Page 95 of If the Stars Align

I nod.

“Is it true you had a thing with Lola Piper? She’s my absolute favorite singer in the world. I’m adiehardPipette,” she nearly squeals. “Did she really write the song ‘Rolodex’ about you?”

I look down and laugh. When I meet Jenna’s gaze, I give her a slight wink.

She gets it.

“Wow,” she says, shaking her head and beaming. “You’re like, the luckiest guy in the world.”

I drag a hand over my hair and sigh. “Honestly, Jenna? It sure doesn’t feel that way right now.”

Her forehead crinkles. “Why not? What’s the matter?”

The bartender returns with our wine and I take a sip. “Do you remember Sunny?” I ask after a beat.

Jenna nods. “Yeah, of course. You guys were thick as thieves back when we were in school. Honestly…I always sorta thought you were in love with her.”

I let out a wry laugh. “Yeah, well, that’s the problem. I still am.”

Even as I say the words, I’m surprised I’m talking to Jenna about this. But it’s so rare that I’m aroundsomeone who knew me before I was famous. Not to mention, we lost our virginity to each other. There’s a certain level of comfort between us, I guess. At least on my end.

“What happened?” she asks. “Were you guys together?”

I squeeze my temples. “We were on and off for years. But this morning, she called to tell me she’s engaged.”

“That sucks,” Jenna says with a pout. “You’re as miserable as I am.”

“I’ll drink to that,” I say, lifting my glass.

She clinks mine, then takes a giant sip from her own. “I’m done with love,” she says, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’ve been burned too many times.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

She looks down at her lap. “No...I don’t.” Then she smiles with her eyes. “But, thanks for offering.”

“Anytime.”

“What youcando is give me pointers on casual dating because, so far, it’snotgoing well for me.” She takes another drink. “I mean, I thought it would be easy. What guy wouldn’t be happy to just hook up, right? But every man I’ve been out with in LA wants us to be exclusive.” She rolls her eyes.

I laugh. “It’s the downside of being an attractive woman, I guess.”

She looks up at me with a playful smile. “What aboutyou? You’re pretty easy on the eyes…do you have this problem too?”

“Yeah, I’ve been there,” I tell her. “You’re basically screwed.”

She giggles. “Good to know—thanks.” She finishes her last bit of wine right as I’m finishing mine. “I’msonot used tobeing single,” she says, her smile fading. “I was always a relationship girl, and now…I get lonely a lot.”

I recognize the look in her eyes, and it crushes me. It’s like seeing my own dejected reflection in the mirror every night before I go to bed.

I lean in to whisper in her ear. “Why don’t you come home with me?”

When I pull back, she blinks a few times before answering. “Are you serious?”

I shrug. “Why not? You’re lonely, I’m lonely. We’re both brokenhearted, it would seem.”

She bites the emerging smile on her lip. “Youdohave a point…”

“I mean, we’ve already slept together—once. And we made out a lot more than that?—”