“So she is,” Anna said. “Ballsy of her.”
She and Eden crossed to the other side of the bridge to throw away their ice cream trash, and then they walked past the table of women as they continued on their way down the river walk, both of them laughing quietly as they passed.
“You’re right,” Eden said. “The disguise works, and this is so much more fun than spending the afternoon in my hotel room.”
“Oh, I don’t know. We’ve had a lot of fun in your bed too.” Okay, she hadn’t thought that through before she said it, and now Eden was definitely blushing. Anna searched desperately for a change of topic, deciding to return to their game. “See that man over there in the huge hat? He’s an actor in town filming a movie. He obviously got the memo I sent out that today was undercover-celebrity day here on the river walk.”
Eden threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, but I already knew that. He taught me the secret handshake while you were buying our ice cream.”
Eden couldn’t stop smiling. Not that she was generally an unhappy person, but her usual happy place was the stage ... not the San AntonioRiver Walk. She hated going out in public, and yet this was the most fun she’d had in ages.
Then again, she and Anna always seemed to have fun together, whether they were sightseeing or rehearsing or watching a movie together in bed. Maybe that explained why she couldn’t seem to get Anna out of her head, but deep down, she was starting to have her doubts. Straight women didn’t fantasize about kissing their female friends, and lately, Eden couldn’t seem to stop thinking about kissing Anna.
She wasn’t ready to acknowledge those thoughts yet, though. Maybe she never would be. She and Anna were friends, and Eden wasn’t about to ruin the dynamic between them, especially not when she was so confused about her sexuality.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Anna said.
Eden blinked, yanking herself out of her spiraling thoughts, none of which she’d share with Anna for any amount of money.God.Her cheeks felt too hot. “Just thinking that this is the most fun I’ve had in a while. Thanks for pushing me to come, although I still can’t quite believe no one’s recognized us.” She dropped her voice on that last part.
She and Anna were seated at an outdoor table at one of the restaurants that lined the river walk, having an early dinner before they went back to the hotel to get ready for the show.
“Just out of curiosity, the last time you went out in public, did you and Zach take a stroll down Rodeo Drive looking like the ultimate celebrity ‘it’ couple?” Anna’s eyes twinkled with humor.
“Not Rodeo Drive, but I guess most of my negative experiences were in LA.” Eden sighed. “I’ve been missing out, haven’t I?”
“I can’t answer that question for you,” Anna said. “But if today was any indicator, we should do this more often. Think of all the cities we can explore together!”
“Yes,” Eden agreed. “I’d like to do this again, although not in every city. We need to rest when we can. You won’t believe how exhausted you’ll be after a few months on the road.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re right. Right now, I’m so giddy about being on tour for the first time that I feel invincible.”
“Maybe you are,” Eden countered with a wink, and she caught herself staring at Anna’s lips again. “I had a lot more energy in my twenties too.”
“Stop that right there.” Anna pointed an accusatory finger at her. “We’ve already been over this, and you’re only nine years older than me.”
Nine years felt like a lot when Eden thought about kissing her, especially when she remembered the way Anna used to idolize her. Their meals arrived, saving Eden from that line of thought. Her stomach growled as she surveyed her enchiladas. They looked incredible. The chips and salsa they’d munched on while they waited for their entrées had been wonderful too. Honestly, the whole afternoon had been perfect. Eden had barely even wondered where Taylor was, although she’d texted with her several times to check in.
“Zoe would be so jealous right now,” Anna said as she picked up one of her tacos. “She grew up here in San Antonio.”
“Oh, really?”
Anna nodded. “Her parents emigrated from Mexico when she was a baby and settled here. I’m sure she would have taken us to a more authentic restaurant well away from the river walk, but I’ve really enjoyed being a tourist today.”
“Me too,” Eden said. “In fact, if we have time after dinner, maybe we should pop into one of the stores and buy a souvenir?”
And that was how she found herself in her hotel room several hours later holding a lollipop that contained a scorpion. She doubted she’d ever find the courage to eat it, but in the meantime, she was being spontaneous, the way she imagined Anna would in this situation. Edentook a silly selfie with the lollipop and posted it to her social media all by herself, which prompted an immediate text from Paris.
Paris:
What in the world? You’re eating SCORPIONS and posting on your own?!?!?!
Eden:
Had a fun afternoon and this seemed safe! I didn’t mess up, did I?
Paris:
Nope. Just surprised me, that’s all.
