Page 6 of Holding Her Heart

“Right, well I’m sorry you feel that way, but it doesn’t change the fact I’m not available to join you tonight or tomorrow at a club.”

She’s far too pretty and dedicated for clubs around here.

“Okay, I’m going now. Bye.” Eden hung up, throwing her phone to the couch. “Why don’t men understand the word ‘no’?”

“You’re asking the wrong person.” Aster picked at a spot of lint on her jeans, offering a slight smile. “The husband?”

“God, no!”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to assume.” Aster made a mental note to have a word with herself once she left this apartment. It was none of her business.

“Liam is my ‘boyfriend,’” Eden said, rolling her eyes as she air quoted. “We’ve been together for six months. Paul and Beth are going out tonight—his best friend and wife. He seems to think I want to be in with his crowd, and I don’t. I have far too much to concentrate on without clubbing. I’m 42 for the love of God!”

“And how old is he?” Aster asked, clearing her throat. She hoped it wasn’t too personal.

“Thirty-five.”

Aster nodded. “Maybe he hasn’t matured yet.”

“He’s going to get the shock of his life when he discovers I’m planning on joining Ashforth for their holiday.”

“Gran Canaria?” Aster’s eyebrow rose. She may not know anything about Eden, but she was fairly certain it wouldn’t be her scene. “You’re actually going?”

“Mmhmm. Blair is dragging me along with Dom.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”

Eden frowned. “You’re not going?”

Aster had considered it. Her best friend, Grace, was the goalkeeper for Ashforth FC. But it didn’t appeal to Aster. Not when she would be the only single one there. And as much as she loved the idea of a holiday romance with someone she likely wouldn’t see again back in the UK, Aster couldn’t bring herself to accept Grace’s invitation. It would mean paying for a room on her own since Grace would be staying with Mia, another player on the team and Grace’s girlfriend. “No, I won’t be going.”

“Why?”

“I think maybe if Grace and Mia weren’t together, I probably would, but I’ll only be third-wheeling with everyone.”

“Great. That’s going to be my job, isn’t it?”

“Which?”

“Third-wheeling.” Eden snorted. “Maybe I should tell them I can’t commit to it. I mean, I’m not even gay, so I don’t know why I’m going to a Pride event with a team full of lesbians.”

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great trip. Really great.”

“But?”

Aster chewed her lip. “You have to keep your wits about you. Or you’ll wake up in bed with a load of women and no idea how it happened.”

Eden barked a laugh. “Wow. You’re certainly selling this to me.”

“Just…don’t want you to get caught out.”

And then Eden’s eyes brightened. She’d clearly had some kind of lightbulb moment.

“So, why don’t you come with me?” Eden suggested. “We can share a room, you won’t have to third-wheel, and we both get a holiday out of it before wedding season truly begins.”

“Um, I don’t have a wedding season to get ready for. I’m usually only booked for maybe five weddings at the height of it. It doesn’t require me to need a break before or after.”

“Ah, but that’s where I’m hoping you’re going to be wrong,” Eden paused. “You know we were supposed to meet tomorrow at the office?”

---