Page 112 of The Puck Stops Here
But it was there, in her horrified gaze.
‘You thought I was him, didn’t you? That’s why you…’ He choked on his own words. ‘Fuck. Of course you did.’
‘But your face… your stubble… yourtan…’
‘Un-fucking-believable!’ He launched to his feet. He wanted to puke. Fuck, he wanted to get the hell out of there and not come back.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t – it’s not… It was dark and you?—’
Her phone started to ring in her hand, and she glanced at the screen, her pallor deepening. ‘I’m really sorry, I need to take this.’
‘So long as you take it elsewhere, Foxy, I couldn’t care less.’
She stared at him, eyes rolling with emotion that he had no interest in responding to. The phone was still ringing, its liltgrating on his nerves. ‘Just go, Astrid. And while you’re at it, find yourfuckingglasses.’
She got to her feet, wobbling as she straightened. But he didn’t care. Hedidn’t.
She teetered to the door, gripped its frame and looked back – a moment’s glance full of… regret? Pity? Guilt? And then she was gone and his gut bottomed out.
Thiswas why he didn’t let people in.
Thiswas why he should remember who he was.
Thiswas why he refused to feel anything for a woman.
Because it hurt. Hurt likefuckwhen they let him down. Or worse, chose his brother over him.
Well, more fool him for caring.
And more fool her for getting it so wrong.
And damn Stella and his bro for suggesting he make some changes. Though he only had himself to blame for listening. To Stella, to Aiden, to Astrid… and his own body that had wanted so much more from her and dared to believe it was possible.
* * *
No-no-no-no-no-no-no…
It rambled through her mind, past her lips as Astrid raced into the elevator and slammed the button for ‘Ground’, the lurch to her stomach nothing to do with the speed of the lift and everything to do with Blake and Bella. Bella and Blake.
How could she have thought Blake was Aiden?
And what the hell was wrong with Bella?
Everything had been rosy on their call. Champagne central all night!
She glanced at the screen, Bella’s initial ‘Code Red’ message had been followed by two more:
Just Desserts WhatsApp Group. 10.39 EST.
Bella
Code red.
Code RED.
HELP! NOW!
And now Bella was ringing them all.
