Page 82 of #Starstruck

It’s your fault that nobody else does,that voice whispered. I knew that. Which was why I had already planned to sit Lexi down tomorrow and confess.

One-F presented his arm. “Will you allow me to escort you inside? My boss would not be happy if I let anything happen to his favorite person.”

His favorite person. I let those words light me up like the massive Christmas tree in Marabella’s main square.

The guard found both of our names, and I slipped my arm through One-F’s. “I’m glad your foot is better. Sorry about that again, by the way.”

“You know, I think it might have been worth sacrificing a foot to see Chase so happy.”

The benefit was being held at a club on the beach that was constructed almost entirely out of glass. I could see Chase on the red carpet, smiling and waving, turning and posing. I couldn’t believe someone so wonderful and beautiful could actually be mine. I noticed his publicist behind him, urging him on every few feet. The one Lexi had flirted with to meet Chase. What was his name? Oh. Right. Aaron.

“Can the people outside see us?” I asked.

“No, it’s reflective glass. We can see out, but nobody can see in.”

Which meant Chase and I didn’t have to pretend we weren’t together once he came in.

One-F offered to grab us something to eat and drink, and I told him I was fine. He said he’d be back, leaving me to watch Chase. He was so good at what he did. Every reporter he talked to wore a huge smile after he finished speaking to them.

Chase finally made it inside, and I saw his face flatten into a look of exhaustion for a second before we made eye contact. Then the sparkle was back in his eye. “Good. You’re still here. I was worried you’d meet somebody else and run off with him.”

“There’s nobody here who compares to you.”

“Not even James Cruz?”

I blinked. “Who?”

That made him grin, pull me toward him, and kiss me so thoroughly that I forgot we were in a room full of people. He finally stopped, remembering himself, but he kept his arm around my waist, holding me close.

Many people came up to say hello to us. Well, to Chase. People looked at me curiously, but Chase didn’t introduce me, and I didn’t offer any explanation. It was nobody else’s business.

“Mom! I want you to meet my girlfriend, Zoe.”

Chase’s mother had to be in her early sixties, but she looked twenty years younger. She wore a champagne-colored dress and a delicate floral scent. She had the same bright blonde hair as Chase, the same blue eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” I held out my hand, and she took it gingerly. She nodded to me but focused all her attention on her son.

“I wanted to let you know that Richard and I are getting divorced. It’s going to be announced in a press release tomorrow. My publicist has hopes of getting some morning talk shows as well.”

“Did you cheat on him?” Chase’s words were measured, angry.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with.” She kissed Chase’s cheek, leaving a lip print behind. “I shouldn’t neglect my guests.”

She walked away, and I reached up to rub off her lipstick. His jaw was tight, and the veins in his neck were popping. I’d never seen him mad like this before.

“She uses my fame to get those talk shows. She thinks if she gives me a heads-up that everything is fine, and it doesn’t matter that she uses my name to get herself on television. That she exploits every divorce as a way to grab more publicity. She acts like we have the best relationship in the world when she barely even speaks to me. Unless she wants something.”

I hugged him, not sure what to say or do. A second later I felt his arms circle around me.

“My mother makes me want to drink.”

“But you won’t.”

“I won’t,” he agreed in a gruff voice. “But I really want to.”

A glass broke behind him, and I peered over his shoulder to see a waiter trying to pick up the large shards. Chase released me, and I turned around. My stomach sank, and sweat broke out along my hairline when I saw who was standing in front of us.

It was Stephanie. Hair done, makeup on, wearing a sophisticated little black dress.

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