Nelle batted at Eden’s hand and stalked toward Anna, tail stuck straight up in the air.
“That was a soft paw, for the record.” Eden straightened, holding in a groan at the ache in her abs. She’d used some weird muscles today in that harness.
“Well, I’m glad she didn’t fillet you. That’s not the kind of hospitality I like to show my guests.” Anna placed a handful of empty beer bottles into a blue trash can, presumably for recyclables.
“I have no complaints about your hospitality.” Eden rested her elbows on the counter. “Need a hand with anything?”
“Nope. Nicole and Tom are getting ready to head out, though. She’s got an early call time tomorrow.” Anna’s friend Nicole had told Eden earlier tonight that she was currently filming a Netflix movie.
Eden enjoyed being around other people in the industry when it was low key like this. Too often, she found herself at events where everyone was trying to schmooze her, the kind of event where she had to put on an expensive dress and walk around in uncomfortable heels. She hadn’t minded that kind of event as much when she had Zach at her side, but on her own, they could be excruciating. “I should probably go ahead and call for my ride too.”
“Do you ever drive yourself?” Anna asked, glancing up. “Tell me to buzz off if that’s none of my business.”
“I gave up driving here in LA,” Eden told her. “I had a few too many scary run-ins with the paparazzi. They would photograph me through my windows at stoplights, and one time, they actually ran me off the road. It became more stress than it was worth.”
“I’m sorry,” Anna said. “That sounds like a nightmare.”
“It doesn’t happen to you?” Eden asked.
Anna gave her a look Eden couldn’t quite decipher. “Wicked” was the word that came to mind to describe it. Eden found herself leaning closer to hear what Anna would say. “I ride a motorcycle.”
“Oh.” Eden could immediately visualize it, Anna on a motorcycle, whizzing down the road with her blonde hair blowing in the breeze behind her. The image sent Eden’s pulse racing. She sucked in a breath. What would it feel like to be so free?
“With a full-face helmet on, no one has any idea who I am. I love it.”
“Well, now I’m jealous,” Eden said. “That sounds way more fun than being chauffeured around town all the time.”
“I could take you for a ride sometime, if you’d like,” Anna offered.
Eden considered that for a moment. She’d never been on a motorcycle before. It sounded a little bit reckless, a little bit dangerous, two things Eden had never been and wasn’t sure she even had in her. “Maybe.”
“Cool. No pressure.” Anna gave her another of those radiant smiles.
Eden found herself returning it. Smiles felt like work for her sometimes. At a photo shoot. On a red carpet. Those were smiles she had to think about, the kind of smile that hurt her cheeks at the end of the night from holding it in place. Anna inspired the best kind of smile, the kind that just ... happened.
Something bumped the back of her calves, and Eden looked down to see Nelle turning in circles behind her, rubbing against her legs. “Look.”
Anna leaned across the counter to peer down at her cat. “Eden Sands, you didn’t tell me you’re a cat charmer.”
“Iwasvoted most likable female celebrity a few years ago.”
Anna looked up. Her arm was pressed against Eden’s now that she’d leaned over the counter, and Eden felt hyperaware of her proximity and the warmth of her skin where they touched. She moved her arm just as the patio door slid open.
“We were starting to think you left without saying goodbye,” Zoe said to Eden as she walked into the kitchen, carrying the empty dessert plate.
“Nope. I just got sidetracked by Nelle.”
“And Anna, looks like.” Zoe grinned as she set the plate on the counter.
Nicole, Tom, and Kyrie had followed her in, and they all gathered in the kitchen as they prepared to head out. Eden slid her phone out of her back pocket and texted her car service. Hopefully Lawrence wasstill on. He was polite and friendly but didn’t try to make conversation all the way home, and tonight, she was ready to sit with her thoughts for a little while.
When she looked up, Anna was sitting on the counter, talking to Nicole.
“If anyone wants a ticket to the premiere for the new season ofThe Matchnext weekend, let me know. I can hook you up,” Zoe said.
“Me.” Anna raised her hand in the air like a student.
“I already saved you one,” Zoe told her.
