She remembered the feel of rock-hard muscles flexing beneath his designer suit. What had her aunt called him? Grade A prime beefcake.
Grinning at the thought, she sat on the edge of the clawfoot tub. “So what’d you eat for breakfast?”
Logan chuckled at the question. “I had an omelet, wheat toast and a bowl of oatmeal with raisins and nuts. What about you?”
“I haven’t eaten yet. Aunt Rosalie’s making breakfast.”
“Is she a good cook?”
“Um...let’s just say she hasn’t poisoned anyone yet.”
Logan burst out laughing. The deep, rumbling sound made her nipples tingle and sent heat blooming through her pelvis.
“Damn,” he teased. “Not exactly a ringing endorsement.”
“That’s okay,” Meadow said with a grin. “She might not be the Barefoot Contessa, but she’s amazing in every other way.”
“Aww. That’s sweet.”
“And totally true.” Meadow smiled, staring down at the bath toys scattered at the bottom of the tub. “So what’re you doing after practice?”
“Depends,” Logan drawled. “What time do you think you’ll be back from sightseeing?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“I thought we could hang out again before I leave tomorrow.”
Her stomach did a backflip. Then another. “I’m having dinner with a friend tonight.”
There was a pause.
“A friend, huh?”
Was that a note of jealousy she detected?
“She’s a sorority sis—” Meadow broke off as her phone beeped with an incoming call. When she looked at the screen and saw Gamenetic’s number, she got super excited.
“I have to take this call, Logan. It’s Gamenetic.”
“I bet they’re calling to offer you the job.”
“Don’t jinx me!”
He laughed. “Let me know what they say.”
“’Kay. Bye.” Her heart was thudding as she pressed the button to accept the incoming call. “Hello?”
“Meadow? This is Dirk Lange with Gamenetic.”
“Hi, Dirk.” Her palm felt slick against the phone.
“I’ll get right to the point. We all enjoyed meeting you yesterday. So much so that we’d love to have you join our team.”
Meadow squealed internally. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Dirk confirmed. “We think you’d be a perfect fit for our corporate social responsibility manager. If you’re still interested, I’d like to offer you the position.”
Meadow could barely contain her excitement. “Thank you for the opportunity. I’m happy to accept your offer.”
“Awesome.” Dirk sounded equally pleased. “Because of your educational background and qualifications, I was able to get you a little more money.”
“Really?” This keeps getting better and better!
Dirk went over the salary package and benefits, which included a generous relocation stipend. It was more than she could have ever hoped for. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
“How soon can you start?” Dirk asked.
“Well, I’ve been temping so I don’t have to give two weeks’ notice. But I need to go home and pack.”
“Of course. We know you’ll need time to move and get settled in. Let’s set your start date for April eleventh. That’s almost three weeks from now.”
Meadow beamed. “Works for me.”
“Wonderful,” Dirk said warmly. “HR will send the written offer to you. Since you’re in town, it would be great if you could stop by today to complete some paperwork. That way I can give you a tour and introduce you to everyone before you officially start.”
“Sounds great,” Meadow enthused. “I’ll be there.”
“Perfect. Welcome aboard, Meadow. See you soon.”
She hung up the phone and pumped her fist in the air. “Yes!”
She’d finally landed a new job! A real job with a great salary and benefits!
Grinning ecstatically, she raced out of the bathroom and down the hall to the kitchen. The scent of burnt eggs hit her nostrils before she reached the doorway.
Ignoring the unpleasant odor, she burst into the kitchen and announced, “I got the job!”
Her aunt turned from the sink where she’d been scraping blackened eggs into the garbage disposal. “What?”
“I just heard from Gamenetic. They offered me the job!”
“Oh my God!” Rosalie squealed excitedly, dropping the pan in the sink as Meadow rushed over. “Congratulations!”
They hugged exuberantly and did a happy dance until Meadow’s towel nearly came off. They both laughed as she pulled the towel tighter around her body, tucking the tail more securely under her arm.
