Page 91 of Seeking Stars
Ana's posture relaxed as she sighed. She shook her head and took a step toward him, kissing him softly.
"I'm sorry I didn't remember. You mentioned your birthday was coming soon, once in passing, and I totally forgot."
"It's fine. I'm more disappointed that I have to leave at all, to be honest."
She nodded. She went for their mugs of coffee, gave him his, took his free hand in hers, and led him to the sofa.
"Why didn't you tell me about the birthday party today?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I kept getting distracted. I imagine it's going to take some planning to figure out."
"How come?"
"I don't know… the group shouldn't be that big, but it's probably more people than you'd be comfortable with. I don't know how they're going to react to you, I mean."
"I see."
"I think my friends are pretty cool and would be okay, but then Christina also invited a few other people, and at least some of them are coming with their partners. I don't know them all. I don't know—"
"What are you afraid could happen?"
"That they'd accost you— ruin the fun for you somehow. I know I have to share you, in a way, with the fans," she said. "But maybe not this weekend."
"Do you think they would? If it's a small group, I would like to think they'd just be awkward, maybe take some pictures… but maybe it being a casual get-together will act as a cushion."
"I hope that's how it's going to be, but I'm not sure and that's the scary thing."
He frowned. "I'd like to know your friends, you know. I don't want to be hidden—"
"Oh, no, I'm sorry— that's not how I mean it—"
"—and be separate from your life."
"I don't want you to feel that way," she said, squeezing his hand in hers.
"If we're invested in our relationship, then it makes sense for me to meet your people."
"Of course. I want you to be a part of my life."
He remained silent. "I don't know what a situation like that is going to be like— it's new for me, too."
"And you're willing to go for it? As an adventure?"
While she was surprised that he would consider it, he seemed surprised that she thought he wouldn't.
"Yeah. Whatever happens, we'll deal with it."
She blinked at him. She needed to rewire this doubt of hers, and learn what Liam had shown her so clearly over the past few weeks: once he knew what he wanted, he made it known and, even if he never asked, he always went for it.
"Let's try it out, then. It'll be fun."
***
Ana texted Ely and then Christina to confirm she could bring a plus one to the party. Instead of name-dropping Liam, Ana sent a gif from one of his movies. Christina said yes and sent her a gif back to show her excitement, followed by the statement that she wouldn't tell anyone; that she wanted to shock them all.
Ely opened the door for them at Christina's house. Ely hugged Ana, then Liam. "It's nice to see you both again!"
Hand in hand, Liam and Ana entered Christina's townhouse and stood in front of her scattered friends. Ana's stomach rolled with nerves.
