Page 22 of Home Safe

Jason looks slightly disappointed but nods in agreement. Danae tells him, “Jason, why don’t you tell Sammi and Mr. Griffin goodbye and then go get some pajamas on.”

Jason gives Sam a hug then offers me his fist to bump. “Thanks for bringing Sammi over to hang out with me,” he says, voice serious.

“Any time, Fireball,” I respond. He grins at my use of his nickname then scampers up the stairs.

Danae is quick to start apologizing to Sam. “I’m so sorry we were late. I got caught up in the discussion and completely lost track of time.”

Sam rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. It was not a big deal at all. I’m glad you were having so much fun! We had a great time here.”

“How was he? Everything go okay?” Danae asks.

“He was great. Responded fine when I asked him to help with the dishes before we started playing. He’ll probably crash hard tonight,” Sam says with a wink.

Danae smiles appreciatively. “Thank you so much. It was nice to get to have adult conversation with my friends. Could you text me your Venmo info?”

“No way, you don’t need to pay me for tonight,” Sam starts to object.

Danae cuts her off, placing a hand on her arm. “Please. Let me pay you.”

For a second, it looks like Sam might continue fighting the issue, but in the end, she agrees. “Fine,thistime I’ll let you pay me. But now you owe me an I-babysit-for-free night.”

Danae fully laughs, and it’s beautiful. A lilting melody. I wish there was a ten-second rewind button for real life so I could push it to hear that exact sound again.

As Sam grabs her coat and bag, Danae thanks me for driving. “I’m sorry again for not paying attention to the time and creating a hassle for you.” I see Sam give me a quizzical look over Danae’s shoulder.

“Stop apologizing. It’s not a big deal at all,” I reassure her. “I’m glad you got to have a wild night out.”

She laughs again, and I’m becoming addicted to the sound. “Goodnight, Danae,” I say, tipping my hat. In my peripheral vision, I see Sam fighting a laugh.What are you now, some cowboy? Why did you just tip your hat like an idiot?

Thankfully, Danae smiles. “Thanks for the ride, Griffin. And thanks again, Samantha!”

Sam and I dart quickly to my Jeep before we can be spotted by a family further down the sidewalk. Once safely inside the car, Sam shifts to face me. “Hassle?”

I give her a brief rundown of my failed attempt to nonchalantly signal the time to Danae in the bookstore. Sam howls with laughter.

“Griffin West, making dreams come true for all the book club ladies,” she says, wiping tears from her eyes. “I bet they’ll choose a baseball romance for next month’s book.”

“A what?” I ask, confused.

“A baseball romance. You know, a romance book featuring a baseball player as the main character,” Sam explains.

“That exists?” I glance over to see her nod. “Books are weird.”

Samtsks. “Don’t let Danae hear you say things like that. You might ruin your chance with her book-loving heart.”

“I think tonight already ruined my chance with her,” I say, voice melancholy. “You should have seen the look on her face when her friends realized who I was and started asking for photos. Like a baby deer in ultra-bright headlights. I don’t think that level of attention is the kind of life she’s looking for.”

“So, you’re saying youarehoping for a chance with her?” Sam’s voice sounds gleeful.

I reach over to shove her shoulder. “That’s your takeaway from my statement? You’re going to completely ignore the negative reaction Danae had to the attention?”

Sam waves a hand. “Her first impression of the fame is an obstacle that can be overcome. What matters is doyouwant to overcome that obstacle or not?”

I ponder her observation.

“I’m interpreting your pensive silence as a solid ‘yes,’” Sam answers for me. She rubs her hands together. “So, let’s game plan to win her over.”

“Slow down,” I say. My thoughts are interrupted by a driver cutting in front of me on the highway. I hit the brakes and lay on the horn.

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