Page 86 of Holding Her Heart

Eden frowned. “Why?”

“I shouldn’t have said what I did out there. I should have kept my mouth shut and minded my own business. I’m sorry.”

Eden closed the bedroom door and approached Aster. When she took her hand, Aster’s body tingled. “I’m glad you said what you did.”

“You are?”

“If Mum was unsure before, she’s certainly not now.” Eden pressed her body to Aster, smiling into a kiss. “You stood your ground, and I admire you for that.”

“I needed her to know that she has a wonderful daughter. But I’m not sure she’ll go for it.”

“That’s a problem my mum will have to deal with herself. And I told her that.”

“Eden, are you sure you’re willing to potentially fall out with her over this? Over me? I’d like to think I’m absolutely worth it, but what if I’m not? What if in a week or a month you regret choosing me in all of this, and then it’s ruined everything with your family?”

“I very much doubt that’s going to happen, Aster.”

Eden had a sparkle in her eyes that Aster couldn’t imagine seeing from anyone else. Bright, yet so dark. Inviting, yet a little apprehensive. Eden’s eyes always told a story, but this morning, Aster was struggling to read her completely. “Whatever you want to do, okay?”

“What I want is to keep doing this with you,” Eden whispered, her arms wrapping around Aster’ waist. “This morning…my God!”

“Did you feel okay?” Aster asked. It wasn’t the kind of conversation she wanted to be having, but Eden and how she was feeling meant a lot to her. “I mean, after last night. Did you wake up wishing it hadn’t happened?”

“Quite the opposite actually.”

“Oh yeah?” Aster couldn’t fight back the smirk she was wearing. Knowing Eden had enjoyed last night as much as she had herself…well, it helped a lot.

“I sat with my coffee this morning wondering what the hell took me so long.”

“It’s a big change in your life.”

Eden’s hands slid up the back of Aster’s T-shirt as she grinned. “Still, I feel like I’ve missed out on too much. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t plan to dwell on it for too long. That time could be spent doing much more exciting things.”

“Now that I could get on board with.”

“Good. Because I was hoping we could spend the day together. And the night…”

Aster winced. She would love to spend every moment with Eden, but she had to visit her dad first. “The night I can definitely do, and I can’t wait, but I have to head to my dad’s. Lily called a few minutes ago. He’s just been discharged, and I want to make sure he’s okay.”

“That’s great. I’m glad they’ve discharged him.”

“Me too…I think.” Aster pulled Eden down into a seated position on the bed. Was her dad in the right frame of mind to be home? “I hope he hasn’t convinced them to discharge him.”

“They wouldn’t do that if he wasn’t ready.”

“You don’t know my dad. He’s very persistent.”

Eden nodded, squeezing Aster’s hand. “Well, you’ll know when you get there. Maybe you should stay for a few days.”

“Lily will be there. She lives with him.”

“Right. Yes.”

“He can’t wait to meet you, by the way. I told him all about how gorgeous you are yesterday when I visited the hospital.”

Eden blushed, shaking her head. “I think he’s going to be disappointed when he meets me then. I’m really nothing special, Aster.”

Aster lifted Eden’s hand, kissing her knuckles. “Well, you are to me. And if I think you are, my dad will think so too. I can’t remember a time when I introduced him to anyone as important as you. Actually, I never have. Nobody seemed worth it in the past.”

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