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The next day Astrid woke determined to push Blake out and pull Aiden in.

She had a few days before she was due at the rink to interview the twins. A few days where she could do something karma-orientated, something without the distraction of Blake…

But what?

Caffeined up, a run under her belt, and in the zone, she pulled up the Titans schedule on her laptop. The team rarely had more than a day or two between games, and they were out of state tomorrow for two.

Today was her best bet and hot off the back of last night’s antics, she even had a way in.

Picking up her phone, she sent a message to Aiden.

Astrid

Sorry you had to dash last night, how about dinner for two on me tonight?

Dinner for two made clear she meant just them. And on her meant she was paying so he wouldn’t suggest extending the invite to Blake. She hoped.

Aiden

Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse…

She smiled. A swift response; that had to be a good sign.

Aiden

Just tell me when and where

A quick google and a few clicks later she had a table booked in one of the most exclusive and most romantic venues in Manhattan. She sent him the details, wondering whether he’d baulk at her choice.

Aiden

Fancy! See you there.

Her smile grew. She opened up WhatsApp:

Just Desserts WhatsApp Group 09.10 EST.

Astrid

Guess who has dinner with a certain Aiden Carter tonight… how long is too long to be late for a dinner date?

Bella

Haha! Fabulous! That was quick!

Astrid

What can I say I’m freaking irresistible!

Bella

Astrid

I won’t ask why you’re laughing…

Bella

And as much as Astrid would love to think that Aiden’s eagerness was all about her ‘irresistibility’, she knew it had more to do with sibling rivalry, their egos, and his desire to keep her sweet for the article. All of which she was more than happy to exploit in the name of karma.

Paige

Love it! Timewise, it all depends on whether you message him to let him know you’re going to be late…

Sissi

Ten years? Xx

Astrid gave a soft huff. I feel ya, honey.

And tonight, Sissi would get a little of her own back…

* * *

Astrid had never been purposefully late for anyone in her life, and it was harder than she’d envisaged. Every minute dragged and though she tried to use the time productively, working through her research for the article, she spent more time watching the clock than reading.

At fifteen minutes past her reservation time her phone went ping.

Aiden

I’m here, where are you?

She was right across the street in a cosy little bar, head half hidden by a cap. She’d seen him arrive. Seen him take up a seat at their table. Seen him order what looked like a club soda, peruse the menu for a spell before resorting to his phone.

Aiden

We did say 7p.m.?

Her fingers twitched to reply. Not yet, she could hear the girls urge.

At twenty-five minutes past, a waitress approached his table. He waved her away and messaged again.

Aiden

Is everything okay?

He looked out the window, his frown obvious even from this distance. Just a few more minutes…

She eased out of her booth and headed to the ladies, firing off a message as she went.

Astrid

Sorry! I got caught up with work – in the zone! Be with you shortly!

Take that with your passion and no time for love spiel, matey! A taste of your own medicine, right back atcha!

Buzzing on her teeny tiny victory, she snapped a shot of the convo and sent it to the girls. Then she stripped her cap, shook out her hair, topped up her makeup, and left the bar, pausing when her phone went ping ping ping ping.

She checked the screen…

Just Desserts WhatsApp Group. 19.43 EST.

Bella

Karma 1, Aiden 0

Sissi

love love LOVE!

Even better, have you seen this? https:// www. tiktok. com/@ puckbun2468/ video/ 12732637? q= AidenCarterDateless

I’m dying over here!

Bella

Oh my God, that is gold!!!

Astrid clicked the link and her screen filled with a clip of Aiden, sat alone at the table, Celine Dion’s rendition of ‘All by Myself’ playing out as a superimposed girl with bunny ears gave a rundown of the scene… an ice hockey all-star all bummed at being stood up. Stood up in real time.

OMG!

Sissi

Did you plan this?

Astrid

Hell no!

Bella

But it’s genius. One thing to be stood up. Another to have the world know it too.

Astrid

Yeah, but what do I do now? If I rock up, they might snap me next?

Bella

Would it matter?

