“I’m so relieved to have found you, baby!” Jesse cries out, looking not at me but at the cameras. “Everyone, look who I’ve found working at a pizzeria in St. Petersburg! It’s Star Beck!”

Chapter 19

I went looking for another me.
I’m lost, I’m found,
I’m broken, I’m right.
My tears are gone.
How come it’s you who always finds what I’ve lost?

—“LOST AND FOUND,” STAR BECK
ALBUM: SECRETS OF A STAR

Chapter 19

“What on earth?” Bev demands, rushing into the kitchen. She pushes her way through the wall of photographers until she’s standing face to face with Jesse and me. “What’s going on here?” she demands.

“Who are you?” Jesse asks.

“I’m the owner of this restaurant,” Bev says. She glances at Nick, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me. “And unless you have a very good explanation for being here, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“I’ve come to rescue Star Beck,” Jesse says proudly.

“Who?” Bev asks. Jesse laughs.

“Star Beck?” he says. “The most famous pop star in the world. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of her.”

“Of course I’ve heard of her,” Bev snaps. “I just don’t see what that has to do with my restaurant.”

Jesse winks at me.

“You’ve had her working here for the last week,” Jesse says. “Going by the name Amanda Pepper, I believe.” He nods toward me. Bev turns and studies my face. Something in her expression shifts.

“Amanda? Is this true?”

I hesitate, then miserably nod. I can’t believe it. Here, in front of the whole world (via the video cameras), the jig is up, so to speak. I can’t believe Jesse’s doing this.

Bev stares at me for a moment, then turns back to Jesse with her eyes flashing.

“Well, it doesn’t look to me like she needs any rescuing right now,” Bev says firmly. I feel a slight surge of pride and gratefulness. I hear one of the cameramen snicker. “As for you,” Bev says, turning her attention to the media horde. “This is private property. I’m going to give you thirty seconds to get out before I call the police.”

“You can’t do that,” one of the cameramen says.

“Watch me,” she responds, her voice as cold as ice. Apparently, it’s enough to convince them. After a moment of mumbling, the photographers and cameramen back reluctantly out of the kitchen, leaving the four of us—me, Jesse, Nick and Bev—alone with Max, one of the cooks, who’s staring at us from the corner.

“Now,” Bev says sharply, turning to Jesse. “What do you think you’re doing barging in here like this?”

“Relax, lady,” Jesse says innocently. “I’m just coming to get my girlfriend.”