Page 86 of Sin Bin

While she was searching Google, he pulled out his phone to order the pizza.

“What’re you doing?” she sputtered protestingly. “I told you I’m treating.”

“Not necessary. Also you’re new in town. You don’t know all the good spots.” He put his phone to his ear. “What toppings do you want?”

She sighed. Arguing with him was futile. “Pepperoni is fine. I’m easy.”

He winked. “We’ll get one with pepperoni and the other with a bunch of meat.”

“Mmkay.” She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed when he finished the lollipop and tossed the stick in the trash. She really needed to get her hormones under control.

They stood chatting at the island while they waited for their food. Meadow had been dying to ask him about the Children’s Odyssey Ranch since learning that he was the anonymous founder. She knew he’d never fess up to it if she asked him. She’d have to trick him into telling her.

Toying with the end of her ponytail, she said very casually, “Another place where I’ve volunteered is the Children’s Odyssey Ranch.”

A flicker of pleasure lit his eyes. “You’ve volunteered there?”

“I have. Are you familiar with it?”

He nodded, watching her face. “Did you have a good experience?”

“For the most part. But…” She trailed off with a sigh.

Logan tensed imperceptibly. “But what?”

“Well…” She crossed her fingers behind her back, praying for forgiveness for the awful lies she was about to tell. “I realize that the place is humongous, but I thought the grounds and stables could have been better maintained. And I’m no equestrian, but the horses seemed a wee bit ornery. I don’t know if they were just having a bad day or what, but they weren’t as kid-friendly as I would have preferred. Same goes for the grumpy old stable manager. He was all, ‘Hey, you kids, get off my lawn!’”

Logan’s expression didn’t change, but a tiny muscle tightened in his jaw and his eyes narrowed with displeasure.

She watched him carefully. “The planetarium was very nice, but what good is having one if the projectors frequently malfunction?”

Logan had heard enough. Grabbing his phone, he gave her a terse nod and muttered, “Excuse me.”

Before he could stalk out of the kitchen, she blurted out, “Wait! I was just joking!”

He stopped and looked back at her. “What did you say?”

“April Fool’s!”

His brows slammed together. “You were joking?”

“Yes! Of course!” She hastened to explain herself. “I know you founded the children’s ranch, but I knew you’d never admit it to me. So I decided to bait you into outing yourself.”

He didn’t look amused.

A fresh wave of guilt swept through her. “I’m sorry. That was a terrible April Fool’s joke. Terrible and tasteless. Please forgive me.”

His lips twitched as he came back to the island. “I forgot it was April Fool’s Day. And, yes, that was a terrible joke.”

“I’m so sorry.” She bit her lip remorsefully. “If it’s any consolation, nothing I said about the ranch was remotely true. In fact, everything is the complete opposite of what I said. The grounds are impeccably landscaped, the staff members are super caring and attentive, the facilities are top-notch—especially that state-of-the-art planetarium. Oh my gosh, it’s amazeballs! And the horses were absolutely delightful, every last one. Seriously, Logan. The ranch is phenomenal. All the kids seemed very happy there.”

Logan’s expression softened. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”

“I meant every word,” she said earnestly.

“I appreciate that. The joke, not so much.”

She put her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle. “The look on your face…oh my God, Logan. You looked like you were about to call and curse somebody out!”

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