Page 70 of The Pucking Wrong Man

Ari: ...

I really needed to figure out what “…” meant one of these days. The meaning seemed to change by the day, though.

Me: I’ve got chills, Mr. Spooky Sexy.

Me: So...what does one do to get into the so-called circle of trust?

Linc: You used “so” twice in that sentence.

Ari: That’s not a circle of trust move.

Me: So the circle of trust involves proper English?

Walker: You used “so” again.

Me: Can everyone focus?

Linc: Well, you didn’t use “so,” that’s an improvement.

Ari: You can teach an old dog new tricks.

Me: I’m not old!

Walker: Is there an age cap for the circle? I’ve never seen the rule book.

Ari: Good question, Dis.

Walker: I thought we decided “Disney” was already nickname enough.

Me: Speaking of nicknames, what’s yours, Lancaster? Nicknames seem to be a theme in the “circle of trust.”

Ari: Why did you put quotations around circle of trust?

Linc: Yeah, it’s almost like you’re mocking the circle, James.

Me: Why do I feel like I need to check if my doors are locked now, gentlemen?

Linc: ...

Ari: ...

Walker: …

Shaking my head I set the phone down just as Anastasia slid into the bench seat across from me.

“What are you doing here?” she asked brusquely.

“Why don’t you ask the question you really want to ask,” I commented, tilting my head as I soaked in her beauty.

“What do you mean?” Anastasia wrinkled her nose up in adorable confusion as she stared at me, and I lost my train of thought admiring the crystal clearness of her eyes.

I’d never seen eyes like hers before.

“Camden!”

I blinked, realizing I hadn’t answered her question.

“Why don’t you ask me where I’ve been?” I said calmly.

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