She dragged her gaze back to the row of reporters in front of her. “It’s by Lavoie, one of my favorite new designers.”
“Are those the colors of the pansexual flag?” a young woman with a microphone asked.
Anna beamed at her. “Good eye. Yes, they are.”
“I love that,” the reporter responded enthusiastically. “Thank you for being so open about your sexuality.”
“Just being true to myself,” Anna replied. She knew she was lucky to live in a time when she could be out and proud like this, and she was honored to do what she could to further normalize queer people living their best lives.
As Anna reached the end of the red carpet, Kyrie appeared at her side, wearing a simple white dress. The tips of her hair were a mixture of pink and blue today to complement Anna’s dress while also serving as a subtle nod to her own flag as a transgender woman.
Anna and Kyrie headed for the entrance to the arena. Butterflies fluttered in Anna’s stomach as she climbed the steps toward the main entrance.
“Well, well. Fancy seeing you here.”
Anna’s butterflies promptly died, settling into a heavy weight in the pit of her stomach. Slowly, she turned to face the last person she wanted to see tonight, or any night. “Camille, hi.”
Camille Dupont looked unfairly gorgeous in her champagne-colored gown. Her blonde hair was swept into an elegant updo, and her smile oozed charm, but Anna had learned long ago that looks could be deceiving where Camille was concerned. “Don’t you look darling tonight?” Camille reached out to touch the sash of Anna’s dress.
She took an involuntary step back. “You look nice too.”
“And who’s this?” Camille looked at Kyrie as that all-too-familiar glint of jealousy flared in her eyes.
“This is Kyrie, my assistant,” Anna explained. “You’ve met.”
“Kyrie.” Camille nodded. “That’s right. Of course.”
“Hi,” Kyrie said with a polite nod.
“I think your hair was ... purple, perhaps?” She waved a hand as if the color of Kyrie’s hair was insignificant before focusing her gaze on Anna again. “Who are you here with tonight?”
“Just Kyrie.” Anna nearly flinched at the breathlessness in her voice. She’d always been helpless to resist the power of Camille’s presence. It was the reason she’d gone back to her time and time again, even when she knew their relationship had run its course, that Camille was controlling and manipulative and that Anna hated the way she felt when they were together.
“Three nominations tonight, Anna. Not bad.” There was pride in Camille’s voice now, and Anna involuntarily basked in it. “Shame you weren’t invited to perform.”
Anna clasped her hands in front of herself. “Maybe next year.”
Camille’s gaze slid over Anna’s dress in a way that would have once lit her on fire. She was pretty proud of herself that it didn’t have the same effect now. Then Camille’s expression changed to one of distaste. She tsked. “Are you wearing ... a pan flag?”
Anna wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. She’d been so proud of her dress a few minutes ago, but as she saw herself through Camille’s cultured eyes, she felt foolish. Anna was only too aware that she didn’t have the respect of her peers yet. She was still seen as the star of a silly teen show, not as a serious artist. She should have worn a different dress.
“I think her dress is beautiful.”
The unexpected voice had the effect of touching a live wire. Anna jumped, electricity firing through her system as she turned to find Eden standing a few feet away, watching with an inscrutable expression. Talk about beautiful ...
Camille turned toward Eden, surprise written all over her face. “Ms.Sands, what an honor.” She extended an elegant hand. “Camille Dupont.”
Eden accepted her hand, but she did it with an air that had Anna quaking in her shoes. Where had that haughty attitude come from? Eden looked at Camille as if she were the least important person she’d ever met, when in fact she was a renowned vocal coach. Anna hadbeen humbled to be accepted as one of Camille’s students as a fledgling singer.
Eden gave Camille’s hand a quick shake before turning to Anna. Immediately, her expression softened. “See you inside?”
Stunned, Anna could only nod.
Eden breezed past them, headed up the steps into the theater. Paris followed in her wake, carrying a blue clutch and wrap that matched Eden’s dress. She gave Anna a quick wave as she passed. Eden’s bodyguard walked beside Paris, looking smashing in a black suit.
“Eden Sands?” Camille said. “Youhavemoved up in the world, darling.”
“It’s been a big year for me, career-wise.”
