“I’ve missed talking to you, though,” he said. “We said we’d stay friends, and then we sort of fell out of touch. I guess that’s partly my fault, because I felt guilty for gushing about Hallie when you didn’t ... well, you hadn’t found someone yet.”
“I think that’s why I pulled away, too ... so I wouldn’t have to hear about her. Not because I’m jealous, but because it made me feel lonely.”
“I’m sorry.” He sounded pained.
“You have nothing to apologize for, and actually ... I was calling today to tell you that I’m seeing someone.” Now her heart was pounding. She was pretty sure he’d take it well, but on the heels of her conversation with her parents, her emotions were raw.
“That’s fantastic,” Zach exclaimed, and she could hear the smile in his voice. “Tell me about him.”
“Her,” Eden whispered as her skin flushed hot. “I’m seeing Anna Moss. I’m ... in love with her, actually.”
There was a beat of silence that seemed to last a lifetime.
“Well, wow ... I’m ... you know, I’m not as surprised by that as I probably should be,” he said, and she flinched, unsure how to take his words. “That’s wonderful, Eden. I’m happy for you, and you’re in love with her? That’s great. Really great.”
“Yeah?” She blew out a breath and unclenched her fists, realizing suddenly how tense she’d been while she waited for his response.
“Isn’t this the same woman who’s opening for you on tour right now?”
She let out a shaky laugh. “Yes.”
“Guess you’ve been having a wild time on the road.” He chuckled. “Good for you. You deserve it. I did wonder sometimes ...”
“Wondered what?”
“Sometimes we’d be at a party together, and I felt like we were both appreciating the beautiful women in the room, that’s all.”
She gasped. “No!”
“It’s not a judgment, Eden, just an observation. Love is love and all that. I just want you to be happy.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” she whispered, dumbfounded that he’d known—or suspected—before she had.
“Say what, ‘Hey, gorgeous bride of mine, do you prefer women?’ No, I figured you’d tell me if you wanted me to know, and honestly, it wasn’t something I really thought about, more of a hazy idea at the back of my mind.”
“I didn’t know,” she told him in a rush. “I didn’t know I was gay when we were married.”
“Well, I’m glad you figured it out now, and hey, I get it. Women are sexy as hell.” He laughed, and she felt her cheeks go hot, but she was laughing too. “Would it be weird for me to invite you and Anna to dinner with Hallie and me once you’re back in LA?”
“No, and I’d love that.We’dlove that.”
She hung up the phone a few minutes later with a smile on her face. Coming out was exhausting and stressful, and yet ... it felt validating even when it was hard. She felt settled in her relationship with Anna now, confident that they were in it for the long haul. Was it time for them to go public?
Certainly she’d face some backlash when she did, but the media had always looked for negative things to say about her, and she’d never let it deter her from being true to herself in the past. Maybe she’d even help some of her fans who were looking for the courage to come out.
#Edannachatter online continued to increase. Eden had peeked at the hashtag a few times, and she felt a secret thrill to know that so many of their fans wanted to see her and Anna as a couple. She could only imagine their excitement once they learned they were right.
Tomorrow, Eden and Anna would fly to Miami for the final performances on the US leg of the tour. Tomorrow night, Eden was throwing a party at their hotel for the crew and other VIP guests to celebrate the end of this leg of the tour. And maybe it was time for her and Anna towalk in together and announce their relationship to the world. Eden wanted that. She wanted to kiss Anna onstage and watch the crowd go wild. She wanted to stop sneaking Anna into her room and officially share accommodations on the European leg of the tour.
Eden was ready, but was Anna?
Paris knocked at the door. Eden had back-to-back interviews scheduled for the rest of the day, and so did Anna, so they wouldn’t see each other today. She had a lot to discuss with Anna during the flight tomorrow. Her stomach fizzed with anticipation as she walked to the door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
On Thursday morning, hours before they were scheduled to fly to Miami for the last two performances of the American leg of the tour, Kyrie stopped by Anna’s room with coffee. “I heard you and Eden might be sharing a room once we get to Europe?”
“Where did you hear that?” Anna sipped her coffee and frowned.