Summary:

The game ended. Shane shepherded the girls out into the cold, promising hot chocolate and dessert if they behaved. The restaurant near the arena was packed. Players, fans, staff, and Shane nearly turned around.

But Lily was already bouncing. “Daddy, that’s him!”

Ilya Rozanov stood near the bar, hair damp from a shower, suit jacket on his stool, laughing loudly at something a teammate said.

Shane froze.

Or what if Shane Hollander left his NHL dreams behind after one too many panic attacks, had kids, but STILL, somehow, in an alternate timeline, found his way to Ilya Rozanov.