“My carbon footprint was impeccable until you became a movie star,” he says.
“Sorry about that.”
I feel Rainer slip a hand around my waist. “You mean you didn’t at all enjoy those reclining seats? The candy?” he says. “Sour Patch Kids are your guilty pleasure, right?”
I turn my head to him. “Candy?”
Rainer shrugs. “I had them stock the plane.”
“You flew them private?”
Rainer smiles and cups my chin with his hand. “They’re your best friends.” I let his lips graze mine. “Plus, it was the clear way to guilt Jake into it. I donated the carbon offset.”
Jake slings an arm over Cassandra’s. “Your parents send their regrets, by the way,” he says.
“They’re deep in wedding planning,” Cassandra continues. “And Joanna couldn’t find anyone to watch Annabelle.”
“We tried,” Rainer says.
“You guys being here is everything.” I glance back at the table and wave to Jessica, Wyatt’s assistant, and Alexis—who is, apparently, attending my birthday party.
I peel myself away from Rainer and loop my arm through Cassandra’s. “I need to borrow you,” I say.
“No borrowing necessary. I’m yours.”
Jake clears his throat. “For a limited period of time. Also, I want to talk to you about how you can use this newfound celebrity for good.” His face gets superserious. “You have an amazing platform now, but all I see printed about you are gossip columns about how this dude kisses,” he says, gesturing to Rainer.
I’m remembering this piece that ran before tour about how Rainer had rented out a movie theater for a romantic date we had. It was true. I still don’t know how they found out about it. Someone Rainer had let in to plan it? Reading it was strange. It was like the reporter had been to a version of our night. We had popcorn, not Skittles. We did make out, though. This is what I’m saying: Being famous is like being yourself, but not. It’s like being yourself outside of yourself. There are two versions—the one you know and the one people think they know, and it’s hard to remember which is which. It’s easy to start believing what people write about you.
“I brought a lot of introductory materials,” Jake says.
I glance at Rainer, and he nods. “Jake and I will get started on saving the world. You two do… whatever girls do.”
I lead Cassandra away from the table into a corner by a lightly radiating heat lamp. As soon as we’re alone, Cassandra corners me. “How is it going with Rainer? Tell meeverything.”
“Things are really good,” I say. “He was amazing on tour. Cassandra, you would not have believed how crazy it was.”
Cassandra nods. “I saw pics.”
“It was bigger than anything you can imagine.”
“Scary,” Cassandra says.
“I know. But Rainer is great with it all. Seriously, Cass, I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s so supportive—”
“And hot,” Cassandra says. She clucks her tongue and raises her eyebrows. I look over at where Rainer is handing Jake a drink.
“And hot,” I agree.
Cassandra takes my hand in hers. “I can’t believe it,” she says. “You’re this movie star.” Her blue eyes look into mine. They’re bright. Piercing. “I’m really proud of you,” she says.
I feel something well up in my throat. I hug her close, and she yelps.
“Ask me about Jake,” she says.
I laugh. “I’m sorry! How is Jake?”
She sucks in her bottom lip. “Great,” she says. “I mean, he still makes me stand outside superstores on Saturdays, but I don’t even mind anymore. It’s fun when we’re together. Can you believe it?”
