“So why don’t you date fellow celebrities? Actresses must be immune to the fame thing.”

“Ah, see, but they’re not. In a way, it’s even worse.”

Another song goes by, and we only nod to each other and keep dancing.

“Why are actresses worse than fans?”

“The movie industry is weird, complicated and… layered. It sort of has hierarchies.”

“I’m sure you can date out of your caste, though.”

Before replying, Christian spins me in an inside-outside turn. “Sure I can. But when I date someone less famous, I can’t help wondering if she likes me or the career boost and extra publicity in gossip magazines. It’s a feeling I can’t shake. And if I were to date someone more famous, then she’d probably have the same doubts. Not to mention that dating actresses is a nightmare. Schedules are the worst. Most of my past breakups happened due to scheduling conflicts.”

“You sound as wretched as Julia Roberts in Notting Hill when she tries to get the last brownie.”

As another song ends, Christian lifts me up and smiles as he lowers me down. “I’m just saying it’s not all bling.”

I squeeze his hand and motion him to pick up the quicker rhythm of the new song.

“So basically,” I say. “You need to meet a girl who’s never watched a day of TV in her life, fall in love with her, and make her fall for you.”

“And how many girls like that do you know?”

Countless nights spent binge-watching TV shows with Nikki flash before my eyes. “Not many, I agree.”

“Blair, you’re an amusing little thing. Where has Richard been hiding you?”

I turn rigid in his arms.

Christian immediately notices my discomfort. “What did I say wrong?”

“I’m self-conscious about my height, or lack of thereof,” I say, which isn’t a lie, but also isn’t the truth. Just hearing Richard’s name turns me into a bundle of nerves.

“Really? Don’t be. Men love tiny women.”

“And of the many adjectives women enjoy, ‘tiny’ and ‘little’ are not on the list.”

“Petite?”

“Nope.”

“Mmm, delicate?”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Okay, I’ll drop it.”

“Sage man.”

“What about you?” Christian goes back to our original conversation. “Any man in your life?”

I shake my head.

“I know I’m not supposed to ask, but how come?”

“Well, I spent my life giving too much importance to stupid things and wasted the last three years on a cheating bastard. So right now I’m focusing on myself and on straightening my priorities.”

And on the side, I have this ridiculous crush on my boss, you know, your friend Richard—the one who doesn’t do relationships.

“How’s that going?” Christian asks.

“So far, I changed jobs, my ex threatened to sue me on multiple occasions… mmm… I experienced my first hangover, got arrested, and adopted a stray dog.”