Page 76 of Seeking Stars
She laughed. "I mean, you could. I say that to Ely all the time."
"Right. I guess Logan and I never quite got to that level."
"But you're hoping to with me?"
"Exactly. The way I see it, if you're okay with quick catch ups while I'm away, I think that'll be doable even with my ridiculous schedule. And we can text a lot, as if we just kept our conversation going. I've never really tried something like that, but… we can see what happens."
"And seeing each other?"
He sighed. "I'm counting on managing with a couple of days at a time in between projects. It's not ideal, but until my contracts slow down, I don't know what else to do."
She nodded, biting her lips. "You've been thinking about it."
"Of course. Every minute since you left. I want to do everything I can."
She nodded again.
"Maybe after I'm back from the tour I can escape for a weekend," he added. "We can meet somewhere."
"Yeah, that sounds good."
"So are we on the same page? You want to see where this goes? You and me?" His voice had been clear and open, comfortable with the vulnerable conversation. She admired that of him, how often he could unlock and say what he felt.
"Yes. I want that, too."
"Then this can work." He frowned. "One more thing. Are you worried about what they're going to say?"
"Who?"
"The paps. Fans. TCA."
"Yes."
"Is there any way I can make this easier on you?"
"I don't know, but I'd like us to work it out together."
"Deal."
***
Over the next several days, Ana found a comforting rhythm of communication with Liam. They texted and sent pictures to each other and, if Liam could find any 5 minutes all to himself, he called her. They'd decided that since his schedule held the most strain, packed with being dragged around for interviews, he would be the one to try to reach out whenever he could. Whenever Ana was free to answer, she would.
Perhaps because they had spent a month talking before doing anything about their feelings, it had been effortless to switch from face-to-face to phone. They talked about anything and everything, as if they were still at the cabin at the beach, and often their calls ended with one of them saying that they wished they were together, again.
Liam called her one night when she went out for dinner with Ely, Christina, and Maggie. She went out to the street and took the call. They laughed about how he'd been so tired he'd almost tripped on his way to his hotel room, how he had lost track of time and space after countless junket interviews, but he thought he was in Edinburgh because he really liked the view from his window. His brain had stopped working properly, too fried and too bored to know for sure. They held the call while he prepared for bed after a party he hadn't wanted to attend and she kept him company until he fell asleep, all of 15 minutes after starting the call.
She returned to her table with a smile on her face.
"Someone's smitten," Maggie said. "That had to be the call of someone you're seeing. Those heart eyes are broadcasting it."
"It was… someone I'm kinda seeing, yes." Ana's breath quickened; she wasn't prepared to tell anyone else but Ely about Liam yet.
"Give us details," Christina demanded. "First you fail to let us know you'll be working with Liam Mc-Frigging-Millan— thank you for that,again—
"— I didn't tell you on purpose because of the privacy clauses in the contract—"
Christina continued without acknowledging Ana's words. "—then you ask us to make no comment and to ask no questions about him or the project when you returned—"
