Page 27 of Holding Her Heart

“So come over and we’ll discuss them. Every last one.”

Eden was done with this conversation. Liam had never been this vocal in the six months they’d been together; why was he now demanding one thing or another? “Please leave. And don’t come back here. This is my job; I don’t want to see you in this building again.”

Liam’s shoulders slumped, his phone gripped tight in his hand as he walked through the door. Eden should feel some kind of sorrow for how this was ending, shouldn’t she? She glanced back at Aster…that was who she wanted to be spending her time with.

Satisfied that Liam was actually leaving, Eden closed the door and turned back to her employee. She didn’t like to think of Aster in that way, but it beat thinking about her in other ways. Ways that could get her into a lot of trouble. “So…”

“Sorry. I heard you call for me to come in, but he didn’t sound like he wanted me to do that.”

“He’s…the least of my concerns. Did you bring me some images?”

Aster grinned, holding up a USB stick. “I did. Want to take a look?”

“Let me make us some coffee and then we’ll sit down and go through them together,” Eden said, busying herself away from Aster. When she beamed that smile, it was hard to focus on anything else. And those long, dark lashes…divine. “Cappuccino?”

“I thought Maxine was bringing me one back?”

“She is, but she’ll be gone for the hour. You can wait until then if you want?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll drink coffee with you instead.”

Eden’s chest expanded. Aster was going to become a major issue in her life. If she allowed that, of course.

“You’re still going to Pride, right?”

Eden turned, allowing the coffee machine to work its magic. “I am. And I can hardly wait.”

“You know we spoke about it when I started working for you? Well, I was wondering if it was still okay for me to come along?”

Eden narrowed her eyes. “They’re your friends, Aster. I’m only tagging along for some sun.”

“I know, but I wasn’t sure if you needed me to work while you’re away.”

“We have no events for those two weekends. There is no reason why I’d need you here.”

Aster nodded slightly. “Okay. Well, Grace booked my flight earlier. I have no choice but to tag along, too.”

Okay. This changed everything. Eden had initially invited Aster to share a room with her before all these feelings came to light. Now that she found herself drawn to Aster, it made life that little bit more difficult.

“I can find my own accommodation. It’s no problem.”

Eden looked up to find Aster chewing her lip. Her silence wasn’t helping, that much was clear. “No. Sharing a room will be fun. I haven’t had a girly holiday in forever.”

“Right, well…”

The coffee machine beeped, and Eden took their drinks from beneath the spout. She set them down on her desk, getting comfortable in her seat. “Pride is going to be great. Now, pull up a chair and show me the work of art you likely produced.”

Aster blushed, handing the USB over.

Eden focused her eyes on the screen. Being alone with Aster was much more pleasing than being alone with Liam. Ordering in. She scoffed inwardly. Aster probably didn’t order in. No, she probably took the time to prepare dinner when she was dating. Or perhaps she didn’t and ordering in was just what couples did these days. Maybe Eden was setting her evening expectations too high. Suddenly, her interest was piqued. “Hey, I have a question for you…”

“Okay, shoot!”

Eden cleared her throat, enjoying the warmth of Aster’s body beside her. “How do you feel about ordering in?”

“Ordering in? Like, takeout…at home?”

“Mmhmm.” Eden didn’t stray from the computer screen. Sitting beside Aster was becoming painful. “Just a random question. I’m not expecting any kind of life changing answer.”

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