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Eden turned, frowning. “You don’t strike me as a pervert, Aster.”

“I’m not.” Then why are you looking at her like you’re about to fuck her against every wall in this apartment? “But I can still leave while you finish up here.”

Eden laughed, shaking her head. “Aster, do I make you nervous?”

Yes! “No.”

“Then I don’t know why you’re even suggesting leaving the room.” Eden took the dress from the hanger, slipping it over her shoulders.

Aster’s eyes followed the hem as it brushed Eden’s cleavage, finally covering her beautiful body. She released a slow breath, focusing back on the images that had fallen into her lap. Eden was watching her, she felt the burn of her stare, but Aster couldn’t meet her eyes. She couldn’t bring herself to look up again, because the arousal she felt would be written all over her face. “Is this Blair?”

Eden approached, leaning down as she braced her hands against the mattress. Fuck, she’s too close. Aster had to concentrate. “Yep.”

“Who is she with?”

“Her bastard ex-husband,” Eden spat, the venom in her tone startling. “I think she was pregnant with Harry in this picture.”

“She looks so young.”

“She was. Twenty-one.” Eden pushed off the mattress, fixing her dress around her thighs. Aster watched out of the corner of her eye, Eden’s perfume making everything ten times worse than it already was. “The day she called to tell me she’d left him was probably the first time I slept fully in twenty years.”

“Really?”

Eden cleared her throat, her eyes filled with tears. “He was evil. And she couldn’t see it for a long time. But then everything got worse. She’d turn up to events in the winter wearing sunglasses, and in the summer, she’d cover up. She felt she had no way out. But he made her feel that way.”

“When did she meet Dom?”

“It’s coming up to two years, I think. And even when she met Dom, I still had a bit of worry at the back of my mind. I’d spent so many years fearing for Blair that I couldn’t possibly understand why Dom wanted to be with her. Before I saw the love they shared, my mind was stuck on the money side of things, the big house and the car. You know?”

“Understandable. She’s your best friend and you only wanted to protect her.”

“No. I should have protected her from Barrett, not Dom,” Eden paused, taking a seat beside Aster. “I sometimes wonder if she hates me for that. But I tried, more than once. She cut me off whenever I did.”

“I know it’s hard seeing your friend going through something like that, but nobody knows how Blair was feeling at the time. And she had Harry to think about. You have to remember that it all worked out for her in the end.” Aster chanced her luck, placing her hand over Eden’s. “She got out. And look at her now.”

“God, I’d give anything to have what they have…”

Aster’s heart beat harder; it was almost slamming against her chest. Eden was looking at her as though she was the only woman in the world, but they were simply in a moment of reflection, so she wouldn’t allow it to consume her. Eden’s eyes often had this effect on her. She’d managed on numerous occasions before. But the truth was, this felt different. The intimacy, how Eden turned her palm upright to meet Aster’s…it all felt different than before.

“You will. I’m sure of it.”

“A-Aster…” Eden chewed her bottom lip, her long lashes fluttering slightly as Eden drew in a shaky breath. “Could we talk about something in the next few days?”

“Sure. If you need to talk, you know I’m here for you.” She squeezed Eden’s hand. “I’m your friend.”

Eden smiled weakly. “Yeah.”

“Why don’t we get this show on the road? I’ll make us a cocktail while you finish up in here. I’m only keeping you from getting ready. We’ll never get out at this rate.” Aster needed to distance herself once again.

“Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” Eden muttered.

Aster loosened her grip on Eden’s hand, searching her face. Had Eden agreed to this night out only to appease Aster? “Did you not want to go out tonight?”

“I did. I mean, I do.” Eden shook her head, the slight curl in her hair bouncing as it fell around her shoulders. “You make the drinks. I’ll be five minutes in here.”

Aster smiled, offering a slight nod as she stood and collected the photographs into piles. Once she’d put them safely away, leaving the box for Eden to put back, Aster moved towards the door. She turned back momentarily, surprised to find Eden staring at her. Through her. Just…staring. “You good?”

“Perfect. Yes.”