Page 27 of An Adventure For Aster

“The only person I know that is a fireman is Aster,” Ivy said. “Oh my God. Are you dating Aster Allen?”

“I am now,” she said.

“He works for Blossoms. I know him. I talk to him. He’s sexy. He’s handsome. He’s sweet in a quiet way.”

She laughed at the words rambling out of Ivy’s mouth. “He’s all those things.”

“Details,” Ivy said. “I wish I was at your house right now. Oh, wait. Can I tell Brooks? I know how your brothers are with men you date. After Colton and all.”

Raine let out a sigh. “You can tell them. And because you know Aster and he’s friends with Zane and Luke, who works with Brooks, I’m hoping there won’t be a problem.”

“Got it,” Ivy said. “I’ll put in a good word for Aster with Brooks, but there is no reason to. He’s a great guy. He really is. Lily said he’s been a godsend for Zane since he moved here in July.”

“Good to know. And yes, he is a great guy that I can see.”

“Now to the details. How did the first date go?” Ivy asked.

“We ran into each other in the grocery store. I dropped some food out of my basket that was overloaded and when I bent down to pick it up, he was there getting another item. We exchanged numbers there.”

“Oh my God,” Ivy squealed. “That sounds like Brooks and me. Well, not unless you went back and had sex after. That is what Brooks and I did. You know that. Then he blew me off.”

Raine grinned. She knew the story. That Brooks and Ivy had more of a friends-with-benefits situation with the understanding that Ivy was looking for more and if Brooks wasn’t the one to give it to her, Ivy would just move on. No strings attached.

Her brother wasn’t willing to let Ivy go. What she’d hoped for all along when she’d sought Ivy out to learn more about the woman who had her brother’s head not on straight.

It all worked out, just like she said the same with Dahlia and Hugh and Jasmine and Wesley.

Though it wasn’t what Ivy thought would happen, it only mattered what the couple really wanted.

“We didn’t have sex,” Raine said. “Not yet.”

“But you want to,” Ivy said. “That’s a good sign right there.”

“I don’t move that fast, but I’m attracted to him. He’s nice and sweet though he’d argue the sweet part.”

“I like him. He’s friendly but doesn’t talk that much.”

“He said that. That Zane told him being around women will wear him down.”

“We are good at wearing people down,” Ivy said. “So tell me about your three dates.”

“We went to dinner on Friday. Saturday we picked apples and then went to Clyde’s and the tasting room. Sunday, I had him come to my place and help me bake.”

“That sounds like fun. Brooks never bakes with me. He likes to eat, but he doesn’t bake, but he does cook and helps me and I love that. I think every guy should help out and do things equally.”

Raine smiled. That was why Ivy was good for her brother. He needed someone in his life like that. River and Brooks were raised to help out and hated that their mother did so much, but their father did equally as much.

It was a shared life and it appeared to her Aster was looking for something similar during their awkward conversation.

She hadn’t been positive she got her feelings and opinions out clearly, but maybe she did.

“He was really good about it. Then we cleaned up and I sent him home with half of what we made. He appreciated that.”

“Good for you, Raine. I wish I could see your face because I can hear it in your voice. It’s a little romantic and sappy at the same time.”

“That’s a good description of it,” she said. “It’s how I feel. I brought up Colton.”

“You did?” Ivy asked. “Wow. Normally exes aren’t a good conversation this early on.”

---