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Both knew they had to remain professional, and that was Eden’s saving grace all night. Because the times she’d thought about dragging Aster into a corner were too many to count. But now, five days on from the most earth-shattering kiss, Eden was truly ready to try. If she wanted a happy ending, she didn’t have time to waste.

Eden turned her key in the lock, pushing the door open with her shoulder. Aster followed behind her, the camera bag weighing her down during the walk back, but she was thankful Aster had decided to come back with her after work. She could see how tired and worn-out Aster was this evening. It had been the longest day.

Now, Eden just had to figure out where they went from here. She was hopeless when it came to dating.

She turned around, taking Aster’s camera bag from her. “Let me put that somewhere safe. You’re like a cart horse with it.”

“Thanks.” Aster’s right shoulder sagged as Eden lifted the weight from it. “I’m so used to it that I don’t realise how heavy it is until I take it off.”

“You’re joined at the hip. I’m not surprised.” Eden gave herself a moment for some small talk. She needed to get everything right this evening. Aster was here. There was no rush to get carried away.

They were both shattered, it’d been a long night, but as Eden had walked through the door, she felt wired. If Aster was sitting on her couch, she would always be alert. She placed the camera bag down on the counter, pushing it away from the edge. She wouldn’t be responsible for it toppling onto the marble floor below; that really would be the end of any and all relationships between the two of them.

“Can I get you anything? I could make a snack…it’s up to you.”

“No, I’m okay. I picked up a bowl of chips between the speeches and the meal.”

Eden hadn’t thought to do that, but she rarely had the time anyway. She had to be on hand for any issues that may arise. It didn’t happen often, but she knew her luck would fail her when she wasn’t around and ultimately needed. “Okay, well something to drink then?”

“Sure. What do you have?”

“Anything you want. I have that Irish whiskey you like. I picked a bottle up a few weeks ago after we’d hung out a bit. Figured it would be handy to have a bottle in for you.”

Aster shrugged her blazer from her shoulders, untucking her shirt from her pants. “Okay, that’s kinda nice.”

“It’s only whiskey.”

“I know, but it’s still a nice thing you did.”

Eden glanced around the kitchen, trying not to think too much about Aster or how she’d looked at her all evening. When she did, she couldn’t concentrate. “Or I have different teas. Coffee. Whatever.”

“I think coffee is best for now,” Aster said, kicking off her shoes and easing onto Eden’s corner couch in the window. “Alcohol doesn’t do either of us any favours.”

Eden had to agree. Before she joined Aster, she had to stand for a moment and appreciate the scene playing out in front of her. Aster was here, and it was as though she always had been. She was lounging on the couch, her legs crossed, thumbing through a magazine from the coffee table. “I’ll be over in a few minutes. I’ll get the coffee.”

Aster didn’t respond; she was engrossed in whatever she’d found in the magazine. But that was okay. It gave Eden a moment to gather her thoughts and herself. Because she had no idea what this night would result in. They may end up in a better position, but it could also go the opposite way and ruin whatever was budding between them. Eden didn’t want that outcome. Of all her failed relationships, this couldn’t become one.

While she desperately craved something more with Aster, Eden didn’t have a clue what was and wasn’t on the table. Could she touch her, hold her hand? Should she refrain from getting too close? God, I hate this. She exhaled a steady breath, gripping the counter as she calmed her nerves. Maybe if they’d had a real chance to talk last week, this meeting may have felt less intense.

A sudden hand placed on her shoulder had Eden’s body pin straight, Aster’s breath tickling the back of her neck. “Need a hand?”

Eden dropped the spoon she was holding to the counter, the clatter bringing her right back into the room. “N-no. I’ve got it.”

“Turn around, Eden.”

Eden did exactly that, breathless when she found Aster closer than she expected, her eyes holding her in place. “Is everything okay?”

Aster shrugged. “You tell me…”

“I want it to be.” Eden paused. “God, I want everything to be okay, but is it? Can it be? I feel so out of my depth with this.”

“You’re scared, and I completely get that, but I need you to always be honest with me, okay?”

“Last week when you came over was probably the most honest I’ve been with anyone.” It was true. Eden never discussed how she was feeling. And she certainly never took the first step with someone else like she had at the club. Maybe that was where she’d gone wrong all her life, waiting for the right person and the right moment. But with Aster, it was all different. She felt as though they were on an even footing in some ways.

“How do you want to do this, Eden?” Aster tucked Eden’s hair behind her ear, smiling as her fingers grazed her skin. “I mean, you’re not out. Nobody knows about this. Is that something you want to do? To be out?”

Dread filled Eden’s entire body. She hadn’t thought about that moment until now. “Shit. I don’t know.”