Astrid

I guess not. But then they’ll know he was only left waiting…

Bella

Do you think anyone will care? That video is out there now, there’s no pulling it back.

Sissi

It’s made my day!!

And if it had made Sissi’s day, it had totally made Astrid’s too!

Pocketing her phone, she looked up to see the waitress once more at his side and took the opportunity to get across the road unseen.

Now to be suitably apologetic and not laud her lateness…

As she entered the restaurant, his gaze landed on her and he stood, his grin coming easy. Too easy. Did anything shake this guy?

She hurried up to him, engaging the dazzles. ‘I’m so sorry I’m late.’

She set her coat and bag on the chair and without debating it, leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. All the dazzles. ‘You must have thought you’d been stood up.’

His brow crinkled. ‘No, why would I think that?’

Because any guy with a normal sized ego would…

‘Ha!’ She gave a wave of her hand. ‘Why indeed!’

‘Can I get you a drink?’ the waitress asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she gave Astrid the once-over.

‘I’ll have what he’s having.’

‘I’m on the soda today, game tomorrow.’

‘Suits me fine.’

She smiled and sat as he did. ‘Have you chosen what you fancy?’

‘Yeah…’ Though he was distracted by his phone as it remained lit on the table, a flurry of notifications rolling in. Did he know? Had he seen the video? The lines in his brow deepened with each passing second…

‘Everything okay?’

‘Huh?’ He glanced up at her. ‘Oh yeah sure.’

The waitress placed her drink down. ‘Are you ready to order?’

‘I am,’ he said, his stomach giving a growl as if on cue.

‘You order first,’ she said, having no idea what she fancied as she stared unseeing at the menu; she was too hyped to fancy anything.

‘I’ll have the chicken fusion, but easy on the spice.’

‘Not a fan?’ Astrid asked.

‘ It’s not a fan of me.’

‘An allergy?’ the waitress asked.

‘More a mild aversion.’

Astrid was taking notes…

‘I’ll have the same. But all the spice. I like it hot.’

She held Aiden’s gaze as she said it, keeping his focus as the waitress took their menus away.

‘So…’ he said, placing his phone aside. ‘Work kept you away, hey?’

She gave a sanguine smile. ‘I knew you’d understand, what with your passion for the game and all.’

His eyes sharpened, a flicker of amusement dancing around his mouth… or was that a slight prickle in his ego? ‘Can I ask what you were working on?’

‘What do you think? Or rather, who do you think?’

‘Anything you want to talk about?’

‘So much, but…’ It was far easier to flirt over small talk. ‘Let’s save it for the interviews and keep tonight light.’

His phone started to ring, and he cut if off, only to have it start up again and he smothered a curse.

‘Is something up?’

‘It seems a video of me is going viral.’

‘It is? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?’

‘I don’t know yet.’

‘What kind of video?’

‘I don’t know that either.’

She glanced at the screen, saw Cheryl’s name flashing up. ‘If your publicist is after you, you should probably go and deal with it.’

‘Would you mind?’

‘I kept you waiting for almost an hour, I think you can step out and deal with this while I wait.’

He was on his feet before she’d finished. ‘Thanks.’

She pressed her lips together. Here we go…

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…

The comments ?!

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 of love !

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.’

‘Easy on the spice, please.’ She beamed up at him, her smile growing as he set both dishes down and she could see they looked identical. ‘Thank you so much.’

Aiden returned to the table, his grin too wide to ignore.

‘I take it things are okay then?’

‘Better than okay!’

Christ , he looked smugger than ever as he took up his cutlery.

‘And this looks delicious.’

He tucked in with gusto and slowly she took up her cutlery, her insides smiling with glee. That’s right, buddy, eat up!

Thirty minutes later and sporting a shiny grimace on his once smug face, he was doing the clenched butt walk into an awaiting taxi, his apology hurried and harried and music to Astrid’s ears as she snapped a surreptitious clip and sent it to her girls.

Astrid

[image] Karma is an arse on fire

Sissi

OMG! I fluffing love you!

Astrid

Love you too babe Nite nite! xx