Page 85 of The Pucking Wrong Man

And just like then, there was a tangible heat in his gaze. He stepped forward, his fist clenching at his side before he squeezed his eyes shut briefly and took a deep breath and stepped away.

Like he was trying to hold himself back.

I wasn’t sure I wanted him to hold back though.

Camden finally opened his mouth and hesitated, before sighing. “Goodnight, Anastasia,” he murmured, and I wondered what he’d really wanted to say.

“Goodnight,” I whispered as he left the room.

I kneed onto the bed, sliding beneath the covers before I grabbed the mug and sipped it greedily, staring in wonder at my surroundings.

If this was a dream, it was the best one I’d ever had.

And I really wished it didn’t have to end tomorrow.

CHAPTER 16

CAMDEN

Iwas waiting in the kitchen with a full breakfast spread out on the counter, when I finally looked at my phone for the first time since the...dog incident. I scrolled through last night’s messages as I waited for Anastasia to come out of her room, my amusement growing with every text.

Logan: Mayday. Mayday. Geraldine just pulled out a blindfold. Send help.

Linc: Just play along. She’ll probably take out her teeth in a minute, and you’ll be golden.

Ari: That’s my bestie you’re talking about, Lincoln Daniels.

Linc: Blake know you’ve picked someone up?

Ari: I’m positive she’ll understand.

Walker: Why do I feel like I’m missing out tonight?

Ari: Just worry about learning the proper breathing technique, Disney. Hee, Hee, Ho, Ho.

Logan: WHY AREN’T YOU ALL MORE WORRIED ABOUT THIS. She just poured me one of those purple drinks. I’m not convinced it’s safe to drink. I’m pretty sure it’s just straight vodka with food coloring.

Linc: But it glows...so it can’t be that bad.

Logan: ???? I will remember this next time any of you need help.

Ari: Except, I don’t think you actually need help, Rookie. Geraldine seems like the kind of party you’d never want to end.

Linc: ...

Another text had come in around when Lincoln and Ari would have been trying to catch the dogs.

Ari: Camden Motherfucking James! Fifi just fucking bit me. On the leg. She missed my dick by two inches!

Linc: Well, his name is Fluffy. So that might have been why he bit you.

Ari: Okay, Fluffy just ran away again. Was there coke in that meat you fed him? He’s like a speed demon. I’m sweating, James. And it’s thirty fucking degrees out here.

Ari: WHY AREN’T YOU ANSWERING?

Linc: ?

Ari: I’m on the ground on 7th Street. This is the end. You’ll have to go on without me.

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