Page 71 of A Summer of Stars

I opened my mouth to offer an empty apology, but another incoming call cut me off. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, I’m getting another call.” He simply grunted and hung up.

“Hey, Nari.”

“This wasn’t part of the plan!” Nari shouted over the phone, her voice ringing in my ear.

“Jesus, you’re starting to sound like my father.” I rubbed my temple as Franny gave me a weird look.

“You’re not supposed to be at today’s match,” she protested.

“Oh,that,” I said, staring at the court.

“Yes,that. What were you thinking?”

“Do you think this will look believable if one of the most famous actors—who happens to be in London right now—doesn’t attend Wimbledon?”

A pause, then, “This wasn’t discussed with her team. I’m going to kill you.”

“Get in line. My father is up first.”

“Do I want to know?” she asked, softer now.

“I’ll fill you in later on the flight.”

“Still, you shouldn’t be at that match right now.”

“Nari, I’m watching her play,” I said firmly.

“Yes, I know, dumbass,” she said, but her words came from my left instead of through the phone. Suddenly she was taking a seat beside me, dressed in an elegant long skirt and blouse.

“Are you allowed to speak to clients like this?” I asked, shutting my phone.

“Seeing as you’re my only client, yes.” With a pleased smile, she slid on her sunglasses.

Franny leaned forward to join the conversation. “All right, fill me in, how’s Luna?”

“How would I know?”

“Because you spent the night with her two weeks ago—” He narrowed his eyes at me.

“I didn’t spend the night with her,” I rushed.

His eyebrows shot to the middle of his forehead. “At the mansion… You didn’t drive two hours into the country to spend the night?”

“Oh. Yeah, yes, she’s fine—she was fine.” I cleared my throat, sitting back in my seat. I had worked hard to scrub the image of Luna Aldridge in our bed, sleeping, before I could get in.

Nari and Franny exchanged a look.

“What did youdo?” She leaned forward with a harsh whisper.

“Why do you thinkIdid something?”

“Because I have a Kieran-Screwed-Up Radar. What happened with her? You’re obligated to tell me under contract.”

“Nari—”

“No, don’t use yourlookon me. Did she steal your favorite bodywash? Make fun of your hair? Step on your new shoes? What did she do to piss you off?”

“Nothing.”Everything.