“When do they want you to start?” Rosalie asked eagerly.
“April eleventh.”
Her aunt squealed again and gave her another hug. “I’m so proud of you! I knew you’d get the job!”
Meadow grinned at her. “You sound like Logan. He pretty much guaranteed the job was mine.”
“Smart man.” Rosalie’s eyes twinkled. “When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”
Meadow wasn’t sure if she was talking about the new job or something else.
“This calls for a celebration,” Rosalie declared, clapping her hands together. “Let’s go someplace ritzy and have a champagne breakfast.”
Meadow grinned at the burnt bits of egg in the sink. “No luck with the omelet?”
“No.” Her aunt made a sour face. “The eggs wouldn’t cooperate.”
Meadow laughed and kissed her cheek. “My new boss wants me to stop by to fill out some paperwork.”
“No problem. We’ll swing by after we eat.” Rosalie shooed her off. “Now hurry up and get dressed so we can go stuff our faces with edible food.”
Laughing, Meadow left the kitchen and headed back to the bathroom to grab her phone. She had a text waiting for her. It was from Logan.
Well???
Biting her bottom lip, she texted back: I got the job!
The phone rang seconds later.
She couldn’t keep a huge smile off her face as she accepted the call.
“Congratulations,” Logan said warmly.
“Thank you very much.” Her smile spread as she padded down the hall to her room. “Turns out you were right.”
“Of course. I’m always right.”
She laughed. “I seriously doubt that.”
His husky chuckle drifted over the line. “How long will it take you to pack your stuff and come back?”
“About a week.” She closed the bedroom door and leaned against it. “I’ve been staying with my dad so I don’t have much furniture.” She wondered how her father would react to her good news. She hoped he’d take it well.
“When you come back,” Logan said, “I’m taking you out to dinner to celebrate.”
Her heart did a ridiculous somersault. “You don’t have to. I know you’re busy with hockey—”
“I don’t play hockey twenty-four-seven.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts. We’re going to dinner, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Fine. Jeez,” she huffed, rolling her eyes. “You’re just as stubborn as I remember.”
“So are you. And I’m damn glad to have you back in my life.”
His words disarmed her and turned her insides to mush.
Neither of them spoke for a few moments.
Then Logan cleared his throat as if he were embarrassed. “I gotta run. Have fun sightseeing.”
“Thanks,” Meadow said softly. “Have a good practice.”
“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.
Their oversized booth was in the back by a large window. They always sat in the same spots—Logan and Reid on one side of the table, Hunter and Viggo on the other.
As soon as they were seated, Dionne brought them glasses of water. She was a voluptuous honey-toned beauty with braids down to her ass. She always flirted with them, but it didn’t mean anything because she only dated women. Damn shame.
She’d been their waitress for as long as they’d been coming to the diner. She never had to write down what they wanted because they always ordered the same things. Hockey players were creatures of habit.
“Hey, fellas.” Dionne gave them a knowing smile. “The usual?”
They grinned. “You know it.”
She laughed and winked. “Coming right up.”
As soon as she sashayed off, Hunter started grilling Logan.
“So what’s the story with Meadow?”
“Yeah,” Reid and Viggo chimed in. “Where’ve you been hiding her?”
“I haven’t,” Logan said, toying with the paper wrapper on his straw. “Like I already told you guys, we met at a group home when we were kids. We were there together for five months before she got adopted. I haven’t seen her in fifteen years.”
“Wow,” Viggo marveled. “That’s a long time.”
“I know.” Logan shook his head. “Seeing her yesterday shocked the hell out of me.”
“No doubt. I mean, what are the odds of her showing up out of the clear blue at one of our games?” Hunter’s eyes twinkled. “Nothing happens by chance.”
Logan thought the same thing, but he wasn’t about to admit it.
Viggo was grinning broadly. “Remember the convo we had that time in the weight room when Reid was moping over Nadia? Remember Logan casually asking why black women aren’t into hockey?”
