Page 69 of The Pucking Wrong Man

And I’d used it as motivation each night when I followed her from Charlie’s back to the shelter.

It would certainly be more convenient when she was living with me. Traipsing all over the city on foot and in my truck had become more time consuming than my hockey schedule.

My lips twitched as Anastasia passed by me, her gaze intentionally focused straight ahead.

I’d come here tonight to give her one more chance to accept my help willingly. I wanted her to tell me what had happened. I wanted her to trust me to take care of her.

So far, all that wanting wasn’t making a difference. She was trying to push me away as best she could.

My phone buzzed, and I reluctantly tore my gaze from her delectable ass as she leaned over to wipe down a bench.

Ari: From now on, I would like a six-foot radius between you and Blake.

My eyebrow raised. Lancaster was a drama queen.

Me: Huh?

Ari: Why do you always act so confused when I say things to you?

Linc: Why do you always start off conversations with random things?

Ari: This is a rule that should be applied for everyone, including my bestie Monroe.

Linc: Monroe is not your bestie, Lancaster. No matter how many times you say it.

Me: Can Monroe be my bestie?

Walker: Listen, Hero, there’s only so much I can do to save you.

I could just picture Lincoln plotting my death with that comment. I couldn’t blame him. I was pretty sure that I would have the same reaction to any guy wanting to be Anastasia’s bestie now too.

Me: Back to the six-foot radius thing, though...

Ari: She said she thought you were sweet last night because she saw you give that little kid your jersey. Absolutely unacceptable. Blake isn’t allowed to think you’re sweet, Mr. Gird-Your-Loins.

“Mr. Gird-Your-Loins”...that was a new one. I wasn’t sure that I even knew what “gird” actually meant. I made a mental note to look it up.

Linc: I’ve instituted a six-foot rule as well. Actually, twelve.

Walker: Me too.

Ari: You can’t just agree to a rule because Lincoln does, Disney.

Walker: What if I’m agreeing with you?

Ari: That would be nice if I thought that was actually true.

I snorted at that one.

Me: Is the circle of trust just a club for crazy people who never finish their thoughts?

Ari: Wouldn’t you like to know.

Me: Gasp. You mean I’m not in the circle of trust yet?

Linc: What circle of trust...

Walker: ...

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