“Thank you,” Anna whispered. “See? You’re amazing, and I overreacted. Can I call David back right now and tell him to undo it?”
“I don’t think we’re there yet, to be honest.” Eden looked up at the ceiling, trying to gather her thoughts. “Because I still don’t understand why you backed out of the tour. I understand why you were upset with me, but why didn’t you just talk to me? Why go behind my back like this? I felt so blindsided when Stella called ... like I’d misread our entire relationship.”
“I just ... I felt like we could never be on equal footing when you had this power over me. If I wanted to walk away, you could sue me, and that’s terrifying.”
Eden exhaled. “Okay. Wow. I would never use our tour contract against you because we had a fight, and if you were worried about that ... Anna, you should havetoldme. If you’d asked, we could have voided your contract and drafted up a new one.”
“Really? You would do that for me?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to work out a new contract that gives you flexibility to walk at any point with no penalty ... or whatever it takes to give you equal footing in our relationship. I care so much less about the tour than I do about you, Anna.”
“And those are the words Camille never said,” Anna breathed.
“I’m not her. You have to stop comparing us if this is going to work.”
“I know.” Anna sucked in a deep breath and blew it out, facing Eden. “You’re right, and I’ll do my best to stop if you’ll give me another chance. Please forgive me for overreacting tonight. I couldn’t bear it if this was the end for us, Eden. You’re the love of my life.”
Eden’s eyes overflowed, tears blazing hot trails over her cheeks, washing away the last of her hurt feelings. “And you are mine. Of course I forgive you. Couples fight. And I meant everything I just said about that new contract. I’ll give you whatever you need to feel like an equal in our relationship.”
Anna nodded, grinning and sobbing at the same time. “I want that new contract. I want to go to Europe with you, and I want to kiss you onstage tomorrow night in front of everyone.”
“Even Camille?” Eden asked. “You said she’ll be at the show, right?”
“I doubt it, actually. I called her just now and basically told her to fuck off. But even if she still comes tomorrow ... I’m finished giving her power over my life.”
Eden reached for her, clenching Anna’s hands in hers. “Then let’s do it.”
Anna smoothed a hand over the embroidered green skirt of her dress. It was the same dress she’d worn during their Grammy performance, the performance—and the dress—that had started it all. And now, she’d wear it for another new beginning.
She slipped into place behind the barrier onstage as Eden began to sing “After Midnight.” Happy tears filled Anna’s eyes as she listened to Eden sing. This morning, she and Eden had had a conference call with David and Stella. They’d hammered out the details for a new contract for Anna, one that gave her the flexibility she needed to have control of her situation.
As Eden had cheekily informed her, she no longer needed Anna to boost her own popularity. Eden was back on top of the charts and breaking her own records. Anna’s numbers were better than they’d ever been too. Together, they’d lifted each other up, boosting each other to their best year yet.
Camille had contacted Kyrie to say she wouldn’t be attending tonight’s show. She was currently on a plane, headed back to LA. Perhaps, after Anna had unleashed on her last night, she’d finally gotten the message that they were finished.
“But after midnight ...”
On her cue, Anna stepped out from behind Eden. She turned to face her, and for just a moment, Eden’s stage face broke. She grinned at Anna with unbridled happiness before returning to character. They sang, moving around each other with the practiced ease of two people who’d done this almost every night for the past three months.
When the song ended, Eden pulled her into her arms the way she did every night. Then they turned to face the crowd. The fans were on their feet and screaming with enthusiasm. Anna saw at least threeEDANNA4EVERsigns. She and Eden waved to the crowd before turning toward each other.
Eden lowered her microphone, staring into Anna’s eyes. “Sure you want to do this?” she mouthed.
Anna nodded, breathless with anticipation.
Eden leaned in, pressing her lips to Anna’s, and the resulting roar from the crowd almost knocked her off her feet. What started as a peck on the lips soon turned into a real kiss, both of them spurred on by the electricity of the crowd, which was now chanting “E-dann-ah! E-dann-ah!”
Eden’s hands rested on Anna’s hips as she kissed her slowly and thoroughly, and Anna was melting in the very best way. Her eardrums throbbed with the noise of the crowd. She was so happy. So alive. So in love.
Finally, Eden lifted her head, giving Anna a somewhat dazed grin. “I love you.”
Anna could barely hear her over the screams from the audience. “Love you more.”
She turned to the crowd and gave them a dramatic bow, which drew even louder shrieks in response.EDANNAsigns bounced energetically over people’s heads. Anna saw tears on several women’s smiling faces.
Anna felt tears of joy on her own cheeks. Then she spun to give Eden another kiss before she left the stage. She could hardly wait to kiss her again after the encore ... and for the rest of their lives.
EPILOGUE
