Page 17 of Shine For Me

I roll my eyes. “Jasmine is nowhere near us, dude, she can’t hear you.”

“I bet if Jasmine was here she’d back me up about the heart eyes. We all saw it.”

“You’re all looking for things to see because your lives are lame and boring.” He opens his mouth to argue but I don’t let him. “June doesn’t like me like that. She’sengaged.”

“I’ve never seen her look at the fiancé the way she looks at you.”

Because he’s a fucking asshole who doesn’t deserve her,I think to myself. But I don’t say it—that would just give my brother more fuel for his stupid theory.

“Even if she does like me—which she most definitely doesnot—it wouldn’t matter. You know my rule.”

“Rules are meant to be broken, little brother.”

Not this one. “I don’t date actresses. Iwon’tdate actresses. Not ever again.”

“Just because one girl was using you—”

“And you don’t think that shit happens all the time?” I shoot back. “What happened between me and Gina was hardly unique.”

Gina Rutledge was an established television actress I dated right after my first film came out. I’ll be the first to admit I was stupid. She was gorgeous and glamorous, already successful in the business. Dating her for those few short months had felt like a dream life—fancy restaurants, swanky parties filled with glittering famous people. I was completely caught up in the stardust of her lifestyle.

And, like a stupid idiot, I equated that with having real feelings for her. Gina was funny and confident and sophisticated. I wanted nothing more than to get sucked up into her orbit, to get as close as possible to this perfect dream woman.

And then I found out she was auditioning for a role in the action movie I had just been cast in. According to my agent—who somehow seems to know everything about every person in this industry—Gina had been trying to make the jump from TV to film for a quite a while. When she didn’t get the part, she dropped me like a bad habit. A week later I saw pictures of her on the gossip blogs with the director of a stupid thriller—a thriller she had just been cast in.

Apparently, he was her back-up plan when her efforts with me didn’t garner the results she hoped for.

It didn’t take me too long to realize that my feelings for her were infatuation, rather than love. But damn if that shit didn’t sting. It was the first time in my life I ever experienced being used, and I sure as hell learned my lesson.

“No actresses,” I repeat.

“But don’t you think it would be different with June?” my annoying brother presses. “You’re already friends.”

“No. Actresses.”

“It’s a good rule,” a bright voice says behind me, and I spin to see June standing there. She’s smiling brightly, an amused twinkle in her eye, but I can’t help feeling like there’s a layer of tension underneath all that sparkle. It’s similar to the way she looks when we’re on a red carpet together.

Is June performing right now?

“Actresses are nothing but trouble,” she continues, giving my brother a wink. “Total drama queens, every last one of them.”

There are two little circles of red high on River’s cheeks. “I don’t know, June,” he says, trying to sound like he’s not embarrassed at being overheard talking about her. “You don’t seem like a drama queen.”

She laughs. “I’m the worst of them all. Besides.” She leans in close and lowers her voice, like she’s about to impart some great secret. “Your brother owns more hair and skincare products than anyone I know. Can you imagine him trying to cohabitate with an actress? Their bathroom would be overflowing with lotions and serums. Eventually it would spill over and fill the entire house. They’d both be crushed under the weight.”

River laughs at that—nothing more amusing to him than someone making fun of me. He gives June an approving nod. “Well I say he’s missing out—anyone would be lucky to have you, June Cain.”

There’s a sincerity to his voice that surprises me. River has never made any secret of the fact that he thinks the entire Hollywood scene is ridiculous and filled with stuck-up assholes. But he’s looking at June like he really thinks she would be a prize for any man.

Even more shocking is the way that look makes me feel. Something hot and unpleasant rises in my chest. There’s no way that’s jealousy…right? Why in the hell would I be jealous about my brother paying my friend a compliment?

I shake my head, trying to clear it. I don’t know what my problem is today, but I’ve felt weird ever since we walked into the yard.

But knowing that doesn’t stop me from turning to my brother. “Are you really going to let your wife wrangle two children by herself in the food line?”

He looks over to see Jasmine helping Poppy to fill a plate at the caterer’s table, a sleeping Harrison in her arms. He curses immediately, then rushes over to her without saying goodbye. “Why didn’t you come get me?” I hear him chiding her.

I turn back to June. “Have you eaten yet?” The catering table has been filled with appetizers since the party started but they recently brought out the main courses—some kind of Mexican spread that smells amazing.