events with Dad” Again, it struck Ava, how much she’d cut herself off from her family in recent years since she’d “made it” as an actress Was that why Axel acted so curt with her? Because she blew hiotten so selfish? So stingy? Unwilling to share any of her free time with her family?

She knew Chase had taken a rash of crap about his emotional and physical distance from his family She’d felt sorry for hi the same way

“Ava?”

“Sorry Spaced there for a second I’s My housekeeping service keeps s to the laundry once a week Then clean clothes are miraculously returned to their proper places I don’t have to do anything So that makes me as useless as teats on a bull, doesn’t it?”

Chase smiled “Nice barnyard reference, Hollywood”

“If the horseshoe fits… Anyway It’s e to admit I’m so helpless”

“Shouldn’t be You lead a different life thanYou have what ize for it”

Hoas it this man knew exactly what to say? Not in a suck-up way, but with total sincerity?