Page 122 of The Puck Stops Here

‘He saw an opportunity and he took it, knowing I wouldn’t be happy about it, but doing it anyway… the story of my life.’

‘Leo looked happy though. Fin said he was buzzing and the photos he captured… they truly are special.’

‘Yeah, well.’ He edged away. ‘They’re not getting used.’

‘Why?’

‘Because what I’m doing, I’m doing for Leo. For him and his mom, not for me.’

His words came back to her.In my experience, people only care when there’s something in it for them.

He didn’t want people thinking he’d done it to gain from it. That the world, or worse, Leo and his mother, would think it a selfish deed when it had been anything but…

My God.Could she adore this man more?

‘What you chose to do that came from here…’ She dared to place her palm over his heart. ‘Just because the world learns of it, doesn’t mean it suddenly becomes all about you, for you. It doesn’t change what you did, what youaredoing.’

He lifted her hand away, the gesture as cutting as any verbal attack.

‘It changes it for me.’

‘It shouldn’t, and you should let them decide. Leo and Chantelle. Because if I were them, I’d want to do this for you. I’d want to give something back. I’d want to give the world an insight into the real you, not the media’s sensationalised version, but you. Good, kind,you.’

He fell silent, eyes tumultuous but softening.

‘Just think about it, Blake. Please.’

Silence, then, ‘I’m not making any promises, and I’d need to talk to them first.’

‘Works for me,’ she said gently, grateful to have him consider it, grateful all the more to sense him thawing towards her. ‘And FYI, you must be a great teacher because that kid… if I had a smidge of what he has, I’d be in my element.’

He gave her a hint of his lopsided grin. ‘It helps to have a student who listens and follows instruction.’

‘Are you suggesting that’s not me?’ she teased, pouncing on the opportunity to lighten the mood.

The smile crept into his eyes, their sparkle everything in that moment.

‘Ask me again after our hour is up.’

She did a double take, expecting something cheeky and getting something so much better. ‘You’regoing to teach me?’

‘That’s why you’re here isn’t it?’

‘But do you not want to give Aiden hell for setting you up?’

‘I can do that later. Right now, you’re due a lesson and I’m more than capable of giving it to you. Unless you think I’m not up to the task.’

‘Iknowyou’re more than capable, I’ve just told you as much.’

‘So, what’s the problem?’

She couldn’t believe he was offering. After everything she’d done, after everything he’d just divulged against his will too.

Was this an olive branch? His way of saying let bygones be bygones…

And if it is, what are you doing debating it?

Get your bloody skates on!

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