Page 16 of Seeking Stars
He finally lifted his eyes to hers again, a small smile on his lips. "Let's agree we're both pushing our luck here."
She smiled in return, and they finished their brunch avoiding the topic and chatting about the city instead.
***
Ana flew back to Illinois that afternoon, after an awkward goodbye to Liam by the restaurant. She left her incessant mental review of the weekend on the plane, and called Ely to give her the news upon arriving at her place.
"Hey, Ely," Ana said to her phone. She lay on her bed, already relishing the opportunity to shock her friend with her news.
"Hey, Ana! I guess you're not too famous yet for your old neighborhood friends?"
"Not yet, but I can't make any promises for the future," Ana teased. "Hey, I know it's late, but what are we up to tomorrow? Happy pre-birthday!"
"Thank you! Well, I thought eating out with my besties would suffice. What time would work for you?"
"Sometime in the evening. After four, I'm guessing. I don't have to do a lot tomorrow, but I will be waiting for documents to sign for my new project." She stretched on the bed, an expectant smile taking over her face.
"Wait. Is it happening?! Are you working with Liam the Hottest Man Alive Friggin' McMillan?!"
"Yes!" Ana laughed. "We agreed to it this morning over breakfast."
"No, oh my God, seriously?! You're on having-casual-brunch-on-a-Sunday terms with Liam McFuckingMillan?!"
"I guess you could say that."
"I can't with this, Ana. From this moment onwards, be assured of my endless jealousy."
Ana turned to her side, grabbing a pillow for comfort. "I wish I could pack you in my suitcase."
"I'm short enough that we could possibly make it work."
"You're not that short. Then we have some small issues like food and pee breaks."
"Sure, keep him all to yourself, then. Unless he's coming to my birthday dinner tomorrow?"
"Ha ha, no."
"Bummer. Are you going to LA, then? How's it gonna work? Tell me everything."
Ana bit her lip, her grin still in place. "I'm flying to LA on Friday and then… well, you'll never guess," she started, but stopped in the middle of the sentence to make Ely suffer. She only continued once Ely had growled her displeasure on the phone. With a smirk, Ana added, "I'm going to stay at his place, Ely. In LA. Then we're going on a road trip, I don't even know where."
"What?! What?! I can't, I honestly can't. I can't breathe."
"I love you, Ely. This is making you sound like we're sixteen again."
"Maybe it's part of an early middle-age crisis…?" The question had ended on a high, long note, as if Ely herself had her doubts.
Ana laughed. "You're turning 27. This is not a mid-life crisis."
"Right. Also, not important. What's important is that you're going to be in close contact with Liam McMillan for what, three weeks? Four? And at least part of it will happen within the intimate, close-quarters confines of a car. Like, your elbows might touch. And I already know you'll refuse to send me pictures."
"I've never sent you pictures of my documentary people. Why would I send you one of Liam? At least not without his consent. I'm going to learn a lot of private stuff about him and it would be unprofessional if I—"
"Ugh, you're torturing me.Liam, she says, like they're best friends. When should I come to help you pack?"
"Help me pack? Why?"
"Because you need to plan what you're taking with you, of course. We've thirsted over him for years, and you're going to be spending plenty of quality time with him. There are going to be many opportunities for a wild night and—"
