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

Rafi tried to catch Julian’s eye, holding up the coffee, but Julian didn’t look his way; the director had come over to speak to him and the kids briefly. Before Rafi knew it, they were filming again.


A couple of extras crept up to Rafi and asked for autographs, which he granted with as much panache as he could while keeping one eye on Julian. The scene seemed to involve Julian’s character shouting and pleading with some many-headed monster. You would never have thought, from his performance, that he was acting against a variety of sticks and green balls; emotion radiated from him in near-visible waves. Rafi moved around the edge of the set, trying to get a better view through the flock of cameras circling Julian at various distances.


Chapter 40