Page 20 of Holding Her Heart

“Hey, I’m getting some air.” Aster eyed Mia as she pushed Blair’s patio door open, stepping out and closing it quietly.

She didn’t know how the entire team had ended up back at Blair’s, but Aster was impressed. The house Blair and Dom had was everyone’s dream home. Yes, Aster knew how Blair had acquired it, but wow…it was amazing. And as incredible as it was, she didn’t suppose Blair wanted to go through divorce proceedings to get it. From what she’d heard, Blair had been through hell with her ex-husband.

She rested her forearms against the railing around the decking, looking out at the clear night sky. The stars were breathtaking tonight, but Aster’s heart wasn’t quite where it needed to be. Honestly, she wanted to call a cab and go home. It would be better for her sanity if nothing else.

All night, she’d gravitated towards Eden. From the moment she stepped foot inside the bar, Aster had struggled. Add in the voice of an angel, and Aster was completely lost for words. She’d never met anyone quite like Eden. She had a quiet presence, but one that had the power to make your knees tremble when she looked at you in a particular kind of way. And lately, Aster was only seeing that look. It was her mind working overtime—Eden wouldn’t ever contemplate someone like her—but for a brief second this evening, she felt one hell of a connection. Unfortunately, it was only getting worse.

It’s all in your head.

Aster gritted her teeth, clasping her hands behind her neck. “Shit!”

“Oh dear. What did you do?” Blair’s voice travelled low through the air before she came to stop beside Aster.

“What?”

“You seem…bothered.”

“Blair, is there something you’d like to say to me?” Aster straightened, turning to face Eden’s best friend. The other woman was significantly taller, but she wasn’t intimidated. “You’ve been making sly comments all night, and I really don’t know what I’ve done to upset you.”

“How long?” Blair cocked her head, smiling gently. There was no denying that Blair Harrington was incredibly beautiful, but Aster was tired of all the stunning women around her. She only paled in comparison.

“How long what?”

Blair rolled her eyes, folding her arms. “How long have you been attracted to my best friend?”

“I-I…”

“Please, don’t deny it. I’m not stupid.”

Aster pulled her shoulders back. “I’m not attracted to her. She’s my boss, and we’re friends. That’s all.”

Blair took Aster by the elbow, moving out of earshot of the door. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Aster. I like you, you’re super lovely, but Eden is straight. You do realise that, don’t you?”

“Of course I know she’s straight. I’m not as stupid as I obviously look.”

“I’ve been watching you all night. Nobody has ever looked at my best friend the way you do. You’re waiting for every word that falls from her mouth. Even Dom has noticed, and she doesn’t usually notice what’s right in front of her.”

“Look, Blair, I know you mean well, but if you’re worried about me getting into Eden’s pants, you needn’t bother. I’d never do anything like that. I have too much respect for her.”

“So, you are into her?”

Play it cool, Bennett. “Who wouldn’t be? Have you seen her?”

“I’m not talking about appreciating her beauty. I’m talking about everything else I’m seeing.”

“You’re seeing things that aren’t there. Trust me.” Aster backed away, returning to her previous position at the railings. She couldn’t look Blair in the eye and lie to her. She wasn’t that person.

Blair stepped forward, her body painfully close. “Don’t hurt her, Aster. She deserves so much more than that.”

“I’d never hurt her,” Aster whispered. “She means too much to me.”

“Then we’re on the same page. That satisfies me for the time being. But I’m watching you. I’m watching everything.”

Aster scoffed. “Eden’s a big girl. She doesn’t need you flaunting what you have to remind her of what she doesn’t.” Ouch, that was harsh.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Blair’s hands landed on her hips, a scowl now covering her usually pretty face.

“It doesn’t mean anything. But she’s definitely not in a good place. I think we all know that from listening to her singing earlier. If you don’t want me within ten feet of her, you’ll have to take it up with your best friend. I’m just the colleague who is slowly turning into a friend.”

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