Page 24 of Holding Her Heart

“No, I’m good. And you…” Aster paused. “Well, you have significantly less clothes on than I do.”

Eden grinned. “I didn’t anticipate standing around waiting for a cab to collect me tonight. Sorry.”

“You look great.”

“T-thank you.” Eden frowned as she stared at Aster’s back. Nobody had said she looked great in a long time. Not even Liam when she met him at a local restaurant or bar. “So do you.”

“I always choose comfort over everything else.” Aster shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, leaning heavier on one leg. The stance had Eden admiring Aster from behind, her jeans hugging Aster’s perfectly rounded backside. Oh, no. No. No. No.

Eden opened her mouth to speak, but then Aster turned around, her eyes penetrating. “And tonight…wow. Your voice was incredible.”

“Again, thank you.” Eden dipped her head, reddening. She didn’t take well to compliments. They were always few and far between.

“I mean, I didn’t expect that at all. Not even a hint of it.”

Eden shrugged. “Why would you?”

“You’re right. We’ve been spending time together, but I don’t really know you. Even though I feel like I do. You’re so easy to get along with.”

“I try to be,” Eden said.

“And Dom says you play guitar?”

Why would Dom say that? Unless they’d been talking about Eden, that piece of information couldn’t have possibly come up during conversation. “I…do.”

“Could I maybe hear you play sometime?” Aster asked, her eyes brightening ever so slightly. “If you wouldn’t mind?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t usually play for anyone. Not even Blair. Guitar is my personal downtime.”

Aster smiled faintly. “That’s a shame.”

“But, never say never.” Eden pushed off the fence when a car pulled up outside Blair’s. “After you…”

Aster shook her head, opening the door as Eden stood painfully close. And then Eden saw it. The look Blair had been talking about. The supposed attraction. God, that look was intense. “After you.”

Good Lord. I could get used to her company…

8

Aster eased into her seat, swivelling as she looked around the bright white room. This place was something else, and she had full reign over it. Okay, kid! You landed on your feet this time around. She smiled, eyeing her camera bag sitting next to the iMac. When she was positioned in this spot, she had a panoramic view of the Three Graces. It was an astonishing sight. When she arrived early enough, she was in time to catch the sun rising and breaking through the sandstone buildings. They always looked so perfect next to one another. None of them matched, the symmetry completely non-existent, but they looked ideal side by side.

She sighed, rocking back in her office chair. Yesterday, this room had been unveiled to Aster, and Eden’s eyes had lit up as much as her own. Aster truly couldn’t believe her luck. “How the hell did you end up here?”

She truthfully had no idea. While she’d spent her life making sure she had what she needed, this was entirely different. And to have gotten this position on her own merit…she’d never felt so proud of herself before today. I should call Dad. Ted would be thrilled to hear Aster’s news. They hadn’t spoken in a couple of weeks, but Aster had been busy with scheduling. Not too busy to check in with him. Lily had moved back home almost two years ago when her relationship ended, and Rose visited every weekend. So, he wasn’t completely alone. Still, Aster knew she should make more time for him. She made a mental note to call over at the weekend.

And then her phone buzzed in her pocket. When she removed it, she was thankful to see Grace’s name.

G: Tired of waiting for an answer so I’ve booked your flight for Pride.

Shit. Aster had completely forgotten about Gran Canaria Pride. She wanted to go, but it wasn’t the wisest of choices she could be making. Two weeks had passed since she heard Eden’s incredible voice at the bar. Throw in this new editing suite, and Aster was struggling more than ever before. Nothing good could come from Pride. Nothing at all.

A: I don’t even know if I can get the time off work.

G: Eden is coming. Why wouldn’t you be able to?

A: She may need me for a job while she’s away.

G: And you’re being a miserable arse. Have a look at the accommodation. If you don’t like it, book somewhere you do.

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