Eden had been just sixteen when she released her first album, which meant she’d been famous for more than half her life. Twenty years in the spotlight was a long time. Anna couldn’t even imagine. The spotlighthad been aimed in her direction for only a few years, and already she felt its burn.
It was getting harder for her to go out in public without being recognized, although she hadn’t completely lost her anonymity yet. She wasn’t complaining, though, because she was living her dream, writing and performing queer songs for her increasingly diverse fan base.
Now if only she could get the world to see her as an adult and take her seriously as an artist. She was so tired of being called bubbly and cute. Anna had never won a major award or received critical acclaim for her music. It would mean the world to her to win a Grammy on Sunday night, tangible evidence that she had the talent to succeed. That she belonged here.
She’d definitely cry if she won, probably sleep with her Grammy beside her bed. Yes, she knew awards were arbitrary. Many legendary artists were chronically snubbed, but she’d been practicing her acceptance speech since she was a little girl. She wanted a Grammy more than anything.
As Eden led the way toward the stage, Anna was struck again by her beauty. She walked with such poise, such presence. Eden owned every room she entered. Even her clothes were elegant. Her silk blouse shimmered in the light, and her jeans hugged her curves like they were made for her. Eden had a great ass.
And Anna was totally checking her out right now. She rushed to catch up, then caught Eden’s eye to give her a quick smile. Eden returned it, and this smile looked softer and more natural than the one Anna had received when they first met.
Eden climbed to the top of the makeshift hill. “I’ll start up here like I’ve just finished singing ‘Alone.’ Ready?”
Anna nodded.
Eden switched on her microphone and lifted it. “Smile for the camera. Perfect makeup, perfect hair.”
Anna felt all the fine hair on her body stand on end at the sound of Eden’s voice filling the room without musical accompaniment. This was amoment. She wanted to pinch herself. Anna listened in awe as Eden sang the first verse of the song.
“But after midnight ...,” Eden crooned.
Anna was so mesmerized by her voice that she nearly missed her cue. She fumbled to turn on her microphone and walked out from behind the structure. “I let my hair down. After midnight, I’m not afraid to be a clown.”
Lora held up a hand, and Anna stopped singing. “Let’s tweak your entrance a bit.”
Anna nodded. Lora tested a few variations of Anna’s entrance, finally deciding she would emerge from behind the hill in a puff of stage smoke.
“Eden, after you sing your last line, you’re going to give Anna a hug, as if you’re embracing your younger self,” Lora said. “Anna, you’ll rest your head on her shoulder. We’re going for a tender moment to end the performance.”
It was a beautiful concept, but when the time came, Anna found herself flustered all over again about touching Eden. Mostly, she’d managed well today. Singing a duet with her idol? No problem. She was a professional. But cuddling up to the woman she’d fantasized about as a teenager?Hoo boy.
Carefully, Anna leaned in and rested her face against the soft silk of Eden’s blouse. She smelled vaguely like roses, and Anna could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric. Eden’s bra strap was beneath her cheek, and the soft swell of her breast pressed against Anna’s neck.
Eden’s arms came around her, holding her gently, almost delicately, and Anna forgot how to breathe. Her heart gave a strange little double beat, andoh no, this was not a platonic reaction to a hug. This wasn’t hero worship either. Anna probably shouldn’t be surprised to feel thestirring of attraction. After all, Eden was gorgeous and exactly Anna’s type. She’d always gone for older, powerful women.
For a warm moment, she was in Eden’s arms, and then it was over. Anna straightened. Eden turned to speak to Lora, completely unaffected. Of course she hadn’t felt anything. As far as Anna knew, Eden was straight, and even if she wasn’t, she was unlikely to lust over Anna after all her fangirling earlier. They weren’t exactly peers.
Lora clapped her hands. “Wonderful, ladies. Let’s try it again from the top.”
They ran through the song again. It went much smoother this time, and Anna was able to enjoy being part of the performance, not merely trying to hold her own beside Eden. They practiced the duet several more times, fine-tuning vocals and blocking, before they called it a day.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled at Eden as they prepared to head out.
“You will. Goodbye, Anna.” Eden breezed toward the door, flanked by her entourage, and Anna could only watch in starry-eyed wonder.What a day.
CHAPTER THREE
Anna reached for her sunglasses as she and Kyrie headed for the door. Her stomach growled. She was starving. And exhausted, the kind of tired she usually felt after a full day of press, the kind of tired that came from being “on” for hours on end. Rehearsing with Eden had been amazing, but it had also taken a lot out of her.
Anna could hardly wait to get home. She wanted to sit and savor her favorite moments from the day, to remember the thrill of Eden smiling at her and how their voices sounded when they harmonized together. Actually, she wanted to gush about it with her best friend.
Hopefully Zoe was around. Anna and her formerHex Highcostar owned a duplex together in Montecito Heights. It was the perfect BFF arrangement, as far as Anna was concerned. They each had their own space, but they could still pop by and see each other whenever they wanted. Hollywood could be oddly isolating at times, and she was so glad to have Zoe nearby.
Kyrie held the door open for her as they stepped into the parking lot behind the studio. The buzz of a large group of people reached Anna’s ears a moment before she saw them. Eden was still here, surrounded by fans and even a few paparazzi. The fans were squealing and chattering as they shoved cell phones in her face and offeredthings to be autographed while the paparazzi snapped photos and shouted questions.
Before Anna could react, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Let’s go back inside,” a woman’s voice said. “Quickly.”
