Page 56 of The Puck Stops Here

‘You happy to do it here?’ she asked. ‘Or would you prefer the stools?’

‘Here is good.’

She sat as he did, accepting the drink he offered out to her. ‘Thank you. Do you mind if I record our conversation?’

She gestured to her phone on the table and he followed her gaze, the bob of his throat the only indication he was in any way ill at ease.

‘I promise I won’t use anything you ask me not to, I just find it saves me having to stop all the time so my notes can catch up.’

He gave a weak smile. ‘I’m surprised you bother with pen and paper these days.’

‘Force of habit. I like having something in my hand to twiddle with.’

His eyes fired. ‘There are so many things I could say to that.’

‘I’m sure there are…’ She bit her lip, karma at war with the professional. ‘But then I’d have to accuse you of stalling.’

‘Never. Though before we get started, I will say, it’s good to see you looking more prepared for the rink today; my brother was worried you’d catch your death.’

‘Blake was worried?’

Don’t get all giddy about it!

‘Sure. And he has a point. We wouldn’t want you getting ill while you’re following us about. And let’s face it, the sneakers are a much safer bet.’

She wagged her toes. ‘No more having to save me from these twinkle toes, hey?’

‘Not that I minded breaking your fall.’

‘You like coming to my rescue, Ice?’

‘You think I make a good knight in shining armour, Sinclair?’

Absolutely not.Steel shot through her spine with the honest answer she couldn’t give. Because no knight would have bailed on Sissi like he had.

He made a good flirt though. A flirt who was skilled at turning questions back on her and avoiding a straight answer. Well, two could play at that game.

‘Do you often spend your time rescuing damsels in distress?’

‘Is that a question for the article?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Depends on the woman who needs rescuing.’

Sienna!she wanted toscream, but again, she knew she couldn’t.

‘Your mother, perhaps?’

He stiffened in his seat, the smile leaving his eyes, his lips…

‘Straight in there like a true reporter.’

‘You’re not the only one who’s good at their job.’ She softened it with a smile. ‘You gave me a lead and I took it. Though we can park that conversation for later if it suits and talk about other women who might have played a role in your life.’

Like Sienna…because ifhementioned her, then Astrid could too.

‘My mother is the most important woman in my life. And like I told you yesterday, my father was a brute. A drunk. A nasty piece of work who took out his inferiority complex on everyone else.’

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