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

“We could hang out at your place for a while,” Amber said, after long minutes of silence in the car.


“Thanks,” Rafi sighed, “but I think I’d like to wallow in depressed solitude for a while.”


“Far be it from me to interfere in your coping mechanisms,” Amber said dryly.


When Rafi stopped outside Amber’s place—a tidy townhouse in Chelsea—she stopped to put a hand on his arm before she hopped out of the car.


“It’ll get better. I swear, okay? I’ve been there, you know I have. It’ll get better.”


And he did know, just like he knew outer space existed. He knew that somewhere out there were millions of stars, some even brighter than Earth’s sun, but he couldn’t see them. He couldn’t see a single one of them from where he stood now.


Chapter 31