Page 265 of Well Played

“Thanks, no rush.”

She got it down and handed it to him. “I have an entire pack of these, so no need to replace it.”

“I appreciate it. I didn’t notice it until tonight and once I did, I couldn’t stop looking at it.” He faked a shudder.

“I don’t even want to imagine.”

They chatted for a few more minutes about their days and how eager Grant was to get back on the pitch tomorrow. He was playing in an actual practice for the first time in several months and looked ready to crawl out of his own skin at the mention of the time that had passed.

A beeping stopped the conversation and Cassie knew exactly what it was. A fire alarm was going off somewhere nearby.

“Oh. Shit.” Grant bolted from his seat at her bar counter and ran for the door, forgetting the air filter.

Cassie followed quickly to see what was going on. A light smoke came from his apartment as she cussed and pans banged around.

She peeked inside to find him dropping a huge black disc into the sink. It had probably been pizza.

“I’m sorry. I forgot I stuck this in before we started talking.” Grant said sheepishly over the beeping.

She sighed, but not at him. No, her whole family was about to burst in here because that alarm automatically called the fire department. Sirens grew louder as she walked further in and opened the windows.

“Well, you’re about to get a real welcome from the entire fire department.” She picked up a plate that was on the counter and climbed up to use it to fan the smoke away from the detector.

“I didn’t call the fire department.”

“Nope. This did. It’s automatic.”

“Shit.”

“Yep.”

“Get down. It’ll clear out on its own.” He reached for her waist, pulling her off the counter and up against him.

“What the hell is going on?” That booming voice belonged to the fire chief, her dad.

“Forgot I had a pizza in the oven, sir.” Grant stuck out his hand to shake but kept the other one on her waist. “I was just stopping Cassie from climbing on the counter to fan the smoke detector.”

“Cassie,” her father warned.

“Yes,” she said sweetly.

“What’s the word?” Jack was the next to arrive in full turnout gear.

“Food in the oven. Go get some fans to vent this place out a bit.”

“This is the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever experienced,” Grant whispered in her ear.

“It gets better. That’s only two of them.” As if on queue, two more brothers walked in carrying fans. “Grant, this is David and Ben.”

They nodded a greeting as they set up the fans. Last to arrive was Alex, her oldest brother and the only cop in the family.

“What’s going on?” He casually looked around at everyone.

“This guy burned a pizza because he was talking to her instead.” David pointed at Grant.

“Must have been some conversation,” Alex remarked.

“Leave it alone,” Cassie threatened.

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