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

It was all Rafi could do not to leave the room. He forced himself to take a seat instead, at his father’s left hand.


“Weren’t you bringing a friend, Rafi?” Minnie said.


“Boyfriend,” Rafi corrected. They’d been through this already when he was dating Cory; his stepmother would never be so gauche as to openly reject his orientation, but she did her best to minimize and ignore it. He suspected it was more a general disapproval of everything Rafi did than any actual feelings about homosexuality. “Julian’s…been delayed. He’s not sure if he’ll be able to make it after all. He said not to wait on him.” He opened his menu, desperate for something to look at, but his father touched his arm.


“I’m so glad you could make it, son. Carlos was just telling us about, er…” It seemed to occur to Ted belatedly that whatever Carlos had been saying was not something Rafi would want to hear. What, after all, could they talk about? The wedding? The baby? The band?


Chapter 51