Starstruck Read online

  To say it was an unmitigated success would be an understatement. The show had lived up to its name by becoming the cable channel’s number one scripted series of all time, and it had launched a fandom that surpassed anything Christine could have ever imagined. Much was due to the gorgeous English locations and fabulous acting, but she couldn’t deny the larger part was owed to the charisma of its leading man. Who was flagging her down right now.

  “Christine! Could you come here for a second? We have a question.”

  She hopped out of her seat and pulled together the lapels of her wool cardigan against the house’s drafts as she cast around for David. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to be giving direction to the actors, but now he gave her a little nod of assent. She maneuvered herself through cables and equipment to where Nick stood with Rebecca.

  He smiled warmly when she approached, making her melt a little inside. Eighteen months together, and that look still affected her as strongly as ever. But they were on set, and while their relationship was no secret, they still had a duty to keep things professional.

  It was Rebecca who spoke up when she stopped beside them. “So, Livia is telling Jackson about the theft. Is she still really in the dark? Or does she know and she’s just playing dumb?”

  “Livia knows. She’s trying to catch him in a lie. So when he answers so sincerely that he had nothing to do with it, it casts everything else he’s just told her into question too.”

  Rebecca nodded. “Okay. Perfect. Thanks.”

  Christine turned to go back to her chair. Only then did she realize that half the cast and crew were crowded around them, including the camera operator, who was practically holding the rig six inches from her face. “What’s going on?” She searched for David again in the crowd. “Are you shooting footage for the behind-the-scenes promo again?”

  “Not quite,” Nick said behind her.

  Christine turned slowly, and her hands flew to her mouth at the sight of him kneeling on the rug in front of the fireplace. He had a velvet box in his hands.

  “Nick, what—”

  He stretched to grasp her hand. “Christine, seven years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life by letting you go. The past year and a half has been the happiest I can remember ever being, and I can’t help thinking there’s only one thing that could make me happier than being your boyfriend.”

  Christine looked around at all the expectant faces. “You all knew about this?”

  Cast and crew alike put on innocent, wide-eyed looks. The squeeze of Nick’s hand brought her gaze back to him.

  “Christine, you are the most interesting and intelligent woman I’ve ever met—whether you call yourself Chrissy, Christine, or Cressida—and I love every minute I spend with you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Tears pricked her eyes, emotion swelling up inside her. She nodded wordlessly, and he slipped the ring onto her finger, a slender old-fashioned band of filigree and diamonds. And then she pulled him to his feet, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

  The crowd around them cheered, and he broke off the kiss to draw back and look into her eyes. “I take it that’s a yes?”

  She nodded wordlessly, happiness bubbling up inside her and spilling out in a smile that threatened to crack her face. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” She laughed and planted a quick kiss on his lips before drawing back with a mischievous grin. “From all three of us.”

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  Books by Carla Laureano

  CLEAN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

  The Discovered by Love Series

  Jilted

  Starstruck

  INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE

  The MacDonald Family Trilogy

  Five Days in Skye

  London Tides

  Under Scottish Stars (Summer 2020)

  The Supper Club Series

  The Saturday Night Supper Club

  Brunch at Bittersweet Café

  INSPIRATIONAL FANTASY

  (as C.E. Laureano)

  The Song of Seare Series

  Oath of the Brotherhood

  Beneath the Forsaken City

  The Sword and the Song