Page 25 of Stars Collide


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Eden nodded. “Beer sounds great.”

Anna set the bottle of rum on the counter and led the way toward the back patio. “Right this way. We’re just waiting on two more people, and then we’ll eat.”

Eden shivered. The temperature had dropped quite a bit since she’d arrived. Before her, flames from the firepit danced, illuminating the patio area behind Anna’s and Zoe’s homes. After two beers and some delicious stir-fry, Eden was full and relaxed, kicked back in a chaise beside Anna. Her friends Nicole and Tom had asked Eden for a selfie, but other than that, no one seemed to care who she was.

And she was surprised by how easily she’d settled in their presence. Eden was generally wary of letting her guard down around people she didn’t know, yet somehow, Anna’s friends put her at ease. Maybe that had something to do with Anna herself, who always seemed to find ways to make Eden smile.

“Awfully quiet over there, Ms.Pop Superstar,” Anna said in a teasing voice, turning her head to look at Eden.

“Sorry. Alcohol makes me introspective.” She rubbed her hands over her arms. If she hadn’t been so cold, she’d be content to sit here all night.

“Really?” Zoe asked. “It doesn’t make you want to get wild and dance on tables?”

Eden smiled. “No, but I had a full day of tour rehearsal, so I’m probably just tired.”

Anna stood and went inside, and Eden fell into conversation with Kyrie, learning that she and Anna had met when Kyrie worked as a production assistant onHex High. The patio door slid open behind her, and Anna was back, carrying something.

“Here. You look like you’re freezing.” Anna passed her what turned out to be a hoodie.

“Oh, thank you.” Eden sat up and tugged it over her head, immediately enveloped in warmth and a faint, vaguely sweet scent that she associated with Anna. It was thick and soft and a pretty lilac color that was subtler than the yellow hoodie Anna herself had on tonight. Eden sank her hands into the front pocket with a happy sigh. “This is perfect.”

Anna smiled, the flames from the firepit casting dancing shadows over her face. “No problem.”

“Dessert, anyone?” Zoe held up a plate full of small pastries. “Lemon meringue bites, and before you ask, I bought them.”

“Phew,” Nicole said with an exaggerated look of relief.

“Not much of a cook?” Eden asked Zoe.

“I’m a hazard in the kitchen.” Zoe held the plate toward Eden. “So you should definitely be glad I didn’t make these.”

“I’m no better. Thank you.” Eden grabbed one of the pastries. It looked almost like a lemon bar, with a white topping she presumedwasn’t actual meringue since she’d learned earlier tonight that Anna was vegan.

The dessert was delicious, and between the six of them, they polished off the entire plate while they chatted. The combination of the borrowed hoodie and the firepit had Eden feeling warm and cozy despite the chilly air. Her balcony had a better view, but the ambiance here was so much friendlier.

“Could you point me toward your restroom?” she asked Anna.

“Of course. It’s the door on the right, just past the kitchen.”

“Thank you.” Eden stood and went inside. She found the bathroom with no problem and freshened up. As she came back out, she was startled to find Nelle sitting on the other side of the door, staring up at her. “Hi,” she said to the cat.

Nelle meowed.

“Talkative, hmm? Just like Anna.” Eden crouched and extended a hand, wary after the way she’d been introduced to the cat. Nelle looked harmless, but then again, so did her namesake.

Nelle sniffed her fingers and meowed again.

“I bet you wish you could come outside with everyone.”

Nelle looked up at her with wide green eyes, then rubbed the side of her head against Eden’s hand. Deciding to risk it, Eden gave her chin a quick scratch. She was rewarded by a thin purr.

“I’m starting to think you get a bad rap,” Eden whispered.

Nelle looked up and meowed again.

The patio door slid open, and Anna stepped inside. “Oh jeez, be careful, Eden. I’m not kidding.”

“No blood has been spilled,” Eden said.