Page 183 of Sin Bin

Dinner was purely relaxing and enjoyable. The conversation flowed naturally from one topic to another—the economy, politics, world affairs, local goings-on. They talked about the Rebels and the upcoming playoffs, and Meadow answered questions about her new job. The conversation was frequently punctuated by laughter and jokes. Every time Logan and Meadow expressed a millennial viewpoint, the others would tease them and call them young’uns.

Several times throughout dinner, Logan captured Meadow’s hand under the table and caressed her knuckles, sending a shiver up her arm as heat spread through her body. Without a word passing between them, she knew she wasn’t the only one looking forward to another night of explosive lovemaking.

But even as Logan kept her body in a constant state of tingling awareness, she didn’t miss the subtle undercurrents between the other two couples at the table.

At one point her father and Trish reached for a piece of bread at the same time, their hands brushing. Trish pulled hers away, laughing nervously and apologizing. When Harris picked up the piece of bread and offered it to her, she gave him a sweet smile that had him swallowing visibly.

And then there was Santino and Roxanne, who often completed each other’s sentences like an old married couple. Every time it happened, their eyes would meet and hold before Roxanne looked away. It was always Roxanne who broke eye contact. Never Santino.

Meadow didn’t know the circumstances that had caused their divorce, but she was rooting for them to reconcile because they clearly belonged together. So did her father and Trish. She knew that now, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

She couldn’t say with the same certainty that she and Logan belonged together. She supposed only time would tell.

After dinner everyone was waiting for the valet to bring their cars around. Roxanne and Trish were chatting like old friends and making lunch plans. Santino and Logan seemed to be having an intense father-son conversation, their heads bent close together as they spoke in Spanish.

Harris came up next to Meadow and draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. “I haven’t forgotten what Logan said back at the house.”

“About the Elvis chapel? C’mon, Dad, he was just joking. Seriously.”

Harris eyed her closely. “It’s every father’s dream to give his daughter away to the man she loves. Please don’t deprive me of that privilege.”

“I won’t, Dad,” Meadow promised. “I would never do that to you.”

“All right. I just want to make sure.”

“You don’t have to worry. Besides,” she added quickly, “Logan and I are nowhere close to being at that stage yet.”

Her father studied her with an intuitive gleam in his eyes. “Based on what I observed over dinner, I think Logan would strongly disagree with you.”

Her face warmed and her mouth went dry.

Harris touched her cheek and smiled. “Lacey would be so proud of the amazing young woman you’ve become. She always knew you were extraordinarily special. I know she’s watching from heaven and beaming with absolute joy.”

Touched beyond words, Meadow could only smile and blink back tears.

“I don’t know what I would have ever done if God hadn’t brought you into our lives,” her father continued. “You gave me something to live for after Lacey died. I couldn’t have gotten through that time without you.”

“Nor I you.” Meadow kissed his cheek and hugged him hard. “I love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.” He held her tightly, patting her back. After a long moment, she stepped away and smiled through her tears as Logan came up beside her.

Her father tweaked her nose, then pointed sternly to her and Logan. “Stay away from wedding chapels.”

They both laughed.

“Don’t worry, my friend,” Santino joked, playfully ruffling Logan’s hair. “These young’uns know better than to deprive us of a big splashy wedding in Santiago.”

Roxanne arched an eyebrow. “Who says they’re getting married in Santiago?”

Santino blinked at her. “That’s my home. Logan spent many wonderful summers there, and my family loves him. They’ll be expecting—”

“What about my family?” Roxanne challenged. “And what about Harris? Shouldn’t he get a say in the location of his daughter’s wedding?”

“You tell him, Roxanne,” Harris urged with a grin.

“What about a lovely destination wedding in Argentina?” Trish piped up cheerfully. “Logan has roots there.”

As the four adults bickered good-naturedly, Meadow shot an exasperated glare at Logan and mouthed, You started this!

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