Page 39 of A Summer of Stars

I tried my best to avoid the tennis industry’s opinion altogether.

I pulled the next gown on, a sapphire blue silk dress that wrapped around my neck in a halter formation, exposing my back.

“For this one, hair up,” Gabriel said, pulling my hair into amakeshift ponytail, looking at my reflection in the mirror. “Show off those cheekbones.”

I turned my head, watching how the blue of the dress hit the light, shining on my face.

“I think he’ll like this one,” Gabriel said.

“Hm?” I questioned, leaning into the mirror, and slipping teardrop earrings that Kelsey handed me into my ears.

“You think I don’t read the news? I may look old to you, but I do have access to the internet. I know why you’re going to these premieres.” He gave me a pointed look, waving his finger. “I’m not going to pick your brain, don’t worry, that look of horror is enough evidence. My point is that he’s going to be stunned when he sees you.”

I shook my head. The idea of Kieran being “stunned” by me gave me a sick stomach. That was like picturing the kid in my eighth grade science class dropping gum in my hair and then asking me out.

“Gabriel, can we take a quick break? I just want to get a few things packed,” Cecilia asked.

He nodded, and I followed her down the hall into my bedroom, finding Amir and Serena there already. (All hands on deck when it came to our trips.) I took a seat in the chair by my window as Serena reviewed the bullet points in her planner with me.

“Your flight will arrive at elevenA.M.British Summer Time—sixA.M.our time—tomorrow,” she confirmed. “We won’t leave until ten tonight for the airport.” I nodded. “You’ll have press the day we arrive and then a film premiere of Mr. Alexander’s the day after.”

“Wonderful,” I said, full of dread.

Amir held up two books, raising them in the air like a gameshow host. I wrinkled my nose, pointing to the one behind him on my nightstand.

I picked up a pile of shirts off the floor and began folding them, one by one, dropping them into the suitcase.

“I’m not packing your black sneakers because of the white-attire policy,” Cecilia reminded me, holding the white sneakers up.

“What time did you want to do dinner tonight?” I asked. Dinner was on me. One last team meal before we were across the Atlantic for two months.

The three of them froze.

“What? Are we not doing dinner anymore?”

“Dinner’s still on,” Serena clarified. “It’s more about the guest list… Kieran’s team requested that we have one last meeting to confirm logistical details, so they’re coming tonight.”

“Luna Aldridge Seen Leaving Heathrow, Shortly After Kieran Alexander”

—Pop Culture Crush

EVERYONE BUT AMIR,who was prepping meals for the flight beside me, went home to get their own luggage since we’d all be leaving straight from Scarsdale for JFK. They’d be back at six for dinner. So I was cooking. For them and for Kieran.

Every time that brief fact reentered my focus, the knife in my hand slipped.

“Luna,” Amir tsked. “Let me do it.” He tried to intervene.

I scooted farther down the island, taking my thyme with me. “I’m fine. Everyone’s going to be here in an hour, and you have your own meals to make.”

“I can easily finish them later—”

“You will not be cooking while we eat.” I pointed at him. “No working.”

“If that knife slips one more time, I’m taking over.”

I ignored him, continuing my chopping.

A knock at the front door ran through the house. Cecilia.