Page 32 of Holding Her Heart

“Blair, Dom is so in love with you that it’s actually sickening at times. I mean, how could you even think she’d do something like that to you?”

“I don’t mean that it would be intentional,” Blair said, turning to face Eden with a large glass of wine. “But you never know. I’m way past my prime. Dom could fall for anyone at any time.”

And Eden knew that was the truth about most people. But not Dom. She was thinking about her own recent experiences. “Do you think that’s possible? For someone to fall for anyone when they least expect it?”

“I think it’s perfectly possible.” Blair guided Eden towards a table, sitting down with her own glass of wine. Eden sat beside her, confused by Blair’s sudden worries. “I mean, you could fall in love with the woman behind the bar. Anything is possible.”

“Well, I think that’s unlikely. I’m not attracted to the woman behind the bar.”

“But it could happen. You never know.”

“I wonder if people actually do that.” Eden knew she should have kept that thought to herself. Aster wasn’t here tonight; there was no use thinking about her. “No, I don’t suppose they do.”

“Do what?”

“Fall for someone they never thought they’d fall for.”

Blair eyed Eden suspiciously. “Anything is possible. And that’s that.”

Eden held up a hand. “Okay. I’m only saying.”

Silence settled between them, Blair focusing on her glass as the team sat around with Zoe. Eden couldn’t comprehend what Blair had just said. Dom would never do anything to hurt her. And in Eden’s opinion, Blair was ten times what Zoe was. “You good?” She settled a hand on top of Blair’s. “You’re not thinking she would do something like that, are you?”

“No.” Blair smiled weakly. “But they don’t usually have new people come into the fold. And Zoe is going to take a shine to Dom; she’s the best player.”

“And for all we know, Zoe is in a relationship already. Married with kids. Maybe not even gay.”

Blair snorted. “She’s gay.”

How did Blair know that? She was about to ask her best friend when she saw Aster on the dance floor. Her pulse quickened. Aster looked exceptional tonight. Wow. I need to find a hobby. Eden cleared her throat, shaking her head slightly as she focused on her glass of wine. “Well, I know Dom would never do anything to hurt you. And you’re a fool if you think otherwise.”

“I know she wouldn’t. I’m being stupid.” Blair straightened, crossing her legs as she turned her attention to Eden. “So, how’s work?”

“Okay, I guess. But Aster has been a little quieter than usual.”

“Oh?”

“And those Saturday nights we’ve been spending together came to an abrupt end.” Eden frowned. Why had that happened? “But I guess you were right. As usual. I’m her boss and that’s that.”

“Well, I know she’s here tonight on a date. So maybe that has something to do with the Saturday cancellations.”

Those words cut deep through Eden. It hadn’t occurred to her that Aster would one day be unavailable. But it made total sense. Aster was a dream. God, she’d certainly been Eden’s dream. “O-oh. Well, that’s nice.”

“Are you okay?” Blair narrowed her eyes. “You seem a bit shocked by that.”

“Shocked? No. Aster is lovely; she deserves to find a partner. I hope it all goes well for her.” Eden swallowed down the emotion in her throat, her stomach lurching at knowing she couldn’t even entertain the idea of them together any longer. But it didn’t matter. Aster wasn’t looking in her direction…and she never had been. “I’m going to use the bathroom. Can I get you anything from the bar on the way back?”

“Are you working tomorrow?” Blair asked.

She was supposed to be, but something told Eden she wouldn’t leave her bed tomorrow. “No. I have the day off.”

“Then I believe some midweek shots are appropriate.”

* * *

The team meeting had ended no sooner than it started, but that made life easier for Eden. It meant she could chat with everyone, avoiding the space Aster was sharing with her date. Upon closer inspection, Eden had discovered that it was the bartender who worked here that was accompanying Aster this evening. That only made this all worse. Because not only did Eden feel dreadful seeing them together, it meant she wasn’t on an even footing. This was Aster’s date’s territory, not Eden’s.

But she’d taken her mind off it by dancing with the team and Blair. This wasn’t her first outing here, but it could be her last. If Aster fell for the woman she currently had her arms around, Eden wouldn’t step foot inside this bar again. She couldn’t face seeing it all play out in front of her.

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