Hunter and Reid started grinning.
“As I recall,” Hunter said humorously, “he got real defensive when you suggested he was secretly pining after his first crush.”
“He sure did.” Grin widening, Viggo pinned Logan with a gotcha look. “Is Meadow the one you’ve been hoping to see in the stands? Is she the one that got away?”
Logan felt his ears redden. “Fuck off.”
Raucous laughter erupted around the table.
Shaking his head, Logan ripped the paper off his straw, plunged it into his glass and took a long gulp of water.
“Well, well, well,” Reid drawled, slapping him on the back. “Just when we thought we’d have to hire a private investigator to track down your first crush.”
“What the hell’re you talking about?” Logan grumbled. “Jupiter wasn’t my first crush. We barely—”
“Wait a minute. The pendant in your truck…the one that’s shaped like the planet Jupiter…” Viggo’s gray eyes gleamed with sudden comprehension. “She gave that to you, didn’t she?”
Logan hesitated, then nodded.
A slow smile stretched across Viggo’s face. “All this time I thought you were keeping that old thing for good luck. But there’s more to it than that. It holds sentimental value because it came from Meadow.”
Logan shrugged, bouncing his right leg under the table. Hunter and Reid grinned at him.
At that moment, Dionne arrived with their meals. He could have kissed her for her perfect timing.
Unfortunately, the reprieve was only temporary.
As everyone dug into their food, Hunter resumed the conversation—which was really more of an interrogation. “When is Meadow’s job interview?”
“She already had it,” Logan said around a mouthful of chicken. “She got the job.”
“Hey, that’s great,” the others enthused. “They didn’t waste any time, did they?”
“Nope.” Logan couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice. “It was her second interview. She made such a good impression that they called first thing this morning to offer her the job.”
Viggo gave him a sly grin. “So she’ll be moving to Denver, huh? I bet you’re happy about that.”
He was over the fucking moon, but he wasn’t about to admit that either. “I’m happy for her,” he said, playing it cool. “She’s been temping for six months, so this job couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“What does she do?” Reid asked.
Loga
n told them about Jupiter’s new position, her professional background and her passion for helping children.
“She sounds like an extraordinary woman.” Hunter smiled, lifting his drink to his mouth. “I look forward to getting to know her.”
Logan chuckled. “She’s really smart and into science. I’m sure you two will get along great.”
He was struck by the realization that Jupiter might have more in common with Hunter than him. It was an unnerving thought. For the first time ever, he found himself questioning whether good looks and money were enough to offer a woman. Specifically Jupiter.
The unfamiliar feeling of inadequacy prompted his next words. “I’m thinking about getting a college degree.”
A stunned silence fell over the table. His teammates couldn’t have looked more shocked if he’d announced he was hanging up his skates to become a priest.
Their reaction made him scowl. “‘Gee, that’s a great idea, Logan,’” he snarked. “‘You should totally go for it, man. We know you can do it.’”
The others laughed.
“Sorry, bro,” Viggo said ruefully. “You just caught us off guard, that’s all.”
“Seriously,” Reid agreed. “No offense, but in all the years we’ve known you, you’ve never shown any interest in going to college. You definitely weren’t interested last summer when Viggo and I took that business entertainment course at Harvard. And you rag on Hunter every time he can’t hang out because he has to do homework or study for an exam.”
Logan chuckled. “Dude has dual degrees from Yale. Getting a master’s seems kinda pointless.”
“Except it’s not.” Hunter put a forkful of grilled salmon in his mouth and chewed slowly, studying Logan across the table. “I think it’s awesome that you want a degree. But why the sudden change of heart?”
Logan shrugged, uncomfortable under everyone’s scrutiny. “None of us will be playing hockey forever. I need to start preparing for what comes next.”
As one of the highest paid NHL players, he was making more than enough money to live comfortably when he retired. But money wasn’t everything. Which was something he wouldn’t have believed twenty years ago when he and his mother were living on food stamps, barely scraping by.
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