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“What I’m asking is…am I to keep my hands to myself? Do I have to avoid anything that would be considered flirting?”

Eden’s face morphed into a look Aster wasn’t sure she recognised. Fear? Apprehension? “I-I…” She looked around the restaurant, and then her eyes landed back on Aster. “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it.”

Aster held up a hand. It didn’t matter. What counted was that they were here at all. “You don’t need to worry about it. I completely get it.”

Eden sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to…”

“Eden, it’s okay.” She offered a genuine smile. She didn’t want Eden to feel uncomfortable. “Should we order some wine?”

“Yes, okay.” Eden lowered her eyes, closing them momentarily as she shook her head. Aster knew she wasn’t supposed to notice it, but she did. “You choose. I don’t mind what we have.”

Aster cleared her throat, sitting up straight. “No pressure here, okay?”

Eden nodded, the smallest of smiles playing on her lips. “Thank you.”

“Now. Let’s eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves.” Aster took the lead. She had to remember that Eden was putting things on the line here tonight.

“You look gorgeous, by the way.” Eden’s eyes pinned Aster, her focus not wavering.

“Thanks.”

* * *

Eden slid her credit card into the leather wallet, placing it on the edge of the table. Dinner had been exceptional, the company even better, but now it was over. What was she supposed to do? She didn’t want it to end. Aster had been the perfect date, and the fact that she was willing to understand Eden and her predicament meant the absolute world to her. It hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Eden, let me at least pay for half of it.” Aster slid her hand across the table, pulling it back when she realised what she was doing. Eden would love to hold her hand, but she wasn’t quite there yet. Not in public, anyway. “Sorry.”

“I asked you to dinner. That’s the end of it.”

Aster smiled. “Well, thank you. It was lovely.”

“So you know, I’m fully expecting you to invite me to dinner in the not-too-distant future.” Eden sat back in her seat, her fingers stroking the stem of her wine glass. “Since I’m not impressed that this date is over.”

Aster shrugged. “Doesn’t have to be.”

Oh, God. She’s going to suggest her place…or mine. “I have an early start tomorrow.” That was a complete lie, and Eden felt awful as it slid so easily from her mouth. Don’t do that. Aster wouldn’t appreciate it.

“Oh.” Aster sunk back against her seat. “Well, maybe another time then. I was looking forward to a walk along the dock.”

Eden’s eyebrows rose with surprise. “You wanted to take a walk?”

“Mmhmm. But I’m sure we can do it again. Maybe I need to check you don’t have plans the following morning first…”

Could she backtrack? Take Aster up on her offer of a walk? “I mean, I could walk with you.”

The waiter appeared, a single nod in Eden’s direction as he took the leather wallet. Eden focused back on Aster, watching her intently.

“You said you needed to get home.”

“I suppose I should take what I can get with you. I have a packed week coming up, and I’m away for four days of it.”

“Anywhere nice?” Aster asked, her tone holding an element of disappointment. But Eden felt the same. Not seeing Aster through the week was kinda shitty in her book, too.

“Business trip.”

“It’ll be nice to get out of the office.” Aster pushed her chair back when the waiter returned with Eden’s credit card. “You must get bored sitting there all day.”

“Until recently, yes.”