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“Has Blair ever expected you to make everything perfect?”

“That’s not the point. If she didn’t trust me deep down, which she clearly doesn’t, why has she spent the last two years with me? Why did she ask me to live with her, agree to be my wife, if she doesn’t fully trust me the moment someone comes along and smiles in my direction?”

Aster sat forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Imagine a world where Blair doesn’t exist. For one minute, just put yourself in a place where you live alone, play football, and go to work. Blair isn’t in your life, she doesn’t call or hang out with you, and you see one another occasionally in passing.”

Dom’s bottom lip trembled, her eyes squeezed shut.

“I know she’s really hurt you, mate. And I can’t imagine how it feels to be accused of cheating on your fiancée, but you and Blair are made for one another. If you can find it inside you to forgive her, I think you should at least try. Because I can’t visualise you two apart.”

“Can I take you up on that offer of your place? Just for a couple of nights?” Dom wiped the back of her hand across her cheek.

“You know you can.” Aster took her keys from her jacket pocket, sliding them across the table. “Make yourself at home, and when you’re ready, call her.”

“I…I will.”

“You two will get through this. If you don’t, there’s no hope for any of us.”

“How’s Eden?” Dom asked, relaxing her shoulders ever so slightly. “Are you two getting on?”

“Really well. Amazing, actually.” Aster was certain Dom didn’t need to hear how fantastic her relationship was, but Dom wouldn’t have asked if she wasn’t interested. “Except for her mum. They’re not speaking.”

“What? Why?”

“Because Eden is with me. A woman.” Aster felt her own issues surface, but she didn’t want to think too hard about them. Whether Angela was on board or not, it didn’t change their relationship. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“But Angela was great when I met her with Blair.”

Aster shrugged. “I guess it’s different when it’s your own flesh and blood. I don’t know.”

“Nah. Blair won’t have that. They’re like sisters, and she thinks a lot of Angela. Leave it with her, and she’ll fix it.”

“You two have enough to deal with. It really doesn’t matter.”

Dom shook her head, reaching forward for Aster’s hand. “You’ve sat here with me when you didn’t have to. Give me a few days to figure my own shit out, and then I’ll deal with yours. Eden deserves to be happy, and Angela will have to come to terms with that.”

Aster cleared her throat. This evening wasn’t about her and Eden. “Drink up, and I’ll drop you off at my place.”

“Hey,” Dom said, dipping her head and finding Aster’s eyes. “Thanks for coming here. I really appreciate it.”

“Wouldn’t see you struggling, mate. Remember that.”

“I know.” Dom lifted a beer mat from the table, fidgeting with it. “I…always say goodnight to Blair. Feels kinda weird knowing I won’t even see her tonight.”

Aster smiled. There wasn’t a single world where Dom wouldn’t forgive Blair. Yes, she was angry, and that was completely understandable, but Aster knew they’d be back on form soon. “She’s with Eden. At the apartment.”

“R-right.”

“Maybe you could come back with me? Test the water…maybe try talking to one another on neutral ground?”

Dom narrowed her eyes as she ripped the beer mat, shredding it and watching it fall against the wood. “I don’t know. I’m really pissed off with her.”

“Tell you what, I’ll get us another beer and then we’ll go from there. We can cab it back.”

Dom simply nodded, tears in her eyes. “Yeah. I just need a bit more time. I don’t want to see her and be angry. I never want to be angry with her.”

“I’ll go the bar. This can all be solved, don’t worry.”

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