Page 77 of The Puck Stops Here

‘I don’t know anything for certain.’

‘And you can’t go telling Si something like that unless youknowknow. She’s been through enough misplaced hope.’

‘I know, you’re right.’

‘I’m always right.’

Astrid chuckled. ‘Does Chase know this yet?’

Bella coloured a little. ‘He’s a slow learner, but he’ll get there.’

‘How are things going in Chase land and the gallery?’

Astrid eased back into the bubbles and let Bella recant her endeavours so far, enjoying the twinkle in her friend’s eye and happy that she was happy. Or at least, happier than the jilted bride she’d been at the airport a month ago…

Perhaps knowing that Olly was getting his comeuppance in Cornwall had put that twinkle there or Bella’s own karma mission. Either way, Astrid was glad of it.

She just needed to get her own twinkly toes back on track now…twinkly toes, urgh!

Those Carter men had a lot to answer for. One more than the other. No prizes for guessing which…

12

‘What do you think about inviting her to Sunday dinner?’

Blake yanked out his earbuds and stared at his brother like he’d just suggested they take up figure skating. ‘What?’

‘Astrid?’

‘I know who you meant, I just?—’

He lowered his voice as he registered the late hour and his teammates snoozing up and down the plane. Their flight out of LA had been delayed and they were all cranky as fuck. Not least because they’d lost in sudden death to the Kings the night before and they were all desperate to get home. Hence why he was plugged in, music blaring, eager to block out the world and everyone in it.

And now his brother was throwing himthiscurve ball.

‘Have you been sniffin’ the Zamboni fumes?’

‘Why?’

‘Because whenever we manage to sort a Sunday roast, Mom is with us. And last I checked we weren’t letting her anywhere near Mom. Or are you saying we cook up a roast just for her? That’s some special kind of ass-licking, bro.’

‘No, no ass-licking. As for Mom meeting her, that’s how I felt before we knew her, but I don’t know, she seems nice. I think Mom would like her. And I think it will look good for you – sorry,us– if she saw us in our natural environment.’

Blake twisted in his seat so he could give his bro the full weight of his stare. ‘Are you trying to sound like David Attenborough?’

His brother gave a low laugh. ‘Look, she’s going to be hanging out with us at the rink…’

‘Our home away from home.’

‘But I figure it makes sense for her to see us in our actual home, doing normal stuff.’

‘Like feeding Mom a roast?’

‘Well let’s face it, Mom does the feeding, we just provide the setting.’

‘But you know Mom prefers her kitchen.’

‘Good point. So how about dinner at ours and Sunday roast at Mom’s? That way she gets to witness the lot.’

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