The sound of metal skates echoed in the tunnel as the last players left the ice. The roar of the crowd still vibrated in the arena walls, muffled, distant. The victory had been hard-fought—and the tension of the game still simmered under the athletes' skin.

Anny knew exactly where to find him.

She navigated the hallways as she had for five years, ever since Hanz joined the professional team. Their friendship was born in college, when he was just a fearless freshman and she was the girl with ...