Page 30 of Risky Move

“Nice way to put it. So, Cassie, your evening out sounds more like hazardous duty,” Andrew leaned against the back of the sofa.

“Did you at least get dinner?” Tom asked. “Center Ice has a great menu.”

“Amelie wanted to have a drink before dinner, so I ordered some tapas. Amelie never stayed at the table long enough to eat.”

“I missed dinner. Would you care to join me for an omelet?”

Cassie saw the smile that hinted at Tom’s mouth. “You’re cooking?”

“You bet.” The wink caused Cassie’s heart to flutter as Tom looked at his brother. “Give me your phone. I’ll talk to Mr. Camden if he calls back. You may not get much sleep if the twins fuss again.”

Andrew plugged the phone into a charger on the counter. “Get me if I’m needed. If Amelie’s at Center Ice, one of the guys or wives should recognize her. In fact, Steve and Terri Rogers were heading there.” He looked at Cassie and smiled. “Amelie’s in for a rude surprise if Camden catches her flirting with any of the guys.”

* * *

Tom refused Cassie’s offer to help and suggested she relax while pushing the disastrous evening to the back of her mind. Content to watch him grate the cheese, then chop up green and yellow peppers, her gaze traveled from the doctor’s broad shoulders to his perfect ass. The blue Suns’ polo shirt only enhanced his athletic build…definitely Dr. McHottie. None of my personal physicians back home ever came close…not even in the same universe.

She shook her head and tried to stop staring. “So, you survived pulling a player from the ice?”

Tom glanced at her with a wry smile. “Not willingly, that’s for sure. Unless they’re unconscious or have a compound fracture, guys who play hockey never think they need to leave the ice.”

“Did you play?”

She heard his quiet chuckle. “I played until major juniors. It was hard to accept that I didn’t have the talent to go pro. Especially with my hot-shot brother. Coaches encouraged me to look elsewhere, go to college. So, I had no problem walking away when it came time to seriously concentrate on getting into med school.” He cracked the eggs into a bowl and used a whisk to stir the mixture. “Following my super-talented brother left skates too big for me to fill.”

“Andrew could say the same thing about you.” Her phone interrupted the conversation.

“If that’s Cam…”

“Lauren’s ring tone.” She picked up the phone. “You just get back from the game?”

“We went by the hospital first. Just checking that you’re back home safely.”

Cassie groaned. “Been home over an hour.”

“Terri called to say a pretty buzzed Amelie came in Center Ice. We wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“Did you call Cam?”

“Yes, on his way now.” Cassie heard Lauren’s laugh. “Getting a taste of his own actions and consequences. Anyway, Terri persuaded her to join the team’s post-game meal. They were more concerned about you since Amelie told them she didn’t know where you’d gone.”

“She acted like I deserted her there? What an ungrateful….” Cassie bit her tongue.

“Terri said she made little sense. I just wanted to check in on my favorite niece. I know you wouldn’t do anything irresponsible.”

“I try not to do anything stupid.” She looked up as Tom set a plate on the counter for her as she heard Lauren’s soft laughter.

“You? Do something stupid? I know better than that.”

* * *

Tom watched Cassie as she slowly savored her omelet. Her hair hid her eyes when she looked at the food, and he fought the urge to brush it aside.

“No highlights today?” Tom noticed the missing kaleidoscope of colors she used to highlight her hair. “Isn’t this fuchsia day?”

She giggled as she swallowed. “Actually, I’d planned to use teal.”

“Out of stock?”

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