All Chapters of Hooked on the NHL Star: He Came Back for Me: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

Mia is barefoot on the wet sand before anyone else is awake.Her internal clock hasn't adjusted to vacation logic, to be honest, it doesn't know how.She walks the tide line in the early morning quiet, the foam coming in over her feet and pulling back.She bends to pick up a shell that has been smoothed into something almost translucent by the water."That's a sand dollar." a man's voice comes from behind her, slightly rough with early morning. "Rare to find one intact."She startles enough that the shell nearly goes back to the ocean.Elias is standing a few meters away, soaked through—not from the sea, from training, his shirt plastered to his torso, chest still moving with the effort of whatever he was doing before she noticed him.Sweat tracks down from his hairline along his collarbone and disappears into the black fabric.She takes a half-step back. Her heel sinks into the wet sand. "You've been up long?""Long enough." He walks closer, looking at the shell in her hand. "The tid

The storm arrives without warning on the morning they leave.The airport terminal is a chaotic sea of frustration, the air thick with the smell of burnt coffee and the low hum of disgruntled travelers.Both groups end up stranded at the airport together, the departures board flickering with delays, rain coming sideways against the terminal windows and erasing the runway entirely.Six hours, they're told. Minimum."We're on AC1113. What about you guys?" Ellie asks.She looks over at Lucas, who is currently fighting with his luggage."AC1901. We're scheduled three hours after you," Lucas grunts, gesturing toward Rick, who is huddled in a corner frantically tapping at his phone. "Rick's trying to work his magic on a rebooking. Coach Danny is breathing down our necks. He wants us back and on the ice for morning practice, no excuses."Away from the noise, Mia sits by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, the world is a blurred, grey smudge of torrential rain.To Mia, the storm fee

October arrives in Toronto. Temperature is dropping daily, the maples are going red and gold in a way that feels slightly aggressive about it.Mia wears a cream knit sweater to the office, soft and fitted, her hair in a low bun with a few strands loose at the nape.She's been cross-referencing her treatment schedule with her academic timetable, which is the kind of problem she finds satisfying, when Lisa arrives at speed."Children's home visit tomorrow," Lisa announces, pushing through the door with the energy of someone delivering excellent news. "Team outreach. Every department sends a few people. It's a baking activity."Mia looks up. "Baking.""Don't panic. There will be groups." Lisa drops into the chair across from her. "Lunch first? I'll brief you fully.""I need to let Ellie know I can't make dinner." Mia is already reaching for her phone. She types quickly, apologizes thoroughly, promises a rescheduled date with Lisa included.Ellie's response arrives in forty seconds.[Elli