Page 65 of Seeking Stars
"I hope you know," she said, "if I'm conflicted it is because I do feel it, too."
She kissed his cheek and let go of his hand, going back to simply standing by his side. She looked up at him, the breeze moving a strand of her hair across her face.
With a sigh, he reached up to put the hair back behind her ear.
"Okay," he said.
He'd have to wait, then.
Chapter 16 - Rumble
Ana woke up to multiple texts from Ely.
Ely: what happened??? Did something happen??? #mcana is on fire
Ely's messages included a bunch of screenshots: a group of paparazzi had taken pictures of them while they waited for their car, with scandalous captions suggesting the very things she had been afraid of. One of them included her kissing his cheek while they held hands. Another screenshot showed higher quality pictures of them dancing at the party; these were official press releases, and they included the moment when he rested his forehead on hers. A final screenshot collected a few comments on the hashtag, where three out of five comments were negative towards her.
"Crap!"
One moment together in front of people. She'd weakened for just one dance, and it had been enough to push her into the mess. She thought they'd been alone while waiting for their car.
Ana: I made a huge mistake. I thought it'd be fine. I was so focused on Liam and I didn't see anyone on the street. What am I going to do?
Just as she pressedsend, her phone rang in her hand. Diana's direct number flashed on her screen.
"Crap. Crap. Crap." Ana pressed the green button on her screen and answered. "Hello, Diana."
"Hello, Ana. We need to talk."
"Sure." She sat up on the bed. "What's up?"
"I hope you know what's up. Did you see what's going on online?"
"You mean, the rumors about Liam and I?"
"Yes, I mean what they're saying about you and Mr. McMillan. I saw the picture of you and him outside and I warned you— people are going to think you two are together. You kissing his face isn't helping the situation."
Ana winced. "Yes, well. We're not together."
"Good!" Diana let out a small chuckle. "It's not that I don't get it. His level of fame may seem very alluring to you right now and, though these pics are good publicity, I promise you it won't last. I wouldn't risk a fling with McMillan. You'll pay the price, and who knows what Coulton will say. I'd rather you pursue Joel Thornton. He would still help you climb the ladder, help you network, and he's very handsome too… but poses a much more manageable risk for you."
"Right." Ana bit back a groan. "You're worried about this backfiring."
"It's my job to keep track of these things. I'm trying to mentor you and set you up for the career you deserve. The tabloids and blogs and Mr. McMillan's rabid fans will try to destroy you and, though it's a good thing to get your name out there… I don't know that we're at a place where you can withstand the storm."
"I hear that."
Yeah, she got where Diana was coming from. Ana had thought about that, too, hadn't she? She worried about the varied angles where things could go wrong. Still, hearing Diana name some of her fears out loud filled her blood with lead.
"Great. If Mr. Thornton calls, answer, okay? And I'll get a PR rep involved to see if there's anything we can do."
Ana doubted she'd answer the phone if Joel called, but she didn't think Diana would like to hear that. "Let me know what the PR rep says."
"For sure. Call me if you need to chat, okay?"
"Okay."
"Talk to you later."
