The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 394

Chapter 176: Can We Please Talk?-3

+25 Points

“The pleasure is mine. It’s wonderful to finally put a face to the name.” She glanced at Dahlia. “You were right-she looks exactly like Malia.”

Maya blushed. “You knew my mom?”

Dahlia answered smoothly. “Alice was one of your mother’s closest friends. We all met in college-before Alice moved to Japan.”

Alice’s smile softened. “Your mom was even supposed to be one of my bridesmaids. But by the time the wedding came around…” She laughed lightly. “She’d already eloped with your father. I still kept her name on the invitation, though.”

She shot Dahlia a mischievous glance-one that carried unspoken memories. Dahlia chuckled in response.

Dominic noticed immediately.

“I knew it,” he said, pointing between them. “That look-you two definitely got into trouble at the bachelorette party, didn’t you?”

Both women rolled their eyes in unison.

Eleanor’s voice drifted gently through the room.

“Come now. You must be tired. Have some tea-supper will be served shortly.”

They returned to the seating area, Maya and Dahlia offering greetings as they took their places.

Even as Maya settled in, she could still feel it.

Damien’s gaze.

Hard. Deep. Burning.

Then Dahlia spoke, her tone casual, almost offhand.

“Damien, where’s Nicholas? I thought he’d be joining us tonight.”

Damien didn’t look away from Maya as he answered, his voice steady.

“He’s running a little late. He’ll be here soon.”

Jaime leaned forward in his seat, eyes bright as he looked at Maya.

ander 176 air We Ple ise Talk? 3

“So, May,” he asked eagerly, “how was your day? Did you learn how to shoot?”

+25 Pucts

Maya smiled, the nerves easing just a little, and nodded. “I did. And I used Mom’s pistol too.”

Jaime’s eyes went wide.

“What? Mom’s gun? But how?”

“Aunt Dahlia gave it to me,” Maya said simply.

Jaime nearly bounced out of his chair.

“That’s amazing, May!” He leaned closer, words tumbling over each other. “What was it like?

teach Were you scared? Did you hit the target? Oh-can I borrow it sometime? And can you me too? Please?”

His excitement was infectious, cutting cleanly through the earlier tension. Laughter flickered around, the atmosphere lifting, lighter-easier.

Maya laughed, about to answer, when Alfred appeared at the doorway.

“Pardon the interruption,” he said politely. “Dinner is served.”

Eleanor inclined her head. “Thank you, Alfred.”

Chairs shifted as everyone rose. Eleanor and Charles led the way toward the dining hall, their steps unhurried. Alice and Dahlia followed closely behind, already deep in conversation. Dominic caught up with Jaime, draping an arm around his shoulders as he launched into a story about Julian-and a spectacularly failed programming project from his college days.

Maya walked just behind them, listening, smiling faintly.

Damien was the last to stand.

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