Page 77 of A Summer of Stars

“I’m fully aware.”

“You were running around in almost ninety-degree weather for two hours. Then you collapsed due to the heat, and now you’re going to get back out there and play again. You’re going to run your health into the ground if you don’t rest—” He exhaled, cutting himself off. He had this distant look in his eyes, and his cheeks were flushed. “Sorry, I…”

I filled in his sentence. “No, it’s fine. I, um, I’ll go shower.”

There was an ache in my chest as I walked into the master bedroom and collected fresh clothes. Something about the lack of composure in his tone made me feel stubborn for pushing back. Itwas another exposed thread to Kieran that I hadn’t asked for, or expected. There were so many unstitched threads.

First, he kissed me, then apologized for it.

Then he showed up at my match without it being required.

Now he was saying things about my health that felt deeper than just me. I itched to pull at more strands, but it felt like crossing a permanent boundary. One that required access to an ocean I wasn’t permitted to watch, let alone swim in.

I held tightly on to the side of the shower, stepping under the cold water. Quickly, I scrubbed my hair and let the cold stream pacify the warmth of my skin before I began shivering. Twisting the metal knob, I stepped out, dried off, and pulled on a thin tank and shorts. My hair was already soaking the back of the shirt by the time I returned to the living room. The entire room smelled of melted gruyère and toasted bread.

“That smells so good.” I sighed with relief, only to find Kieran sitting on the couch with a melted ham and cheese sandwich on the coffee table in front of him. He gave me a weird look I couldn’t decipher as I took a seat beside him. “You get a croque monsieur and I geta salad?” I asked in disbelief.

“It’s recommended that you eat hydrating foods. Eat your salad and maybe I’ll share,” he said with a tantalizing tone, raising his eyebrows and taking a first bite.

I rolled my eyes and stabbed a piece of watermelon. “You know a lot about heat exhaustion for someone who just found out I was sick.”

He cleared his throat. “My grandmother is in cancer remission. It’s really important for cancer patients to maintain a normal body temperature.”

My heart sank. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize.”

He shook his head, brushing it off. “She’s doing better now. At least that’s what she and the rest of my family are telling me.” He took another bite of his sandwich, thinking before continuing. “She’s like you: stubborn.”

I smacked his arm. He laughed, leaning away. “She must be pretty amazing if she deals with you all the time,” I thought aloud.

“Oh, she’s amazing all right. But who’s dealing with who is up for debate.”

“What are you possibly putting up with?”

“She emails me at the same time, every week, with every article she’s read that includes my name.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“Do you read the articles that are written about me?” He narrowed his eyes. “When I say every article, I meaneveryarticle. The ones about my dating life, my health routine,my sex life.”

“No!” I gasped, covering my mouth.

“Oh, yes.” He nodded in embarrassment. “She has no shame. She likes to rate the women I’m speculated to be dating too. Does all this research on their careers, their families, how they treat others, and then sends me an updated ranking.”

I collapsed into the armrest of the couch with hysterical laughter. “Stop, this is too funny,” I mustered, wiping tears.

“I wish I was kidding! There have been twice as many articles now with all our outings.” He let his head tip back on the cushion. I watched closely as his throat bobbed.

“What does she say about them?” I asked, curious now.

He stared up at the ceiling. “She refuses to believe our relationship is fake. She says the photos are too real.” He had a boyish smile.

“Well, that’s a good sign.” I laughed lightly in agreement.

He tilted his head toward me. His eyes were so much more piercing this way, under the darkness of his hair and the high of my laughter. The air coming in through the balcony pushed at his open collar. He looked so ethereal. He must’ve known it too, because he simply allowed me to explore his face.

“Where do I rank?” I whispered.

He parted his lips, the hint of a smile there. “At the top. She said that you’re beautiful.” His voice was a gruff whisper that made my heart pause.