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

Helen frowned, combing through the items and stacking them in a box Julian handed her. “There’s an envelope missing.”


Helen glanced sideways at Julian. “Just…some old papers. The police are going to be interested to hear it. They wanted to know if anything was missing; I didn’t think we’d be able to tell.”


“Police? Why are the police involved?” Rafi asked, and gave Julian an accusatory look. “I thought it was an electrical short.”


“We’re playing it a bit close to our chests,” Helen said sheepishly. “On the recommendation of the police. We have security footage of a man setting the fire, but right now he doesn’t know that.”


“Helen,” Julian said. “The old papers in the envelope. Were they my father’s?”


Helen’s dropped jaw was enough of an answer.


“My uncle,” Julian’s voice was soft and precise, “was in Los Angeles for the Gunpowderpremiere, the night your house caught fire. He has an airtight alibi.”


Chapter 38