Page 11 of The Stars Over Hollywood

Hayden’s extremely awkward on-screen kisses with guys over the years wasn’t because of the crew watching them or the director’s voice booming instructions across the set.

Those feeble attempts at dating through the years weren’t really because she was more focused on her career than dating.

She hadn’t wanted to date.

Because she’d never been interested in any of the guys she’d been set up with.

Hayden’s hand felt clammy as it slipped out of Tracy’s, the music thankfully moving into a more upbeat song, and she chose that moment to get away, to give herself some space.

“Thanks,” Hayden managed to say as she reached for her beer and strode across the grass in her sandals, using the light from her phone to guide her until she made it all the way down to where the ceremony was held, to where the water glistened underneath the glow of the moon.

The music was faint now, the waves drowning it out, and Hayden held onto the railing with one hand, the metal cool beneath her fingers.

Thoughts continued to bounce around her head. Was she bi? Was this just a side of herself that she hadn’t realized was there?

Hayden reached behind her head, sliding each bobby pin out of her hair and into her pocket, the tension of her updo starting to ache, and as she removed each one, she went back as far as she could remember, to school, to her friends, to her teachers.

She couldn’t honestly say that she’d ever been attracted to any of her male friends, to the guy she went to prom with or her best friend’s brother.

She had been drawn to a girl who’d been a year ahead of her in school, who’d gotten the lead in the play two years in a row, who had the most amazing voice and striking green eyes.

“Shit,” Hayden said with a loud exhale.

How had she not realized this?

She’d just assumed the role of ally, because she’d always had gay friends, especially since she came to Los Angeles.

She knocked back what was left of her beer and set it on the ground, running her hands through her hair as she leaned her arms against the railing, her heart still pounding in her chest.

Hayden didn’t even know what to think or how to feel.

Relieved?

Terrified?

Blindsided?

She didn’t have much time to think about it, because when she heard footsteps behind her, she sucked in a deep breath, knowing that Lara had seen it. She’d seen the moment that sent Hayden’s head spinning. And she’d want to talk about it. She was Hayden’s best friend, and she’d want to make sure that she was okay.

7

Tracy had watched Hayden walk away, mentally replaying the last few moments, wondering if she’d done something wrong.

“You should go after her,” Lara had said when Charlotte had gone back to her playlist and Ada shouted out a request over the music playing.

Tracy didn’t ask why. She took her time walking across the grass and finding the path that led down to the lookout.

Hayden’s back was to her, the rhythmic sound of the water hitting the rocks below rose up to meet her as she got to the bottom of the property, Hayden just a few feet away.

Her blond hair was down now, full of waves, the light breeze lifting it as she stared out across the water.

“Hey,” Tracy said softly, just loud enough to be heard as she closed the distance between them. “If you want to be left alone, I’ll go.”

Hayden turned, an eyebrow arched. “No. No, it’s okay. I just needed to get some air or something,” she added, her voice low.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Tracy stood beside her. Something had changed, but she wasn’t sure what or why. The easiness of yesterday, of spending the day in Marbella together, was gone.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” Hayden cleared her throat. “Just thinking through some things.”

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