Page 105 of Aria

“You’re one-hundred percent famous,” Lisa argued. “You’re sitting next to Taylor Swift tonight.”

The nerves began to bubble in my belly. I’d always chosen to stay out of the spotlight—I didn’t mingle with the A-listers or attend socialite parties. I would much rather partake in a date night on the couch watching movies in my pajamas.

I took a deep breath to ease my jitters.

A few hours later, we stopped by the dress shop to collect our gowns for the evening.

“I feel like a princess,” Lisa exclaimed when she spotted her dress. “Pinch me, please. This cannot be real.”

I studied my own reflection in the mirror, my jaw dropping. I’d chosen a deep turquoise, strapless dress. The top portion had a sweetheart neckline bodice, and it hugged my curves in all the right places. A ruffled, floor-length organza skirt adorned the bottom half of the gown. I twirled my hips back and forth, watching as the layers of chiffon splayed around my feet and rhinestones twinkled under the glow of the boutique lights above my head.

Lisa exited the dressing stall, clapping her hands with enthusiasm. “I think I’m going to pass out.”

My friend was wearing a formfitting red gown with long sleeves and a plunging neckline. “You look sensational,” I said in an excited breath. “A classic beauty.”

When we finally met up with Devon and Miles at the studio to catch our limo, Devon smiled for the first time in over a week.

“Goddamn,” he muttered, eyeing me up and down before wrapping his arms around me and kissing my temple.

I allowed myself to pretend for a moment that everything was okay between us—we were blissfully in love in a utopian world. I imagined it was just like it used to be when we had first started dating: tender, exciting, and full of possibility.

When he let me go, the moment ended. I regarded the dark circles under his eyes and his lifeless expression. Nothing was okay.

But tonight, we would lie.

The drive to the award ceremony was long and painfully quiet, with Devon on his phone the entire time. I let my gaze fall upon the man I had given myself to over the past year, knowing he wasn’t that man anymore. It ate me up inside.

My rock star boyfriend was still a star, but he was no longer my rock.

What if I just needed to try harder to bring him back to life? What if there was still hope for him to change?

“You excited?”

The sound of his voice startled me, breaking through my thoughts like a jagged thorn. He didn’t look up from his phone when he addressed me. “Very excited,” I answered. “Nervous?”

Devon was typing away on his digital keypad, and I wondered if he’d even heard me until he finally shrugged. “Nah.”

Miles shifted in his seat across from us. “Don’t know about you, bro, but I’m about ready to shit myself.”

Lisa laughed. “I’m excitedandnervous. I’ve had this recurring dream that I’m going to trip on my chunky heels and face-plant on the red carpet in front of Brendon Urie.”

“Stop… I’ve been having thatexactsame dream,” I joked.

“I won’t let you fall, babe,” Miles said to Lisa as he reached his arm over her shoulders.

Do you say that to all your women, Miles?

I never did tell Lisa about my suspicious encounter with the bass player. The Grammy’s had been so close that I hadn’t wanted to take such a lifechanging experience away from my friend. I didn’t want to be the messenger that broke Lisa’s heart.

She would always have your back, though.

The nagging thought flooded me with guilt as I watched how unaware Lisa looked in the arms of her lover. Lisa would never let me get played like that.

I sighed, slinking back against the seat—I would tell Lisa after the Grammy’s.

“Check it out!” Lisa pointed out the window as we ventured through Midtown Manhattan. The iconic building came into view, bustling with reporters and important people.

Our limo pulled up behind a sea of black luxury vehicles and SUVs, all with tinted windows. It was a mystery who may be inside: Katy Perry, Bono, Jennifer Lopez. I felt small among the quintessential stars.

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