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 caught the eye of the returning waiter and whispered, “I’d like a to-go box.”


Oh, good, we’re leaving, Julian thought. He wouldn’t have to swallow any more of that wretched drink. Julian was proud of how well he was holding together so far, his speech still perfectly clear, but—


His legs buckled as he tried to rise from his seat.


“Whoa!” Rafi caught him by the arm, jostling the takeout box in Julian’s hand, but between the two of them they got him back onto his feet. “You okay?”


“I’m very well, thank you,” Julian said primly, and tried to make Rafi’s face come into focus.


“Uh-huh,” Rafi said. “I don’t know how you got here, but how about I take you home.” As quickly as possible, said the way he kept glancing across the table, where the rest of the family was mostly occupied cleaning up and taking care of Bo.


“If you like.” Julian waved a hand, airily granting Rafi the favor of his company; the gesture threatened to unbalance him again.


Chapter 56