Page 28 of Sin Bin

“It’s not a big deal—”

“It is to me.”

“Not to me. I make a shit ton of money.” At her raised eyebrow, Logan shrugged. “Not bragging. Just stating a fact. Spending a hundred bucks on a DNA test isn’t gonna send me to the poorhouse.”

“Hmm. Well, I appreciate your offer, but I’m good. Really.” Meadow rested her head against the back of the couch and gave him a soft smile. “I was so pleased to learn that you were adopted by Mr. Tavárez from the group home. How’s he doing?”

Logan smiled. “He’s doing well. He works as a scout for the Washington Capitals.”

“Really? I knew he was no longer with Family Services, but I didn’t know where he’d gone off to.”

Their conversation was interrupted when the waitress brought them fresh drinks. She took her time collecting their empty glasses, leaning way over to let Logan get a good look down her blouse. She was so annoyingly obvious that Meadow couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

Not that the waitress noticed. All her focus was on Logan.

“Let me know if you need anything else,” she purred and winked at him before sashaying off, hips swinging in her short skirt.

Meadow didn’t realize she was scowling until she caught the amused look on Logan’s face.

“Problem?” he drawled.

Her scowl deepened. “I’ve never been a waitress, but I’m pretty sure flirting with a customer’s date is a terrible way to earn a tip.”

Logan’s eyes gleamed. “Are we on a date, Jupiter?”

“No, but she doesn’t know that.”

“I’m sure she figured it out.”

“How?”

Logan gestured to the space between them. “People on dates don’t sit this far apart.”

Meadow huffed. “I don’t have to be sitting on your lap for people to assume we’re on a date.”

“True,” he agreed, eyes glinting mischievously. “But it might help.”

A flush of heat climbed up her face. “I’m not sitting on your lap.”

“Sure you don’t wanna try it?” He patted his muscular thigh. “I have a very nice lap.”

It shocked her how badly she wanted to take him up on his invitation. But who could blame her? The man’s thighs were totally droolworthy. So was the rest of him.

“C’mon,” he cajoled with that devilish grin. “You know you want to.”

She managed a snort. “No, thanks. I’ll pass.”

He laughed and drank from his glass, watching her over the rim with a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

She picked up her drink but didn’t take a sip. For all she knew the waitress might have spit in it out of spite. “Anyway, where were we? Oh, yeah, we were talking about Mr. Tavárez.”

Logan nodded, lowering his glass to his knee.

Meadow smiled. “I remember him being the only adult who could get through to you.”

Logan’s answering smile was warm. “I wouldn’t have a hockey career if it weren’t for Santino. He’s the one who made me start playing in the first place. And he didn’t stop there. He took me to practices, attended my games, hired me a trainer, found sponsors to pay for my fees and hockey equipment. As if that weren’t enough, when I turned eleven, he adopted me and gave me a home when no one else would. As I got better at hockey, he invited scouts to my games. Before I knew it, I was getting calls and visits from agents and coaches all the way from Canada. When I turned sixteen, I got drafted into the Ontario Hockey League. Santino quit his job, packed up and moved to Canada just to look after me and keep me on the straight and narrow.”

“Wow,” Meadow marveled, thoroughly amazed. “Sounds like he was there for you every step of the way.”

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