Page 98 of Stars Collide

“If we shower together, we can lie here another ten minutes.”

“I love the way you think.” Eden reached for Anna’s hand, obsessed with the way the ring looked on her finger and how it felt against her own fingers as she clasped them with Anna’s.

“Do you want me to wear it tonight?” Anna asked, following her gaze. “Should we make it red carpet official?”

“That’s up to you, but I vote yes. I want the whole world to know we’re getting married.” Overall, coming out for Eden had been a nonevent. The media had been more interested in her relationship with Anna than in discussing her sexuality, which was exactly what she had wanted. She’d received a few hurtful comments—as was to be expected—but for the most part, everyone loved that#Edannawas real, so Eden saw no reason to delay sharing their news.

“Me too. Let’s do it.” Anna rolled to the side, reaching for the box she’d brought into the bedroom, the gift from her parents. “You didn’t tell them about this ahead of time, did you?”

“No. As much as I love your parents, I didn’t ask for your hand in marriage. I’ve never understood that tradition.”

“Me either. So this isn’t our first engagement gift, then. Let’s see what it is.” She sat up and slid a finger under the flap to loosen the tape. Inside the shipping box was another box, this one white and unmarked. Anna opened it to reveal one of her father’s model boats. “Oh,” she said, lifting the boat out of the box.

It was a sleek sailboat with a white hull, and Eden’s heart warmed to think that Anna’s dad had made it for them. Now that they were engaged, her mind had already started spinning ahead to buying a house together, because neither Anna’s duplex nor her condo really suited them as a couple. They needed their own home, and this would be perfect on the mantel.

Anna had told her once that she’d always wanted to own one of the beachfront houses that ran up the California coastline, and Eden couldn’t think of anything more perfect, especially if they managed to find a house on a private beach where Eden could dip her toes in the ocean without being mobbed by paparazzi.

“Look.” Anna turned the boat to the side so that its name was visible, printed in blocky blue letters.EDANNA.

“Oh my God.” Eden started to laugh. “That’s amazing.”

Anna grinned. “It’s a ship.Ourship. Did my dad just use the fandom term correctly?”

“I think he did. Your dad is legendary.”

“He is indeed.”

Anna was about to burst out of her skin. Beside her, Eden looked as serene as ever in a sleek white dress, although Anna knew by now that she was likely freaking out on the inside. On the stage before them, the announcer had begun to read the nominees for Best Pop Duo / Group Performance. This was both Anna’s and Eden’s only nomination of the night, as neither of them had put out a new album last year, having spent most of it on tour.

But they’d released one single together last September ... their duet. “Turbulent” had become an instant hit, rocketing to the top of the charts and inspiring an outpouring of love and support from their fans, who were enamored with its empowering message.

Anna looked down at her hand, which was clasped in Eden’s. The diamonds winked in the glare of the camera hovering in front of them. They hadn’t even made it off the red carpet before#Edanna is engaged!was trending on social media, accompanied by a photo of Eden kissing her as she held Anna’s hand toward the cameras.

“And the Grammy goes to ...”

Anna’s breath caught. No matter what happened tonight, they were both winners. Anna had won several Billboard Music Awards last fall and was about to release a new album that promised to cement her status as an adult artist. But she still didn’t have a Grammy ...

“Eden Sands and Anna Moss for ‘Turbulent’!”

The camera moved in for a close-up as Eden leaned over to give her a quick kiss, beaming at Anna before she tugged her to her feet. Anna couldn’tfeelher feet. She felt like she was walking on air as Eden guided her down the aisle and onto the stage, where a shiny gold gramophone was pressed into her hands.

Anna’s vision went hazy, and she looked desperately to Eden for guidance. Eden was gazing at her with so much love, so muchpride, it took Anna’s breath away. When she looked down at the Grammycradled in her arms, the diamond ring on her finger shone brightly beside it.What a day ...

Eden stepped up to the podium, as composed as Anna was speechless. “Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this award possible for us tonight, especially Stella Pascual, Paris Kemsley, and the rest of my team. It’s an honor to be recognized for a song that’s so deeply personal to me, a song I wrote with the woman I love. This one’s for everyone out there who’s been through turbulent times.”

She turned, kissing Anna on the cheek as she nudged her toward the podium. Anna stepped beside her, staring out into the arena full of peers and legends, a group she hadn’t felt worthy of standing before last year. Tonight, she did.

“Thank you,” she spoke, her voice trembling. “Thank you for believing in the queer pop star who wears rainbows on her clothes and makes rainbows with her music. I’ve dreamed of this moment my whole life and can’t quite believe I’m standing here now, let alone accepting my first Grammy beside the woman who inspired me to chase my dreams. Eden, you’re my idol and my everything, and I’m stunned that I get to share this moment with you.”

She turned to smile at Eden, her vision sparkling with the tears in her lashes. Then she faced the crowd again. “Mom, Dad, John, thank you for always believing in me. Kyrie and David, I couldn’t have done it without you. To all the fans, I love you more than you could possibly know.” She held the Grammy over her head, grinning. “Edanna forever!”

Music began to play, ushering them off the stage, and Anna flung her arms around Eden, spinning her in a giddy circle. Today really was the best day ever. They walked offstage, where an usher waited to take them to the pressroom.

Anna gazed down at her award as she walked, stumbling into Eden in her distraction. Eden snaked an arm around her waist to steady her.The rhinestone accent on Anna’s dress snagged in the chiffon on Eden’s, anchoring them together, just like that moment at the Grammys last year. Anna’s brain sparked. “I think I just titled our next duet.”

Eden smiled at her. “Oh yeah?”

Anna nodded breathlessly. “Stars collide.”