Page 17 of Holding Her Heart

Aster quirked an eyebrow. “That woman doesn’t give a shit, does she?”

Dom swigged her beer, her arm landing around Blair’s shoulder. “She really doesn’t.”

“Less talk of Fi would be amazing.” Blair gave them both a knowing look. “Touchy subject.”

“Right. Yes.” Aster couldn’t help herself, her eyes flitting to Eden. “Didn’t think you’d be here. You don’t usually come to team night.”

“No, you’re right.” Eden crossed her gorgeous long legs, her thigh exposed as her dress sat perfectly in place. “But Blair insisted I joined you all, so here I am.” Eden turned her palms up as if she was presenting herself as a gift. And she was. The greatest gift.

“Well, it’s great that you’re here.” And that was the truth. Two nights in one weekend with Eden…Aster was spoilt.

Eden simply smiled, lowering her head as she swirled her whiskey in the glass. Aster took that as her cue to mind her own business, so she would do precisely that.

“I’m just…going to mingle.”

* * *

Eden returned to her seat, breathless as Blair flopped down beside her. “I’m not sure this is the kinda place that expects dancing.”

Blair placed a hand to her chest. “We’re the only ones in here. I’m sure they can suck it up.”

Eden took her bottle of water from the table, finishing the half she’d left earlier in seconds. It had been so long since she’d been out dancing, Blair wasn’t around for those evenings anymore. But this…it felt normal. Dom didn’t hang off Blair all night, and Blair didn’t pine for her when they were speaking to other people. “You know, I thought maybe I could call through the week…”

“I’d love it if you would.”

“I thought I’d get in the way, I don’t suppose you and Dom want to be disturbed, but you two seem to be able to separate for five minutes.”

“We’re not glued together, love. We do have lives, and friends, away from one another.”

Did they? So why didn’t Blair call more often?

“Still.” Eden shrugged. “I don’t like to show up unannounced.”

Blair ran her hands through her hair. “I wish you would. At least then I’d know what was going on in my best friend’s life.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.”

Blair rested her head on Eden’s shoulder. “Have you decided what you’re going to do about Liam?”

“I have to end it.” Eden had no doubt about that in her mind. There was no use in being with someone for the sake of it. And if she were being honest, breaking up with him meant she wouldn’t have to worry about the incessant calls and messages. “I have my work to focus on. And I’m going to have to be on standby for Aster while she finds her feet in the team.” Since Blair seemed to struggle with the knowledge that they were friends, Eden would use the colleague theory instead.

“Be on standby?”

“Be there if she needs me. I know she doesn’t show it when she’s with you lot, you’re her friends, but her confidence is on the floor when it comes to her work.”

“It is?”

Eden nodded. “Her work is incredible, Blair. But she shrugs it off and blushes if I compliment her on it. I want everyone around to see how talented she is.”

“That sounds awfully nice of you.”

The look in Blair’s eye didn’t go unnoticed by Eden, but she was barking up the wrong tree. No, she’s not. You know she sees right through you!

“It’s called women empowering women.” Eden offered her best friend a knowing look. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you lately, but that comment you made this morning at the football wasn’t cool.”

“About Aster?”

“Yes.”

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