Page 96 of Falling Like Stars

“Why? Aren’t you working on these costumes? What happened?”

“Nothing, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I give her a small smile. “Good luck with the film. I know you’ll look beautiful.”

At my studio, I lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling for a solid hour until my phone rings with J.J.’s number.

“Tell me something good, J.J.”

“I broke up with Edison.”

I shoot up to sitting. “What? When?”

“This morning,” J.J. says, sniffling.

“Oh my God, babe. Why? I thought you two were…” Perfect. I don’t want to say it and twist the knife in the wound.

“I thought we were too, but I’m just not feeling it. Isn’t that the worst? I’m just not feeling it. As if he were tacos and I’m in the mood for pizza.”

“Your feelings are valid, Jess. But do you really think there’s no salvaging it?”

“There isn’t. I’ve felt this way for a while. No electricity. It’s like we’re an old married couple except we’re not old or married.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say. “Do you want to come over for ice cream? Wine? Both?”

“No, I have to finish this dissertation if it kills me. I just wanted to let you know in case I’m quiet over the next few days.”

“Okay, but I’m here. Anytime you need me.”

“Thanks, Ro. I appreciate it. And speaking of ice cream, I saw The Scandal Sheet with you and Zach in St. Louis. I’m ridiculously happy for you. It made me cry so hard and that’s how I knew I had to break up with Edison.”

“Not sure I feel good about that…”

“I just mean that the way you and Zach were looking at each other… That’s what I want. And until I get it, I think I’m going to fly solo for a while.”

“Okay, babe,” I say. “I love you. Call me anytime.”

I suddenly have a lot of free time on my hands.

Twenty after six, and I’m dressed in a dark blue dress, heels, my hair pulled up. I even put on makeup, which I’m usually too lazy to bother with, but I’m probably going to be photographed tonight whether I want to be or not. I want to be pretty for Zach.

When he arrives, I literally swoon, bracing myself on the doorframe. He’s absolutely devastating in a dark suit, dark shirt open at the collar, no tie, and a gazillion-dollar watch on his wrist that draws attention to his large hands and that sexy vein that runs along his thumb…

“Rowan?”

I blink and give my head a shake. “Sorry, I was objectifying you but now I’m back.”

“I know the feeling,” he says, pulling me in close. “You’re stunning.”

Zach bends his tall frame to give me a kiss that I feel in the deepest part of me. As if he kisses me with his entire being so I feel it in my entire being. I return it with equal fervor, and we have to wrench away, breathless.

Zach whistles softly. “Well hell, we can skip dinner altogether if you prefer…”

“No, I need to tell you something. I need a nice dinner to make it less horrible.”

“Horrible? What happened?”

“It’s just work stuff.” I take his hand. “Let’s go.”

The car service takes us to Leggara, a swanky bistro in Beverly Hills. The flashbulbs start going off as soon as Zachary steps out. A dozen paparazzi are milling around the street and sidewalk in front of the restaurant. His personal security—a huge dude named Ezra who rode shotgun in the car with us—carves a path for us to get inside. I shield my face with one hand against the lights and grip Zach’s with the other.

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