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“I think you need to seriously consider all of this, Aster. Because all it takes is one drunken night, and the rest is history. If she breaks your heart…”

“She won’t.” Aster lay a gentle hand on Grace’s knee. “It’s not going to come to that. Eden has no interest in me. It’s just a holiday with friends, nothing more. I know what I’m doing, okay?”

“If you’re sure.”

“I…am.” Aster hoped she sounded confident as her voice betrayed her. But as Grace looked at her, studying her, she knew Grace saw right through her. “Honestly, I’m sure.”

“Be careful.”

Discussing Eden with Grace had really helped. Aster had just needed someone who could help her to see sense. To remind her that falling for someone like Eden could only end one way. With heartbreak. Thankfully, Grace would always give it to her straight.

“Anyway, enough about me.” Aster waved off Grace’s concern, it was all she could do. Because while everything Grace had said was absolutely true, Aster still wished things could have been different. “How’s life living with Mia?”

Grace grinned as she sunk back against the cushions, that familiar twinkle of love in her eyes. “Oh, where to begin…”

10

Aster grinned as she moved through the swathes of people on the dance floor. A week on from telling Grace everything, she felt less inclined to seek Eden out at any given opportunity. She’d also made a promise to herself that Eden was low on her list of priorities. Not in terms of friendship, but she was kicking all thoughts of her in any other way from her mind. Eden was her boss only; it should remain that way.

And the benefit of coming to the club midweek was that Eden wouldn’t be here. There wasn’t a single world in which she would drink on a school night, so Aster had freedom over the entire bar tonight. Not that Eden would care if she was here. But Aster couldn’t focus when her boss was around. It felt wrong to flirt with other women when the one woman she’d once wanted was in the same room as her.

She moved towards the bar, checking the clock on the back wall. Esme, the bartender and her date for the night, was about to finish her shift. They’d spoken over the weekend, made plans for during the unexpected Wednesday team meet up, and now here she was. Ready to hopefully spark something between them.

Because she needed something to spark with someone soon. The longer she was hung up on Eden, the worse it would surely be. And in the two and a half months that she’d known Eden Kline, Aster had come to realise that she was only torturing herself. Eden, as beautiful as she may be, was entirely oblivious.

“Hey,” Esme said, removing her badge from her shirt. “Let me change quickly and then I’ll be back.”

“Sure. I’ll be around and about.”

Esme smiled, nodding as she brushed past Aster. Esme seemed nice whenever they spoke on the phone, and she didn’t come across as someone who would mess Aster around. That was just what she needed. Fun and easy.

Aster turned, watching Esme walk away, only for her eyes to land on her best friend. Grace hadn’t known if she could make it tonight, something about meeting with Mia’s brother, but Aster was certainly happy to see her.

“Aster Bennett! Have I just caught you checking out one of the ladies?”

Aster grinned. “You have. And you’ll be pleased to know that she’s my date tonight.”

Grace wrapped her arms around Aster, then pulled back and studied her eyes. “Really? You’re serious?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I’m not that bad at this, am I?”

Grace gave her a knowing look. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. But you know…with what we discussed when you came to mine?”

“That is all in the past,” Aster said quietly. “For my own mental health and because it was a ridiculous thought to begin with.”

“So, you’re not into her anymore?” Grace arched a brow, one hand on her hip. “Don’t lie to me. I want the truth.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m not into Eden, but I’m getting there. It’s only been a week since I spoke to you, but the next morning I felt better for it. When I got into work, I felt different.”

“Different how?”

Aster shrugged. “I don’t know exactly. But I do realise that I’m wasting my time. And you were right, I don’t want to get hurt. And especially not by Eden of all people.”

“Then I wish you well with tonight’s endeavour.” Grace winked, squeezing Aster’s shoulder. “You know I want the best for you. I’m glad you’ve realised that it’s not Eden.”

“No, I know.” Aster lowered her eyes as Grace turned and walked through the crowd of people milling about. In her heart, she would drop everything and anyone for Eden, but it simply wasn’t to be. And she couldn’t hold onto something that was unobtainable. It wasn’t realistic.

“Hey, mate.” Dom nudged Aster’s shoulder, grinning. “See anything you like tonight?”