Page 9 of A Summer of Stars

“You have no choice. This article”—she held up her phone—“is one of thousands that describe you as a playboy. This movie is about romance, so that’s not going to work. I understand four months is longer than anticipated, but a one-month relationship isn’t going to fool anybody; it’ll only prove their point more.”

“Okay, I get the point. Who is it, then?” Massaging the skin between my eyebrows, I waited.

“She’ll actually be here in—” She raised her wrist to read her watch, but was cut off by a knock on the door. “Right now!”

There was a bit of joy in the smile she held, which made me think this so-called meeting would be great for her, and torture for me.

But who would she…

No, she’d never. She wouldn’t.

It wouldn’t make any sense anyway because if production wanted romance, they wouldn’t get it withher. That woman didn’t do feelings—unless those feelings were about her appearance or winning. Grand slams and blown-out hair were the only things she cared about.

They’d never pick her.

Nari opened the door, and said with a smile, “It’s great to see you, Ms. Aldridge.”

My jaw came unhinged. “You’ve got to be—”

“Kieran.” She said my name the way others saidwell, look who it is. Thewhoin question being the devil, because this whole scene was taking place in hell.

She wore gray belted dress pants, black heels, and a black top that didn’t hug her neck nearly enough. Maybe I could get in contact with her seamstress and request that they only supply her with clothes that didn’t allow airflow to pass.

Aldridge gave me a cold stare and sat at the farthest pointat the table, pulling out her phone. Oh, now she wanted to be professional?

I turned to Nari. “This isn’t happening.”

Aldridge’s head snapped up. “He hasn’t agreed?”

With the famous Luna Aldridge looking slightly upset, now Nari started answering questions.

“Thought it would make for a fun meeting,” she said with a nervous grin.

People from management and PR entered the room, along with a slew of people I hadn’t seen before who sat around Aldridge. It was like we were preparing to negotiate a peace agreement after a war.

“Now let’s get started.” Nari clapped her hands.

Three Years Prior

“Tennis Star Luna Aldridge Stuns in Ruby-Red Gown Before Dropping Her $4,000 Purse in a Puddle”

—Hollywood Today

IT STARTED ONa Friday night at anRBYparty, three years ago. The rain was pelting the black SUVs outside the building. My purse slipped from my hand as I stepped out of the car. My event coordinator, Serena, gasped so loudly that everyone around us spun. You’d think I’d snapped my ankle.

One of the people who turned was a tall man in a navy-blue double-breasted suit.

I recognized him immediately. Kieran Alexander.

He had played Will Carter in the romance movie I’d watched on my flight there. He was the only person standing in the rain, letting the water completely soak him. His brownish blond hair was slicked back in a disorderly way, like a mysterious neighbor you spent months pining over from your window seat, caught in the rain walking his dog. He made it look romantic. Worthy oflingering on. Everyone else stood under the awning waiting for their dates, evidently no more standing room left.

His head whipped around at the sound of Serena’s gasping and caught my gaze. His eyes widened but quickly shifted to the purse that had tumbled into the puddle below. He bent down in haste, retrieving the bag and unbuttoning his blazer. I stared in confusion until he began brushing the debris off the purse with the inside of his jacket.

I wasn’t with Jeremiah then, so I wasn’t ashamed to find him attractive. I was rattled by his gesture and boy-next-door smile.

I extended my hand as he returned the bag. “I’m Luna.”

“I know.” He smiled. He almost looked awestruck. I felt overwhelmed by his attention. “I’m Kieran. It’s nice to meet you, Luna. I hope to see you inside,” he said before I was gestured forward, inside.