Page 7 of The Puck Stops Here

‘You know, tits or arse.’

Bella choked on a laugh, but Astrid was pretty sure Paige would get it if she’d been able to join the Just Desserts group video call she’d left running on the off chance she’d wake up for it.

‘If you say so…’ Bella murmured, lowering her gaze to the laptop and angling her head this way and that as she studied Research Exhibit C, a collage of Aiden Carter’s ex-girlfriends.

Astrid joined her on the bed, did the same. Nope. It was no good. These ladies were giving nothing away. Maybe it was because most of them dressed like they were attending church. An uber glam, designer-gear-only church. A church for fashionistas, if there ever was such a thing.

‘Do we have to talk anatomy on his exes?’ came Sienna’s disembodied voice.

‘Sissi, finally!’ Astrid clicked on the video call and her little square joined the collage – how apt. ‘You made it!’

‘At the wrong time by the sound of it.’

‘Sorry, babe.’ Astrid gave her an apologetic smile. ‘But if I’m gonna reel him in I need to nail my image; it’s essential I get this right for Operation Heartbreak to work.’

‘I know,’ she grumbled. ‘So long as you don’t nail him.’

‘Ha!’ Bella said, hopping off the bed and reaching for the wine bottle. ‘Can you imagine?’

‘Absolutely not.’ Astrid gave an exaggerated shudder. ‘This is all about treating him mean, keeping him keen and then cutting him loose. No communication. Nada.’

‘Cheers to that,’ Bella said, upending the bottle and earning a dribble. ‘Oh shit, we’re out.’

Both Sienna and Astrid erupted on a laugh.

‘What?’ Bella asked, wide eyed.

‘Did you just say shit?’ Sienna said.

‘Maybe.’

Astrid shook her head, affection filling her chest for the woman who was swiftly becoming a sister from another mister. She was so glad she was living in the same city for a spell, her uncle’s apartment giving her the perfect base from which to work while infiltrating the Titans… And this was Bella’s home turf. It also happened to be where a certain Chase Miller was launching a brand new art gallery.Hewas far too close for comfort, but thanks to Bella, comfort was the last thing he’d be experiencing any time soon.

‘I fear we’ve corrupted you, B.’

‘It was long overdue,’ she declared, swinging the empty bottle. ‘I was tired of being Miss Goody Two-Shoes anyway. Now, wine?’

‘Please. There’s plenty of choice in the kitchen.’

Bella swept from the room and Astrid lowered her gaze to the laptop. She frowned as Sissi gnawed on her bottom lip. ‘Are you having second thoughts, love?’

‘Not so much second thoughts…’ She ran a hand through her blonde ponytail and tugged it over one shoulder. ‘It’s strange though, to think that in less than twenty-four hours you’ll be in the same room as him.’

For you and me both, she wanted to say. The meeting had her feeling kind of squiffy too.

She had known so little about him when she’d made her promise. She’d been too high on alcohol, sugary treats, a frenzied snowbound airport and the buzz of a newfound friendship. She’d been bold and brave and desperate to play her part.

Then she’d googled him at the earliest opportunity. And Aiden Carter had become more than just a 2D sundae-eating, ice hockey all-star pin-up with a dodgy break-up against his name. He’d become a real person with a backstory, a family, a famed reputation… and a very selective dating history.

A history that suggested Astrid was going to have to do more than alter her look if she was going to win him over. She was going to have to undergo a personality transplant.

‘There’s still time to change your mind, Sissi. I can back out of the Titans meeting?’

‘No.’ She lifted her chin. ‘It’s been ten years and it’s still there eating away at me. After everything we’d gone through together, everything we’d shared, everything that…’ She broke off, her beautiful blue eyes awash with unshed tears and Astrid wanted to reach inside the screen and hug her.

‘I know, honey, I know.’

‘I just want him to feel what it’s like. At least on some level. To be ghosted.’

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