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“I don’t know. You seem a little distant tonight.” Eden leaned up and kissed her softly. That continuous thrum of love in her chest heightened, but Aster still couldn’t say the words. “If you have something on your mind, I’d like to hear it.”

“Oh, I have a lot on my mind. But some things are better left unsaid.”

Eden took a step back, her forehead creased. “O…kay.”

“Wait, that’s not what I meant. It’s nothing for you to worry about.” Aster dragged Eden back in, their lips crushing into one another’s. Just say it. She pulled back and gazed into Eden’s eyes. Right now, they were filled with apprehension and confusion. Aster never wanted Eden to feel that way around her. “Babe…”

Eden swallowed and lowered her eyes between them. “Look, if this isn’t working for you, all this time we spend together, just say. I just thought that being together was what you wanted.”

Oh, no. Eden really did have the wrong end of the stick. “Eden—”

“I just thought you were busy the last few weekends. But if this is too much, if I’m too much, I can handle you telling me so. It’s…I hate being apart from you, Aster. When you’re here, life is so good that I don’t even know what day it is, but when you’re not, I’ve never felt so miserable.”

Aster grinned. Hearing Eden speak so honestly was something beautiful.

“Is that what this is? You worrying about telling me that we’re together too much?”

“God, no.” Aster slid down from the island and took Eden in her arms. “I don’t think it’s possible to spend too much time with you. It’s all I want to do.”

“But?” Eden quirked an eyebrow.

“But nothing.”

“Aster…” Eden paused as she blew out a deep breath. “I need to say something to you, but I need it to not change anything between us. And I know you’ll be a sweetheart and let me down gently, but I’m prepared for that.”

“Let you down gently?” Okay, Aster was officially lost.

“I love you.” Eden didn’t miss a beat, her eyes focused fully on Aster. And the way in which she spoke those words, so sure, Aster felt them deep in her belly. “I’ve known it for some time now, but I didn’t know when the right moment was to say it. I’ve…never been in this position before.”

“Hey,” Aster said, tilting Eden’s chin and leaning into a kiss. Eden’s lips mirrored how she was feeling, but Aster knew her girlfriend was still panicking, so she pulled back and whispered, “I love you, too.”

“Yeah?” Those luscious eyes brightened and softened all at the same time.

“Aren’t we a right pair?” Aster laughed, lightening the mood. “I can’t believe it.”

Eden frowned. “I-I don’t…”

“I’ve been going out of my mind panicking about when I should tell you. But that was ridiculous on my part. I had no reason to worry.”

Eden rested her head on Aster’s shoulder, sighing as her arms tightened around her waist. It was a simple action, but one that had Aster swooning for this woman all over again. Aster got the impression that Eden was a little overwhelmed, so she simply pressed a kiss to the top of her head and waited until Eden was ready to allow their conversation to sink in.

“I feel so lucky to have you in my life.”

Aster ran her fingers through Eden’s hair, smiling. “I feel lucky too.”

Eden lifted her head, those full lips curling as the realisation hit her. Aster understood, though. She couldn’t quite get her head around what this year had involved either.

“Y-you really love me?” Eden asked barely above a whisper.

“I do. I really love you.”

“Wow.” Eden dragged a hand through her hair and grinned hard. “I mean, wow.”

“Give yourself a little credit, babe. These last few months have been unbelievably good. That wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for you.”

“God, I’m so happy.”

Aster turned off the stove and pulled Eden out of the kitchen, almost tripping over the back of the couch. It didn’t matter what plans they had this evening. It had all gone out of the window the moment they spoke those three little words that meant everything. “Then I suggest you get your delicious ass into the bedroom. Dinner can wait.”