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“I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you!” AJ pulled Autumn into a hug, grinning enthusiastically. “I mean, I saw your movie, and it was freaking awesome! You are freaking awesome, and I can honestly say I’m probably your biggest fan.”

Autumn hoped her jaw wasn’t stuck to the floor. “Well, I, uh…Thanks?”

She was certainly surprised to have attracted the attention of two very handsome, and very famous, men. It didn’t matter that they weren’t as famous at the moment, but they’d once been fawned over by the whole world. Now, here they were, at an after-party, complimenting her, and she hoped that she deserved it. It was definitely flattering to be told you had a “biggest fan,” and she decided that she liked AJ McLean—whatever anyone else may say.

“Alex, you couldn’t possibly be her biggest fan.” Kevin shook his head and gave Autumn a sympathetic smile. “I think Nick’s already taken the lead on that one.”

Together, all three heads turned to watch Nick as he talked excitedly with Brian and Leighanne, who were walking towards them with huge smiles in tow. Autumn dimly wondered what Kevin meant before Nick looked up and spotted them. His smile dimmed as his gaze met three critiquing faces.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” He patted himself to make certain that nothing was wrong with his appearance.

Brian shook his head. “Nick, if something was wrong with your face, don’t you think I would’ve said something by now?” He looked at Kevin, AJ, and Autumn. “What gives? You’re gonna give him an anxiety attack with those stares.”

Kevin grinned. “It’s nothing. Alex, here, thinks he’s Autumn’s biggest fan, but I said”

“I changed my mind,” AJ interrupted. “I think Nick wins. He’s the one that’s seen her movie four times.”

Autumn was astonished and touched. She hadn’t thought he’d like the film enough to see it that often. And it had only been out a couple weeks. “Is that true?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah.” Nick shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I liked the movie, so I want to see it. You did good, Evans.”

Before she could respond, the group aimed cheesy smiles at a photographer, who’d appeared in front of them. Brian held out his award and looped an arm around Leighanne for the picture. When the photographer had moved on to the next group of stars, Howie appeared and reached out to give Brian a one-armed hug.

“Congratulations, Bri!” Howie grinned. “Guess there was nothing to be worried about, huh?”

Leighanne rested her hand over her husband’s. “Of course, there wasn’t. I keep telling him that, but he doesn’t believe me.” Her lips curved at the look on Brian’s face before she turned to Autumn. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Autumn. I’ve heard a lot about you—most notably the time where you pricked at Paris Hilton’s ego.”

“Uh…” What was she supposed to say to that? Autumn wondered. “It’s nice to meet you, too…”

“Leighanne,” Brian supplied as his face continued to glow. “She’s right. It’s fantastic to meet you.”

“Now could you please date, Nick?” AJ broke in and heard Nick sputter.

“What the hell?” He was definitely irritated and embarrassed on top of the irritation. “Don’t listen to him, Autumn. He’s got this crazy idea about the two of us that has nothing to do with what I want.” He shot AJ a look. “I’m sorry if he’s embarrassed you.”

Autumn had to smile at the fact that he looked and sounded like a cranky child. “Nick, it’s okay. Besides, I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to date me. Am I too ugly?” She fluttered her lashes and pouted. “Is that why you don’t want me?”

“You’re about as far from ugly as AJ is from pretty,” Nick muttered and sent Howie, Kevin, and Brian into gales of laughter.

“So that means I’m pretty?” Autumn wondered, trying to suppress the laughter that bubbled in her throat from the outrage on AJ’s face. “Aww, Nick thinks I’m pretty. Did you hear that, everyone?”

As Nick stood feeling more embarrassed than usual, the others erupted into fits of laughter. Autumn watched him and felt slightly guilty for the misery that tinged his eyes, and she’d taken a step towards him when a gorgeous blonde woman joined the group and wrapped her arms around Nick. Taken aback, Autumn watched and waited.

“Are they making fun of my Nicky again?” Kristin asked playfully.

Nick rolled his eyes. “It’s no big deal. It’s not like they don’t do that every time. It’s getting old guys,” he raised his voice so they’d hear him.

Kevin sobered, his smile gone even though his eyes still sparkled with humor. “You’re right. It’s getting old, and I want to get to know Autumn before she’s taken off by someone who thinks they’re more important than us.” He reached out to lace his fingers with Kristin’s, then turned his attention to Autumn. “So, how long have you wanted to be an actress?”

Autumn relaxed as the answers to the familiar questions flowed out of her easily. She’d done this in interviews so often that the words were on the tip of her tongue. Until Kevin surprised her.

“Did you go to college?”

Well, that was certainly different. “Uh…Why do you ask?”

“Honestly? Because I didn’t, and, while I don’t wish that I had, I always find it impressive that there are some talented people in this town who’ve been able to go to school and have successful careers at the same time. Don’t you?” Kevin smiled at her, and she couldn’t help but like the warmth in his deep green eyes—even if his question hit her with guilt.

She nodded and managed a smile. “I’d have to agree with you on that one, but, actually, I didn’t go to college. I, uh, I came to LA when I was sixteen. All I’ve got is a GED.”

“Hey, me too!” Nick took the attention off her, wondering at the flicker in her eyes before she’d answered Kevin’s question.

“I’m the only one who managed to get some sort of education after high school,” Howie told her. “Even then, it was just a junior college.”

AJ rolled his eyes. “He’s still got more money than the rest of us, though. He claims it’s because he went to college. Right.”

“Education’s important,” Leighanne reminded him, patting his cheek. “Just because you didn’t want it…”

“Doesn’t mean you should crack on people who did,” Leigh finished as she joined them, sliding an arm through Howie’s. She held out a hand to Autumn. “Hi, I’m Leigh. You must be the very talented Autumn Evans.”

Autumn blushed. “Thanks. It’s good to meet you.”

“Baylee’s starting school in January!” Brian announced proudly. “He’s already got the alphabet down, and the next logical step is preschool. I can’t wait.”

“He acts like he’s going to school with our Bay,” Leighanne chuckled, patting his arm affectionately.

Kevin grinned. “Well, Brian’s got more energy than a lot of four year olds. He may as well be going with Baylee.”

When the group laughed at Brian’s scandalized expression, Autumn couldn’t help but smile at the way they were so close. They were all very different, with different aspirations and goals, but they were committed to each other. She couldn’t help being slightly jealous of that type of bond, but she shook it off, reminding herself that she had Liz and Lily. It was just as good.

“Well, it was really nice meeting all of you,” she spoke up. “But, I’ve got to find my manager before she starts to worry about where I am. Hopefully, I’ll see you all again!”

“You, too,” Kevin murmured, watching her walk away before sliding his gaze over at Nick, who continued to follow Autumn’s retreat with his eyes. When everyone else began talking again, Nick slipped away quietly, and Kevin could only hope things would go well.

“He’ll be fine,” Kristin murmured, squeezing his fingers in hers.

Kevin watched Nick disappear into the crowd then smiled down into his wife’s smiling face. “I hope so. I sure hope so.”