Page 1 of Until Then

PROLOGUE

IZZY

Cameras flash nonstop,the paparazzi behind me yelling at every celebrity to “look this way” and “turn toward me,” as if anyone can discern whomeis in his mayhem.

I shuffle through the crowd, offering apologies when I bump into another person nearly every foot.

Desperately, I fight to get to my post where I’ll be interviewing on the red carpet on behalf of The Tea—a celebrity gossip and news channel. This is the third year I’ve represented them here, and yet my nerves still rattle me.

“Am I sweating?” I ask. “I feel like I’m sweating.”

Carla, an assistant from the show’s production who’s shadowing me today, pauses only long enough to give me a quick assessment before nudging me to keep moving. “You don’t look sweaty. We’re almost there.”

She speaks into her Bluetooth headset, but I can’t make out the words. It all sounds like gibberish in the chaos.

Years ago, when I started my vlog, I never dared to dream about these kinds of opportunities. It felt like too much to hope for. But as my vlog became more popular and my social media following grew, so did the offers I received.

“Here we are.” Carla motions to where The Tea is set up on the carpet, camera and everything.

In a matter of seconds, I’m mic’d up and handed a separate microphone to pass to my interviewees.

Things go well as celebrities arrive. I even manage to interview one of my favorite actors, Samuel Owens, without peeing myself, so I count it as a win.

Not long after, Lux, the world’s biggest popstar, makes her way over to me, practically swimming in a sea of glitter and wearing a shimmery silver dress that reflects the lights around us.

Carla takes the card from my hand and replaces it with a new one.

Keep your cool, Izzy. She’s just a person.

Lux is one of my unicorns. A celebrity I’ve dreamed of meeting more than just about anyone else. At twenty-two, she’s already reached uber stardom, surpassing many of the recent greats with chart-topping songs and albums and unmatched tickets sales.

Heart racing, I clear my throat. “Lux, thanks so much for chatting with The Tea tonight. You look wonderful. Who are you wearing?”

I loathe that question, but it’s one I’m required to ask.

She looks down at the dress with a small smile, though there is a flash of annoyance in her eyes she can’t hide. But with her head tipped, the camera likely missed it. “It’s Gucci.”

I paste on a smile. The last thing I want is for this interview to go south because of the questions The Tea wants me to ask. I glance down at the index card in my hand.

“What’s your must-have makeup product on tour?”

Lux keeps the same small, almost bland smile as her fake silver lashes fan against her cheek. “I’m really into this rose-tinted lip oil right now. And no, I don’t know the brand. It’s one my makeup artist uses.”

I bite my lip. “Um…” I clear my throat. God, this is already a disaster. Carla gives my elbow a squeeze, reminding me to keep going.

Hands shaking, because Lux is already edging away from us, I mindlessly read the question from the index card. “Is it true you’re dating Cannon Rhodes from the band The Wild?”

Lux purses her lips, her eyes going almost as icy as her blond hair. “What kind of importance do my dress and makeup, or who I may or may not be screwing, carry?”

“I—”

“I’ve stated time and time again that certain topics are off-limits, and still you reporters push?—”

I gape, my heart dropping. “I’m not a?—”

“What’s next on that little card of yours?” she asks with a sneer. I’ve never known Lux to behave this way. In every interview I’ve seen of her, she’s been fun and bubbly.

“I…” I lower my head, read the next question, and close my eyes, doing my best not to cringe on camera. “There are reports of you leaving a hospital on tour. Is there any validity in the rumor that you had an abortion?”

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