Page 49 of The Puck Stops Here

He stepped outside the restaurant and she watched him through the glass. Watched as he took the call. Watched as his frown deepened. Watched as he lowered the device to view what must be the video…

Take that, heartbreaker!

His eyes widened and flicked to her, but she was quicker to look away, sipping her drink. Nonchalant. Nothing to see here. Nothing at all. She suppressed a giggle as her own phone started to ping, and she picked it up.

Bella

I don’t believe it!

Sissi

I know

Astrid

Believe what?

Bella

Look at the comments…

Thecomments?!

Astrid turned the volume down and opened up the video beneath the table.My God, how many views?

She clicked on the comments and her mouth fell open.You’ve got to be kidding me.

The man was getting an outpouring oflove!

He wasn’t a bloody laughingstock.

He was a god!

This could not be happening.

She scrolled and scrolled, the love ever swelling and making her stomach roll.

His ego was meant to take a bashing, not receive a public stroking!

She glanced out the window, saw his shock turn to smugness as he too saw what she did. What Cheryl must do as well. That the Ice King being stood up was apparently the best PR move ever! And she’d bloody orchestrated it!

No-no-no-no-no…

Astrid

Sissi, what do you know about Aiden’s spice aversion?

Sissi

He ate a chilli dog once, the trots for days. Why?

Astrid

Stay tuned…

Aiden was still outside when the food arrived. It was a waiter this time. The waitress was probably too busy giving Aiden puppy-dog eyes through the glass…

‘I have one chicken easy on the spice,’ he said, ‘and one all in.’