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

“This is such a shame, ma’am,” Rafi said, eyes scanning the devastation. A few yards away, Helen’s son was wiping his eyes, holding the charred remains of some item he clearly recognized. “What can I do to help?”


“There’s only a few things we’re specifically trying to retrieve today,” Helen said. “A safe from my office, if we can find it, since that part of the house collapsed. Gene’s computer hard drive—it has a lot of photos. My grandmother’s family silver. And Brittany’s toy horses. Anything of Brittany’s that we can salvage.”


Rafi looked around for Julian, and found him putting on a dust mask and helping Brittany do the same. They were both pointing and gesturing toward one area of the house, probably discussing the location of her room.


“Here, put this on,” Helen was saying, handing Rafi a dust mask of his own. “The silver would be in the kitchen, right through here. Watch your head.”


Chapter 36