Page 31 of Defensive Zone

And shirtless.

“I was looking for a crepe pan. I almost had it and then that prank exploded and you startled me, so any injury on my part is your fault.” She huffed.

“You could’ve asked someone taller to get it for you,” he said.

“Won’t take the blame, will you? You are insufferable,” she gritted out, leaning toward him.

Now her belly was fluttering.

Because she was riled up. Not for any other reason.

“So I’ve been told,” he said, a smirk on his face.

“Why are you up so early?” she asked, trying to gain some control over the situation.

She kept her eyes locked on his. She would not look down for any reason. She brushed another piece of confetti off her cheek.

“You better clean this up, too,” she said.

“I’ll take care of it,” he said, grabbing the dustpan from under the kitchen sink.

At least he wasn’t going to try to get her to help. Who the hell kept confetti guns in their cabinets? And were there any other booby traps she hadn’t stumbled across in this house?

“And I’m up early because I went for a quick run before I have to get to practice. So, you’re making crepes? I haven’t had a great crepe out here,” he said, sweeping up the rest of the confetti.

“I thought the kids would like it. And Ava,” she said.

“And me,” he said, reaching around her and grabbing the crepe pan from the cabinet.

“Believe me, I was not thinking about you when I decided to make them. I don’t think you deserve any crepes.”

“Harsh, Gabster, harsh. Even after I rescued you?”

“Would it kill you to not call me that?” she grumbled.

“Probably.”

“And you didn’t rescue me. I lost my balance because of your damn prank.”

“It was an unintentional prank,” he said.

“That doesn’t matter. It happened.”

“You are so freaking stubborn.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being stubborn. Some might call it determined.”

“You’re that some, aren’t you?” he asked.

His eyes twinkled, and she groaned.

“Go shower. Or just go away.”

“Can I have crepes after I shower?”

“Maybe I’ll save you one.”

“I’m a big boy, Gabi,” he said, drawing out her name. “I need more than one.”

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