Page 312 of Sin Bin

Some girls used shopping as a cure for heartbreak.

Others drowned their pain in ice cream and margaritas.

Meadow lost herself in the stars.

Astronomy had always been her passion and refuge. The mysteries of the universe were an endless source of fascination for her. They never disappointed her, never betrayed her trust or broke her heart.

On Saturday night, she packed her telescope and headed to the local observatory for a star party in the park. She hadn’t been back there since the night of the astronomical society’s cocktail reception.

As she drove, she was swamped by memories of Logan. She remembered his jealousy over Ephraim, his boorish possessiveness. She remembered their heated argument in the car and the explosive sexual encounter that had followed.

By the time she reached the observatory, the weight of her sorrow hit her like a meteor slamming into Earth. She barely managed to park her car before she burst into tears.

She was hunched over the steering wheel sobbing her eyes out when she heard a knock on her window.

Startled, she lifted her head and looked outside. She almost died of mortification when she saw Ephraim standing there.

She quickly swiped at her eyes and fumbled to put her new glasses back on, then buzzed down the window.

“Hey, Meadow.” Ephraim’s concerned eyes searched her tear-streaked face. “Are you okay?”

She nodded vigorously, even though she was clearly not okay.

He looked inside her car. “Flying solo tonight?”

She swallowed hard and nodded. She hadn’t found her voice yet.

“Well, it’s good to see you again.” Ephraim smiled and glanced over his shoulder. “Looks like the star party will be starting soon. Are you coming?”

She looked toward the small crowd gathered in the park. The prospect of socializing suddenly felt like a daunting chore.

“I’m guessing you’re not in the mood anymore,” Ephraim said astutely.

“Not really,” she admitted ruefully.

He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Have you had dinner yet? There’s a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try, if you’d like to join me?”

She bit her lip. “Um, I don’t think—”

“I have no expectations,” he assured her. “I’m just looking for a good meal and good conversation. Nothing more.”

She stared up at him, considering his offer. She didn’t want to lead him on, but he seemed like a nice guy and she appreciated his intelligence. Maybe talking astronomy with him would help take her mind off her troubles for a while. Maybe they could even be friends.

“No pressure,” he reiterated.

After another hesitation, she acquiesced with a small nod.

“Great!” He grinned. “I can drive—”

“Um, I’d rather follow you.”

He looked a little disappointed, but he smiled and nodded. “I’m parked right over there. I’ll pull around.”

“Okay.” She watched as he strutted to a white BMW and climbed behind the wheel.

She followed him out of the parking lot and onto the highway, driving like an automaton. She didn’t pay attention to where they were going until they’d almost reached their destination. When she realized he was taking her to Logan’s favorite Cuban restaurant, her stomach twisted in a painful knot. The universe was determined to torture her tonight.

As she steered into the parking lot, she saw that the popular little restaurant was doing its usual brisk business. After circling the lot twice, she pulled into the first spot she could find.

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