Page 21 of Holding Her Heart

“She’s not in a good place?”

“I can’t be the only one who saw the tears in her eyes tonight. She’s very good at wearing a mask, but I saw right through it.”

“I-I don’t…” Blair lowered her eyes. “She’s been off with me. She doesn’t call as much as she used to. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong.”

“Maybe she’s trying to let you get on with your life. I know what you’ve been through, Blair, and I’m sorry about that. But you’ve recently got engaged to Dom, so maybe Eden is taking a step back, I don’t know.”

“I don’t want her to step back. There’s plenty of room in my life for both of them.”

Aster shrugged. “I’m trying to be her friend, Blair. I’m not lucky enough to be anything more.”

“You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?” Blair’s eyes softened, and her arms wrapped around herself.

Aster couldn’t hold it in much longer. Grace would hit the roof when she found out that Aster had confided in Blair before her, but Aster needed to speak the words to someone. “I think I fell for her the moment I walked into her office, Blair. But I’ve managed this long, so I’m sure I can keep it to myself and take it to the grave with me.”

Blair’s hand covered her mouth, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Oh, Aster.”

“Please, don’t.” Aster held up her hands. She didn’t want someone to cry for her. She wanted to forget about Eden Kline. It couldn’t be that hard to do. It wasn’t as though anything had happened between them. “It doesn’t mean anything, okay?”

Blair shook her head when Dom stepped up behind her. “God, I don’t know what to say.”

“About what, babe?” Dom cut in. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Aster watched Blair intently, silently begging her to remain quiet about this. “Blair was having a gushy moment about you.” She switched her gaze to Dom, wearing her best fake smile. “You’ve made this woman’s life, mate.”

“Aww, you big softy.” Dom got to her tiptoes, kissing the side of Blair’s neck. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Blair side glanced at Dom, her eyes glossy.

“Hey, what did you think of Eden’s voice tonight?” Dom relaxed an arm around Blair’s shoulders.

Aster cleared her throat. “Amazing.”

“She plays guitar too. You should ask her to show you one night.”

Aster’s entire body buzzed. How could a woman who looked swanky and professional possibly lounge around with a guitar? Aster blew out a breath. She couldn’t hang around here much longer. “Yeah. Maybe.”

* * *

Eden sat comfortably, snuggled up with Blair as the team told their latest stories of one-night stands and bad mistakes. She’d been here once before when the girls were invited over, and this night was living up to be as good as the last. The major difference this time around was that Aster was here too. She looks cute tonight…

“What time are you working tomorrow?” Blair asked, twisting Eden’s hair around the tip of her finger. It was a habit Blair hadn’t been able to shake since they were kids. “Early start, or?”

“Nope. No work tomorrow. Tuesday, I have the entire team in for a meeting. I almost forgot to tell Aster.”

“I think she’s going to thrive with you, Eden.”

“I hope so,” Eden said, her head falling to Blair’s shoulder. “I should show you some of the images she took when I called her in last minute. Maybe you could use her for your wedding.”

“I’m trying to avoid using anyone we know.”

“Why?” Eden glanced up, frowning. “I mean, don’t you want me involved?”

“I do, but I also want you to be a huge part of our day. I don’t want you working behind the scenes, and I don’t think Dom would want Aster to, either. You’re there as guests, not staff.”

Eden hadn’t thought of it that way. She could see what Blair was saying, but how was Eden supposed to sit back and allow some random event planner to take charge of her best friend’s wedding? No, it simply couldn’t happen.

“What if I got someone from my company to oversee everything?”

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