Page 47 of The Puck Stops Here

Astrid

Hell no!

Bella

But it’s genius. One thing to be stood up. Another to have the world know it too.

Astrid

Yeah, but what do I do now? If I rock up, they might snap me next?

Bella

Would it matter?

Astrid

I guess not. But then they’ll know he was only left waiting…

Bella

Do you think anyone will care? That video is out there now, there’s no pulling it back.

Sissi

It’s made my day!!

And if it had made Sissi’s day, it had totally made Astrid’s too!

Pocketing her phone, she looked up to see the waitress once more at his side and took the opportunity to get across the road unseen.

Now to be suitably apologetic and not laud her lateness…

As she entered the restaurant, his gaze landed on her and he stood, his grin coming easy.Tooeasy. Didanythingshake this guy?

She hurried up to him, engaging the dazzles. ‘I’m so sorry I’m late.’

She set her coat and bag on the chair and without debating it, leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek.Allthe dazzles. ‘You must have thought you’d been stood up.’

His brow crinkled. ‘No, why would I think that?’

Because any guy with a normal sized ego would…

‘Ha!’ She gave a wave of her hand. ‘Why indeed!’

‘Can I get you a drink?’ the waitress asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she gave Astrid the once-over.

‘I’ll have what he’s having.’

‘I’m on the soda today, game tomorrow.’

‘Suits me fine.’

She smiled and sat as he did. ‘Have you chosen what you fancy?’

‘Yeah…’ Though he was distracted by his phone as it remained lit on the table, a flurry of notifications rolling in. Did he know? Had he seen the video? The lines in his brow deepened with each passing second…

‘Everything okay?’

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