Page 59 of Stars Collide


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“What?”

Eden pointed toward the bean-shaped sculpture before them, the one Anna had seen in a million photos but never in person. “That thing is called Cloud Gate.”

“You’re pulling my leg.”

“No, I’m not. Google it.” Eden led the way toward the bean, which was heavily surrounded by tourists.

Anna pulled out her phone and did just that. “Holy shit. You’re right!”

Eden raised an eyebrow as if to say, “Aren’t I usually?”

“How did you know that?”

“I did some press while I was here with Zach. One of the radio hosts corrected me when I called it the bean. He was being a smart-ass, but he was right.”

“Huh.” Anna squinted at the sculpture. “I don’t get it. Cloud Gate?”

“I think it has to do with how you see the reflection of the clouds on it.” Eden shrugged.

“I guess. Okay, this looks like it’s as close as we’re going to get without being caught up in that crowd. Selfie?”

Eden nodded. She raised her right arm as if to wrap it around Anna’s shoulders, then froze and dropped it, and just like that, their tentative return to the friend zone shattered. Now they were both thinkingabout the kiss, both eyeing each other warily. Anna’s pulse picked up speed, and she wondered if Eden’s had too.

Anna wanted to groan in frustration. She hated when things got awkward. It wasn’t like her to fumble around with someone like this, not talking about the elephant in the room. She hadn’t felt this powerless since she’d been with Camille. At the thought, she flung a hand onto Eden’s shoulder, effectively crumbling the wall Eden had thrust between them.

“Just friends posing for a picture,” Anna said unnecessarily as she held her phone up in front of them.

Eden smiled for the camera, looking as easy-breezy as ever, as if she hadn’t just made things weird by refusing to touch Anna.

Anna snapped several photos, then pocketed her phone and led the way toward what she hoped was an exit. “The lake’s nearby, right? Lake Michigan?”

Eden nodded. “It is. There are some nice walking paths along the waterfront. Want to?”

“Yes.” That sounded perfect.

They made their way through the park and onto the paved walkway that led along the waterfront. Lake Michigan spread before them, so vast it might as well have been the ocean, except that it lacked the salty scent of the sea. Anna stared out at it as her hair whipped around her face.

“Nice, hmm?” Eden said.

“Yeah.” Anna glanced at her. They were both trying so hard to pretend everything was normal between them, but it wasn’t. Maybe it would never be normal again after that kiss. How could it? Anna was dying to know what Eden was thinking, what she was feeling. Had it been a fluke or something more? Unfortunately for her, Eden’s expression was as hard to read as ever.

Wordlessly, they started walking. The path was busy, bustling with people out walking and jogging. Eden looked tense, staring at her feetto avoid making eye contact with anyone to the point where Anna wondered if she was even taking in their scenery. Maybe coming here today had been a mistake.

“Ready to call it a day?” Anna asked.

“Yes.” Eden’s relief was palpable. “Sorry. There are just too many people, and I swear that group over there is watching us.”

Anna looked where she’d indicated, spotting a group of young people whodidseem to be paying close attention. One woman held her cell phone in front of herself as if she was videoing them. Had they been recognized? “You’re right. Let’s get out of here.”

Anna led Eden briskly in the opposite direction. Beside her, Eden pulled out her phone, presumably to text Taylor. When Anna glanced over her shoulder, the group was following them. One of them was wearing a T-shirt with Anna’s face on it. Definitely fans. She pursed her lips. Why was she running away from her fans? Shelovedher fans.

But she’d promised Eden that she’d do everything she could to keep these outings under wraps. Eden feared being mobbed—plus she seemed to need to be in control of her situation, and they definitely weren’t in control here.

“The car’s pulling around to get us, and Taylor’s headed this way just in case.” Eden sounded vaguely out of breath. They weren’t walking that fast. She must be more anxious than Anna had realized.

“Okay. Worst case, we have to pose for some pictures.” That sentence didn’t feel right in Anna’s mouth. Posing for pictures was something she enjoyed. Once she’d gotten Eden safely to the car, maybe she’d come back and greet her fans on her own.

After Camille, Anna had promised herself that she wouldn’t compromise herself for anyone again. She wouldn’t go against her gut. And yet here she was, avoiding a difficult but necessary conversation about that kiss and rushing out of the park to avoid her fans. Anna didn’t like the way she felt about either.