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“But firstly, I am so sorry about your parents. That isn’t fair to you at all, and I pray that one day they will come around.”

“Thank you. I do, too.”

“So,” Fallon leaned back in her seat, sipping on her wine, “you and Skylar back together. How does that make you feel?”

Elena giggled as her smile spread wide across her face.

“That’s all the answer I needed,” Fallon teased. “I’m happy for you, Elena. You deserve someone great, and it’s obvious that Skylar makes you happy.”

“She does.”

“So, how are you going to navigate this?” Classic Fallon, cutting right to the chase. “I haven’t seen any news about you two, so I’m assuming it’s not public knowledge.”

“It’s not.”

“Ahh.”

“We talked about it, and we want to wait until after the tour. It’ll overshadow it if we don’t.”

Fallon nodded. “I get that. My movie that came out right after I did tanked because the press was all on me and my personal life, so I respect the decision to wait.”

“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?”

“But be careful.” Fallon’s voice was firm but kind. “The world is so different now. Everyone with a phone is a paparazzi whether they intend that or not. One photo taken without your knowledge can be posted online and spread around the world with any narrative while you’re completely unaware the picture was even taken.”

Elena winced as she remembered the exact situation Fallon had been in last year.

“I know you’re careful, but you’ll have to be even more careful if you want to protect your peace with Skylar.”

“See, here’s the thing.” Elena hadn’t said the words she was about to say out loud yet. “I think I’m ready to make it public.”

“Holy shit.”

“My exact reaction.”

“This is huge, Elena. Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“Well, hell yeah. I’m proud of you.”

“I haven’t talked it over with Skylar yet, but I definitely want to do it after the tour. I think it’s the right call to wait, but I definitely don’t want to wait too long.”

“Yeah, the longer you wait, the longer you have to keep it a secret.”

Elena nodded. “Exactly. And I don’t want to wait.”

“I’m here for you every step of the way, my friend.”

“Thanks. I’ll need you for sure.”

With the big news out of the way, Elena was relieved to settle into a comfortable conversation with Fallon as they ate their meal. They caught up on their lives and their respective tours, and their dating lives. Fallon admitted she was in a dry spell and wondering if she’d ever meet someone worth her time.

“Maybe I need to come to the Cove and find someone,” Fallon joked as they left the restaurant.

They smiled at the small group of paparazzi that were outside the restaurant as they made their way into the waiting limousine. Fallon had arranged the limo for them, and Elena had to admit she loved it. She felt extremely fancy as she sipped on champagne and rode to the venue in style.

When they arrived at the venue, Elena led Fallon to Skylar’s tour bus and knocked. On the other side of the door, she hears Skylar say, “It’s open.”