Page 50 of Holding Her Heart

“Eden…”

“Yes?” Eden rolled her eyes.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea right now. You two are becoming friends. At least wait a while and see how it flows.”

“I can’t, Blair. I feel like I’m going to combust. She’s been sitting here today talking about holidays and bikinis, and I’m losing my fucking mind!”

“I don’t know, love. Are you going to do it when you’re alone?”

“Yes. Before we leave to meet you lot.”

“Y-you’re coming out?” Blair almost choked on her words. “I didn’t think it was your thing.” Eden hadn’t ventured out since the episode with Fi. She didn’t want to come across anything Aster could be getting up to. It was better…not knowing.

“It’s not. But Aster invited me, and I feel like we’re in a good place at the minute.”

“Don’t you want to stay in that good place?”

Eden sighed. “I want to be in a better place with her. An honest place. I can’t keep pretending to be her friend. It’s not fair to either of us. I can’t keep acting like her bestie when I want more.”

“What if it goes wrong?”

“You seemed adamant not too long ago that it wouldn’t. Right?”

“Yeah.”

Eden heard the shakiness in her best friend’s voice. That was never a good sign. But Blair was preoccupied so maybe it was best if Eden left her and Dom alone for the rest of the day.

“You know what, it’s okay. I’ll figure this out myself. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and say hi to Dom for me, won’t you?”

“Eden, I’m free to talk to you. But I…I don’t know what to say for the best. I want you to take the chance, but I’m not sure now is the right time.”

“Okay.” Eden suddenly felt despondent. She’d been building herself up for days, and now Blair was putting her off the idea. “Okay. I’ll wait. Maybe once the holiday is over and everything, I can sit down and talk to her. She probably thinks I’m only looking for a quick hook-up anyway.”

“I don’t think that’s the impression you give her at all. We’ll discuss this tonight, okay?”

Eden sighed, her mind swirling with the decisions she had to make. “Sure. Yeah.”

15

Music played through Eden’s apartment, the sound of laughter coming from her bedroom as Aster thumbed through a box of old photos on Eden’s bed. They’d discussed going through them for a laugh last week, and since Aster had arrived pretty much ready, she was keeping herself busy with a good twenty years’ worth of pictures.

Eden stood in front of the mirror, smoothing her dress down at the sides. She looked impeccable—nothing new there—but Aster had seen her in better dresses. Even arriving at work, Eden looked as though she was getting ready to leave for a red-carpet event.

“Can I be honest?” Aster said, glancing up from the pile of images in her hand. “About your choice of dress tonight?”

“You can.”

“Red looks great on you, but black…” Aster eyed the little black dress hanging over the mirrored wardrobe doors. “Black is your colour.”

“I agree. I was only trying something different.”

“I mean, you go with what you prefer, but black looks incredible on you.”

Eden’s cheeks flashed red; her palm settled against her stomach. “The heels? Will they do?” Eden looked down at her feet, turning to the side. “Or should I choose another pair?”

“The heels look great. But they’d look even better with that dress.” Aster pointed to the dress she’d been drooling over for the last few minutes. “I feel awful for telling you what to wear. That’s not what I’m doing at all…just giving you my opinion.”

Eden suddenly turned her back. Gripping the hem of the red dress she wore, she lifted it over her head. Aster’s eyes widened, her hands shaking as she dropped the photos into her lap. Sweet. Fucking. Jesus. Aster’s eyes grazed the entirety of Eden’s body, her black lace underwear barely hugging her ass cheeks, the backs of her tanned thighs toned and smooth. “I-I can leave the room if you want me to…”

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