Chapter 20

When the end credits rolled, Rafi joined in with the audience’s wild applause, feeling like he’d been through a wringer.

“You liked it,” Julian said, the words not quite a question as the lights came back on. He was still watching Rafi’s face carefully.

“Are you kidding? You’re going to win an Oscar for this. The movie was fantastic, and you—you were mesmerizing.”

Julian smiled, a tiny flicker of a thing that seemed to be as much surprise as happiness, brightening his face for a single moment before vanishing again.

“Well, Julian,” said Uncle Eddie, leaning past Rafi as if he weren’t there, “perhaps this film will not be the blow to your reputation we had feared. Though of course it’s hard to predict public reaction. There are several key moments I’d love to discuss with you—the two of you are coming to the after party, I hope?”

The smile Julian gave his uncle looked nothing at all like the one Rafi had glimpsed so briefly. “Of course, Uncle.”