Page 18 of Holding Her Heart

“You may not see it, love,” Blair paused, leaning in closer to Eden, “but I see the way she looks at you. You may be her boss, and she may know you’re off limits, but that doesn’t mean she can’t look and dream about what she could have.”

“I-I don’t—”

Blair held up her hand. “She’s into you. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Eden’s heart fluttered a little more than she would have liked. Blair saying things like that only complicated her feelings further. Nothing good would come from thinking about Aster as anything other than her employee. “I’m straight, in case you forgot.”

“And I know that…but I’m only saying. Be careful. You’ve no idea the effect you straight women have on a lesbian with a crush.”

“Us straight women?” Eden asked, incredulously. “Don’t blame me for someone else being attracted to me. I can’t help it.”

Blair lay a gentle hand over Eden’s, squeezing lightly. “That’s not what I’m saying. But you going out drinking with her and having her take you home…it could give her the wrong impression.”

Had she given Aster the wrong impression? Not likely. Eden was very good at hiding how she felt.

“Then I’ll make sure I don’t touch her up, that should do the trick.” Eden rolled her eyes, getting to her feet. “I’m going to the bar. Another wine?”

“Yes, please.”

Eden crossed the short distance to the bar, blowing out a deep breath while nobody was around. Dom chatted with Mia, Blair took in the sight of the rest of the team dancing, and Eden…well, she was the epitome of confused. How had Blair noticed things she hadn’t? Or was it a case of her best friend getting her wires crossed? She approached the bar, pleased to find Aster waiting for her own order.

She kept her distance, her eyes landing on Aster’s profile. Her blonde hair was pulled to one side, once again exposing that neckline Eden struggled to forget. But then Eden overheard Aster asking the bartender for her number, unexpected jealousy rolling through her. She backed away a little more, not wanting to be seen as eavesdropping.

Aster caught sight of Eden in the mirrored wall behind the bar, separating from the bartender as she did so. “Oh, hey. Can I get you another drink?”

“No, thank you.” Eden held up a hand. “Don’t let me interrupt you.”

“Oh, we were only talking. I needed a breather before someone dragged me back onto the dance floor. I’ll grab my order and then the bar is all yours.”

“Really, there’s no rush.” Eden felt awkward. She also no longer wanted to be standing there but walking away could be considered odd…or rude. “I’ll use the bathroom and come back in a few.”

Aster smiled. “Cool. Okay.”

As Eden walked away, Aster called her back.

“Are you ready for later?” Aster asked. “The singing starts in forty minutes. You’re in for a treat.”

“Why is that?” Eden’s forehead creased.

“You’ll have the pleasure of hearing the entire team screaming the words to Bohemian Rhapsody very out of tune on karaoke.”

Eden’s eyebrows rose with surprise. “Karaoke?”

“Yep. So, I’d get the drinks in now before we all get kicked out after the first song.”

“I…didn’t know this place had karaoke.”

“Oh, we do. But we haven’t had anyone in with a decent voice in a long time, so maybe it could be considered wailing rather than karaoke,” the bartender cut in. “Every bar usually has at least one good singer. But not this place.”

“Mm. Well, I’m sure the team will sound great.”

Eden turned and headed in the direction of the bathroom. One or two players tried to catch her hand as she rushed past the dance floor, but she made it inside unscathed. Now, her only issue was the beautiful woman at the bar. Oh, Aster. I do wish you hadn’t come into my life.

* * *

Aster dried her hands on a paper towel, checking her hair in the mirror while she had a moment to herself in the bathroom. Several girls on the team had expressed their desire to come here again, something Aster hadn’t expected. At least here, she didn’t have to worry about catching a cold sore from the glasses.

Her mind instantly wandered to Eden. Was she enjoying herself? She was hard to read; Aster had come to realise that since this morning. They’d had a lovely night last night—Eden talking freely about everything Aster put to her—but today was different. Stilted. Awkward. Aster didn’t know what she’d done wrong. Maybe she could check in with Eden before the end of the night. It wouldn’t hurt.

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