Rafi Reyes figures going along with a fake-dating stunt is only fair after Julian Gault saves his life. The young actor is famously cold and snotty, and Rafi's rock band is falling apart in the wake of betrayal. A shiny new romance might be just what both their reputations need. It's too bad they don't actually like each other, but they'll both benefit -- a softer public image for Julian, revenge against his ex for Rafi.<br><br>But as they navigate public events, attend red-carpet premieres, and play cat-and-mouse with paparazzi together, Rafi gets to know a different Julian than he expected -- one who defends horses, takes care of his troubled cousin, and has Rafi's back against his dysfunctional family. Rafi starts to hope he and Julian have something real together.<br><br>But Julian has secrets more painful than Rafi can imagine. With Julian's powerful and controlling uncle scheming to turn them against each other, their relationship must become something much deeper if it -- and possibly either of them -- are to survive.

Star Bright

Then, behind them, a flurry of activity. Rafi glanced back to see Uncle Eddie stepping out of a limousine. It was time and past to get Julian out of here. He took his alleged boyfriend’s elbow in a grip of iron and steered him into the safety of the theatre before anything else could go wrong.


They found their seats, and Rafi, at least, took a moment to examine the gifts left there—Founding Fathers bobbleheads and a tote bag with Washington crossing the Delaware. Julian gave them barely a glance, but Rafi thought he could be forgiven for being too shaken to appreciate movie swag.


“What happened with the horse?” Rafi leaned down to murmur, but Julian waved him off with a curt, “Later.”


Chapter 19