Page 58 of If the Stars Align

“So I assume he’s not living here. I mean, Bloomington, Indiana isn’t exactly the epicenter of the entertainment industry.”

I giggle. “It certainly isnot. No, he’s in LA.”

Jeremy sighs. “My girlfriend’s in Chicago for med school. Sucks being long-distance.”

I frown. “It’s awful. I miss him so much.”

Jeremy nods. “We can commiserate, at least. Well, I’m heading out,” he says as he begins to turn away. “I’ll catch you later.”

“You’re notgoing to class?”

He shakes his head. “I’m meeting with this professor in the philosophy department.”

“Philosophy?” I ask, confused.

He shrugs. “Yeah, I’m reading this book about the paradox of idealism, and I just…really wanted to talk to someone about it, you know?”

I can’t help but laugh. “So now you’re readingphilosophyinstead of doing your law homework?”

Jeremy smiles, but not with his mouth so much as his eyes. “No, I’m caught up on all our schoolwork. I figure I won’t miss much if I don’t go to class today. It’s all a little basic right now, don’t you think?”

My eyes go wide. “You think this isbasic,” I repeat after him. “Why aren’t you at Harvard Law…or some other Ivy League school?”

Jeremy runs a hand over the scruff on his face. “Well—I kinda dicked around a lot in college.”

I laugh. “See you later,” I say as I start to walk away.

“Hey, Sunny?” he calls out. I turn around.

“You wanna meet up later to study?”

I guess there’s no harm in it. We’re both in relationships. Jeremy’s a friend. Plus, he’s brilliant, so I could probably learn a lot from him.

I shrug. “Sure.”

“Cool,” he says with as close to a smile as Jeremy can muster. “I’ll email you.”

Dex calls me late that night.

“Oh my god, Sunny,” he says right when I pick up. “You’ll never believe it.”

“Believe what?” I ask. He sounds so excited. But something in my gut tells me I won’t like what I’m about to hear.

“I got a job,” he says. “I’m going to be onPassions.”

I shake my head. “Passions? Like…the soap opera?”

“Yes! Isn’t that incredible? One of my professors hooked me up with a friend who works on the show. And it’s a real part, Sunny. I’m going to be one of the main characters.”

My hands are shaking. “Dex, oh my god! I’m so happy for you, I just—” I let out a breath. “I think I’m in shock.”

My boyfriend is going to be a soap star.

I close my eyes and get a glimpse into the future: Oliver Dexter on the cover ofSoap Opera Digest. Shirtless. Women lining up to meet him at soap opera conventions. Slipping him their phone numbers and flirting with him. His sexy co-stars kissing him. Touching him.

Falling in love with him.

I squeeze my eyes shut and will myself not to cry. Dex is over the moon. I can’t ruin this for him.