Page 98 of Holding Her Heart

“Um, Ted and I have things to talk about. You do your own thing, but I’m having another cuppa with him.”

“Incredible,” Aster whispered, squeezing Eden’s hand. “You really are.”

28

“Okay,” Eden paused, pencilling Blair’s wedding date into her business planner and personal planner. “I’m so happy you and Dom figured everything out.”

“I was a fool to think she could hurt me. I know better than that.”

“You do, but you’ve had some massive changes in your life over the last few years, Blair. And I think maybe that’s why Dom kinda understands.”

Blair cleared her throat. “Still. I could have handled things better. Dom has never done a single thing to break my trust in her.”

“Well, it’s over now. And I’m excited to get to work on your wedding plans. As your maid of honour, of course.”

“I trust you to only send in the very best when it comes to planning. I know you want to take the reins, but I’ll need you to stop me from turning hysterical on the day.”

Eden would love to handle all of this, but Blair had been adamant from day one that she didn’t want Eden to plan the day. And that was perfectly fine. “They know I’m here if they have any issues. That doesn’t mean I have to work your wedding rather than be a part of it. My team knows what they’re doing.”

“They do. You wouldn’t have them on your team if they didn’t.” Blair was right. Eden didn’t hire just anyone when it came to event planning. “But I have to go now. I’m meeting Dom and her mum for dinner. If I don’t leave work now, I’ll hit the rush hour traffic.”

“Call me next week if you have a day off. I’ll clear my afternoon, and we’ll have lunch.”

“I’d love that. Now, I’m leaving work and you should do the same, Edes. Go and spend the night with Aster.”

Oh, if only. Aster had too much on, and Eden wouldn’t likely see her this evening. That knowledge sat low in her belly; she hated going home alone lately. One taste of Aster and nothing had been the same. Six weeks since meeting Ted, Eden couldn’t deny she was head over heels in love with Aster Bennett. “Maybe I’ll get an hour with her later. If I can prise her away from that bloody suite.”

“Go in there with a little extra cleavage on show. She’ll be crawling out the door on her hands and knees to be with you.”

“Goodnight, Blair,” Eden laughed, shaking her head. “Say hi to Dom.”

“Bye, love. I’ll see you soon.”

Eden locked her phone and shoved it into the side of her bag. It was Friday, there were no events booked in for tomorrow, but Eden found herself feeling a little more miserable than she should. Aster’s talent had only grown since she joined The Garden of Eden, and now everyone who booked in with them wanted Aster to capture the day. That meant more work for her and less time with Eden. Honestly, it wasn’t what either of them wanted. But that was the life when you were in demand. Eden only knew it all too well.

She powered down her computer and grabbed her belongings. Eden would love nothing more than to sit around the office all night so she could be with Aster, but she was dead on her feet today. The sooner she got her heels off, the sooner Eden could spend the entire weekend relaxing. In an ideal world, she would spend her time in pyjamas until Monday morning.

Yawning as she turned out the office light, Eden stepped out into the reception area and locked up for the weekend. Her secretary had left an hour ago, the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall above the entrance. Six on a Friday night…and she was still working. I didn’t create this business so I could work stupid hours week in, week out. Dragging a hand through her hair, she spied the suite door Aster was behind. They hadn’t even had lunch together today.

She knocked gently, turning the handle when Aster called out for her to come in. She sounded tired, worn out, but Eden knew better than to ask Aster to leave work at the office. Her girlfriend prided herself on finishing tasks when they were handed to her.

“Hi,” Eden said as she leant against the doorframe. Aster had dragged her hair up into a bun, discarded her blazer and pumps, and sat with her knees pulled to her chest in her huge office chair. “How goes the work?”

Aster’s tired eyes found Eden’s. “Mm?”

“Work. How is it going?”

“Oh, yeah. Fine.” Aster yawned and Eden immediately followed. “You headed home now?”

It saddened Eden to know she was going home alone. All week, she’d prayed that they could spend the weekend together, but as with last weekend, it didn’t look as though it was going to be.

“Yeah. Thought I’d just order in. No use cooking if it’s just me.”

Aster frowned. “Am I…not invited?”

“What? Of course. But we both know you have no intentions of leaving that chair until you’ve finished. And I’d ask you to bring it back to mine with you, but I’ve asked you that several times over the last month, and I’m yet to see it happen. So, I thought I’d head home and just see you when you were finished. I know you hate it when I nag.”

Aster climbed from her chair, almost slipping on the tiled flooring in her socks. “Whoa.”

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