Page 60 of Home Safe

Smiling, I extend my hand toward him. “Ron, nice to meet you. I’m Griffin. Thanks so much for having us over and cooking dinner tonight.”

Ron shakes my hand a moment longer than your standard handshake, then abruptly lets go when he catches sight of Kara’s meaningful glare.

“Griffin West, it’s amazing to meet you. I’m a huge fan. Enormous. The entire Crowns team—enormous fan,” Ron gushes. “I can’t wait to see how the season pans out. I think we’re in for a good run this year, especially now that you’re back.”

“Ron, why don’t you slice the meat so we can continue talking over dinner?” Kara suggests. “Jason, would you like to help me crush the Oreos to sprinkle on top of the pie for dessert?”

Jason hops down from the barstool he’s been sitting on with an excited, “Yes!”

As he moves to assist Kara, Millie continues sneaking glances at me in between snuggling Danae’s neck. I run one knuckle along Danae’s hand that’s rubbing Millie’s back, softly smiling at her.

“So, Ron, tell me how you cooked the meat tonight,” I say, moving to stand next to Ron. “I love Kansas City barbecue but haven’t attempted to smoke anything on my own yet. What’s your process?”

Ron’s eyes light up as he begins explaining the process he’s honed over the years. I ask follow-up questions and eventually steer the conversation to find out what he does.

“Oof, so you’re gearing up for your busiest time of year as a tax accountant, huh?” I observe. “I’m even more honored that you madetime to cook for us tonight when you’re heading into tax season. That meat looks perfect.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Ron says, puffing up but brushing aside the compliment. “I’m the one who’s honored to cook for you. Having the Wizard of Defense in my house—that’s certainly something I never expected! I can’t bel—”

“Let’s get food, everyone!” Kara jumps in to cut off whatever Ron’s next statement was going to be. “I, for one, am starving!”

Danae holds Millie while Kara prepares a plate of tiny pieces of food for her, and I help Jason load up his plate with meat and sides. When Kara takes Millie to strap her into the highchair, I place a hand on the small of Danae’s back to move her to the food line.

She smiles up at me with such a pool of happy contentment in her eyes—it kills me to not lean down and kiss her. I love spending time alone with her, but seeing her here with her best friend is bringing out a totally new side of her that I haven’t seen yet. A soft, beautiful side.

As we sit down to start eating, I turn my attention to Kara. “Danae told me that you teach music. What got you interested in music education?”

Kara explains her choral background and the impact of her choir teacher in middle school. “In the same way Danae’s safe place was books, music was mine. Elementary level isn’t quite the same as specializing in choral music at the secondary level, but I do enjoy giving kids an introduction to the various forms of music.”

I screw up my face. “I still remember learning the recorder in elementary school. In retrospect, that must have been torture for the teacher.”

Kara laughs. “Of the worst degree. A couple of years ago, I switched to teaching the ukelele to fourth grade instead of recorders. It’s a much more pleasant experience.”

“I love the ukelele!” Jason exclaims, mouth full of cheesy potatoes.

“Would you like to move up to a secondary position someday?” I ask Kara before taking a bite of a rib. It’s a perfect fall-off-the-bone texture, requiring zero false praise for Ron’s cooking abilities.

Danae spears Kara with a look. “You’d never leave me, would you?”

Kara rolls her eyes. “You know I love you, but, yes, I would like to teach choir in middle or high school eventually.” Danae fakes a pout, and I can tell this is a conversation they’ve had repeatedly. “Danae landed her dream position way earlier than most librarians do. I’ve had to wait my turn for a secondary choral position to come open.”

“Serving your time on the farm team before getting called up to the majors?” I joke, and everyone laughs—even Danae. I elbow her in the side. “Look at you, catching all the baseball lingo now.”

My comment opens the door for Ron and Jason to start talking baseball. It naturally leads to me fielding question after question from Ron about my experience, the coaching staff, the other guys on the team, and strategy for the upcoming season.

“I know you’re not a baseball fan, Danae,” Ron says, “but you should know that this guy earned that Wizard of Defense nickname for a reason. The Crowns are lucky to have him. A true wizard at the shortstop position.”

“I’m sure he is,” Danae says, reaching over to squeeze my hand under the table. “You should know that he’s amazing at a lot more than baseball. Like connecting with anyone and everyone, making kids feel special, taking care of the people he loves, remembering minute details about people’s lives—there’s a lot more to him than just the baseball Wizard.”

Her sweet smile curves as she looks at me with shining eyes. My heart is choked up by her affirmation and praise. I lean over to kiss her on the cheek, barely containing myself from landing the kiss squarely on her lips instead.

Conversation continues, but a piece of my mind keeps circling around Danae’s observation. The qualities she sees in me. I’m used to variations of the exact conversation I’m having with Ron and Kara tonight—conversations revolving around my identity as a professional baseball player. I’m not accustomed to hearing praise about anything else I do.

It only makes me fall for Danae a little further, a little harder than I already was.

Chapter twenty-six

Griffin

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