Page 40 of Sin Bin

“Will do.” He hung up.

She lowered the phone and sagged against the door, her heart knocking against her ribs.

It was just a coincidence that the only company that had contacted her was located in the same city where Logan lived.

It didn’t mean fate had brought her back to him.

It didn’t mean they were destined to reunite like star-crossed lovers in some rom-com.

That was what she told herself. That was what she believed.

But it was hard to keep her mind from replaying her aunt’s earlier words.

When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.

Chapter Eight

LOGAN

He worked his ass off in practice, laying it all on the ice.

Afterward in the locker room, Coach walked past his stall and said gruffly, “Good to see you focused again, Brassard. Keep it up.”

“Yes, sir,” Logan grunted, peeling off his sweaty jersey.

After showering and changing, he left the locker room with Hunter, Reid and Viggo.

As they were walking down the hallway toward the exit, Hunter clapped Logan on the shoulder. “So tell us more about Meadow.”

Logan laughed. “Let’s get some grub first. I’m starving.”

They hopped into their trucks and headed to their favorite mom-and-pop diner down the street from the team’s practice arena. Dunwoody’s was owned by an elderly African-American couple named Ambrose and Clodine Dunwoody. The husband and wife were civil rights activists and beloved pillars of the community. Their little diner was renowned for serving the best chicken and waffles in town. But everything on the menu was good, from the big hearty lunches to the homemade desserts.

Mrs. Dunwoody was at the front counter when Logan, Hunter, Reid and Viggo walked through the door. Her welcoming smile beamed warmth at them as she bustled around the counter to hug them. A tiny slip of a woman with a cloud of silver hair framing her face, she treated them like her own grandsons and always made sure their regular booth was available.

“Oh, Hunter,” she said excitedly, grabbing his arm. “Ambrose finished the latest book you recommended, and he absolutely loved it. He’s at the dentist right now, but he’s bursting at the seams to share his thoughts with you. He said he’d call you later.”

“Awesome. Looking forward to it,” Hunter said with a grin. When he wasn’t playing hockey, he almost always had his nose buried in a book. Thick doorstopper books penned by intellectuals and philosophers—the kind of reading that put Logan to sleep.

Mrs. Dunwoody turned her attention to Reid and Viggo, dividing a grin between them. “So how are the wedding plans coming along?”

“Good, good.” Reid and Viggo looked as happy as pigs in shit. Logan had never met two dudes so eager to turn in their bachelor cards. It was crazy.

“Nadia and Scarlett are going to make such beautiful brides,” Mrs. Dunwoody gushed, clasping her hands together. “I can’t wait to see their dresses.”

“Neither can they.” Reid grinned. “They’re flying to New York next week to meet with Asha Dubois. Nadia will be trying on her dress, and Scarlett’s getting measured for hers.”

“Oh, how exciting! They must be so thrilled to have their wedding gowns made by a famous fashion designer. They’re going to look like royalty.” Mrs. Dunwoody elbowed Hunter and Logan in the ribs and winked playfully. “Now we just have to find princesses for the two of you.”

Hunter smiled.

Logan laughed outright.

Mrs. Dunwoody chortled and patted his cheek before she went back around the counter. “You all go on and get seated. Dionne will be right over to take care of you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused.

As they headed toward their booth, other diners waved and called greetings to them. They were regulars there, so no one ever bothered them for autographs or interrupted their meal to offer unsolicited opinions on how they were playing. They were pretty much left in peace, which was cool.

---