Anna’s smile widened. “Like a duet?”
Eden hadn’t thought past a songwriting collaboration, but as soon as the word “duet” left Anna’s lips, she was nodding. “Yes. I love that idea. A duet about female empowerment, about being true to ourselvesin a world that wants us to fit a certain mold or sees us as nothing more than a pretty face.”
“Oh my God, yes! Let’s do it.”
They spent the next hour jotting notes, merging their lyrics, humming lines and melodies as they worked. This was the missing piece Eden had been searching for, the thing that might give this song the push from good togreat.
It was amazing how quickly it came together too. In what felt like no time at all, Eden had recorded them singing a full run-through of the completed song. When she played it back, they both leaned in close to her phone to listen.
“We sound good together,” Eden said.
“We do.” Anna looked up, and there were fresh tears on her cheeks. “This song is really powerful, and I know I’m not objective because I’m part of it, but it’s got the magic that made you a superstar, Eden.”
“You have it, too, you know,” Eden said. “That magic has you already nipping at my heels after only two years in the business.”
“Maybe, but part of the magic isus.”
Anna stepped behind Eden on the balcony off the master bedroom. She wrapped her arms around her, peering over Eden’s shoulder into the woods. “Hear me out.”
“Always,” Eden responded, relaxing into Anna’s embrace.
They’d spent the last two days on Eden’s property, going for daily hikes and picnics at the gazebo, followed by lazy afternoons bingingHow to Get Away with Murderand even more songwriting. Anna was having one of the best vacations of her life, but she also wanted to venture outside this haven Eden had built for herself.
“Let’s go somewhere,” Anna said. “Have a little adventure here in Vermont.”
“Sure.” Eden spun in Anna’s arms to face her. “I love driving around the area. There’s a really nice overlook not far from the house.”
“And I definitely want to see it, but I also want to go shopping or something, maybe explore that cute little town we drove through on our way here?”
Immediately, Eden tensed. “I don’t—”
Anna pressed a finger against her lips. “Hear me out, remember?”
Eden nodded.
“It’s not a secret that you own this house, right? I mean, the locals know you’re here.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure they do,” Eden said. “Although I haven’t met enough of them to confirm whatever suspicions they may have about the reclusive pop star who lives here.”
“And do they line up at your gate, trying to get a glimpse of you?”
Eden shook her head. “I’ve never seen anyone at the gate unless they’re making a delivery. It’s part of the reason I like it here. So much less nosy than the tourists in LA who buy those maps with the stars’ houses on them.”
“How do you think they’d react if you walked into a store?” Anna asked.
“I don’t know. I just ... you know how I feel about going out in public without Taylor for backup.” Right now, Taylor was at home in LA, thousands of miles away. Eden was truly on her own here in Vermont with Anna, a fact that was etched into the worry lines on her face.
“Here’s what I think would happen if you walked into a store here,” Anna said. “I think a lot of people won’t even recognize you. Some will, especially if you’re with me. We’ve gotten a fair amount of press together this year, and two celebrities are always more recognizable than one.”
“Always,” Eden echoed.
“But even if a few people ask for autographs or pictures, that’s not a big deal, is it?”
“No,” Eden said, but she still looked uncomfortable.
“What happened in Chicago won’t happen here. There aren’t that many people, for one thing. We were in one of the most popular tourist spots in the country when we got mobbed in Millennium Park. I’m thinking the local country store will be a much quieter experience.”
“I guess you’re right.”
