Page 21 of The Interception (Southern Sports Sweethearts #2)

On it. Good luck and bring me leftovers!

I breathe a sigh of relief and settle into the seat, only to realize the organizer hasn’t finished her announcement.

“If I could get everyone’s attention again, please, I’d like to pass these around. It’s the official grocery form that you’re familiar with. This round will be a bit of a deviation from the cook-off’s theme of tailgating. Instead, we want you to prepare your favorite fall comfort foods.”

“And they don’t have to be tailgating foods?” Layne clarifies.

“Correct. Are there any more questions?” When no one speaks, she concludes the meeting. “All right everyone, good cooking!”

I ignore the flurry of conversation and lead Layne out of the room. My chili is everyone’s favorite, and I have no doubt it will clinch us the top tier for points, maybe even enough to move us into the first-place position.

“Want to go to my place and figure it out?” I ask.

“Yep, I’ll meet you there. I just want to stop by the house first, okay?”

I’m not sure what she could need, but I agree and we part.

If I hurry, I can get everything started and have something to show her when she arrives at my house.

The only problem with my plan? I’m forgetting my partner is a second-generation Italian American…

and if that doesn’t scream comfort food, I don’t know what does.

Layne stares at my simmering pot of chili like it’s a swamp creature that might overflow and swallow her whole. Every time a bubble pops, her lip curls. She leans in to give it another sniff test, and her face scrunches.

“What is that smell?” she asks. “It’s like…cinnamon?”

“Secret ingredient. Don’t tell anyone.” I plop the lid back on the pot and grin. “So, think it’s a winner?”

She slowly steps back and looks from Sarah Beth—who has had an awful day—to Leo, then back to me. “Let me get this straight. You came home, started a vat of chili with cinnamon, completely shut me out of the planning process, and I’m supposed to be good with that?”

“Oh…uh…” I hadn’t thought of that. Which…isn’t good. “No, I mean, if you have input, then obviously I’m good with it. It’s just that this is my favorite comfort food, and everyone loves it, so I thought why not?”

“Right,” she says, so matter-of-factly, I can’t help but know I’m in trouble.

“The thing is, I’d rather eat a cow patty than chili.

It’s definitely not my favorite comfort food.

” She says this while setting a jar of what I can only assume is her amazing spaghetti sauce on the counter beside a bowl of cooked pasta.

“Okay, well…didn’t you do the same thing?” I point to the items and frown.

“No, actually, I grabbed the sauce and pasta for your sister, who asked me if I would make her some more because her day sucked after not getting the job. See, I’m a team player and didn’t make side plans of my own without consulting with you about it first.”

“Wait, how did you know she didn’t get the job?”

“She messaged me after it went south.”

I need to apologize, but I’m not even sure where to begin. I did it again, pulled the I’m a veteran and I know best card, and insulted my partner. Again.

Layne sighs and rubs her temples. “Let me smell it again.”

I remove the lid from the chili and go a step further, dipping a spoon in to get her a sample. Once she tries it, she might feel better about it. She accepts the spoon with a scrunched nose and a high level of apprehension. It reads on her face like front page news.

“It’s actually really good,” Leo says. He and my sister watch with bated breath.

Layne doesn’t even swallow it. She gags and does her best, but she can’t do it. She spits it into the sink and wipes her mouth. “I can’t. Cinnamon. I just…I can’t, I’m sorry.”

“The least you could do was swallow it,” I bark. I don’t know why I’m so insulted, but I am.

“I tried! It almost killed me!” She drops the spoon in the sink with finality. “I am not serving that to the judges.”

“It almost killed you? Need I remind you that you did almost kill me?” I’m hitting low, I know it. I need to shut up.

Leo’s eyes widen and he shares a knowing glance with Sarah Beth. Lula is still at the sitter’s, but that doesn’t mean anything. I don’t need to fight with Layne even if my niece isn’t here to see it. Only…she insulted my chili!

“That was an accident, but you kind of have me wanting to put peanut butter in that. It can’t make it any worse.”

I drop my mouth open. Sarah Beth gasps. Leo groans. “Guys, maybe we should—”

I interrupt Leo with a grumble. “I’m not sure why I came to you to partner. Clearly, your novice abilities are—”

“Okay! Okay!” Leo says and steps between us. “For crying out loud, you two are acting like kids. So she insulted your chili, you’ll survive.”

Layne huffs, spins on her heel, grabs her bag, and heads for the door. I’m about to lose her over a vat of stupid chili and my crappy ego? Oh, heck no. I shove some sense into my idiotic brain and reach for her.

“Hey, hey, hold on a minute.” I manage to grasp her hand and tug her back a step. “He’s right. I’m sorry. I don’t want to argue with you. Let’s both lay out our ideas and see where they can connect. I’m sure we can figure out something that will blow the judges away. We’re a good team, remember?”

She blows out her frustration in a long, loud sigh.

“I guess you’re right. Arguing about this won’t help us impress the judges, and you have won this thing quite a few times.

” She turns around to face me, but I don’t let go.

“You know what you’re talking about, but so do I. All I wanted was a little respect.”

“Fair enough. And you have it, Layne. I got a little ahead of myself.”

She nods but remains quiet.

“Are we okay?” I ask, my voice dropping lower than I’d like.

“Yeah, I think we have enough groceries here to work out something we both—”

“I mean you and me. Are we okay?”

Her eyes flutter up to meet mine. Sincerity floods her gaze, so clear and inviting I’m beginning to question my sanity. I should throw the whole dish away and make whatever she wants, even if it’s not my favorite.

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Okay, what do you want to make?”

“Actually,” Leo raises a finger and steps into the kitchen. “I had a thought. What if he left the cinnamon out and you do this?” He opens the bowl of pasta Layne brought, scoops it onto a plate, then drops a scoop of chili on it. He shrugs and adds, “I’m from Cincinnati.”

Layne smacks her forehead. “Of course! It blends your favorite and mine. But seriously, you gotta ax that cinnamon.” She feigns a gag.

“All right, all right. I’ll make more. Want to help me?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Leo and Sarah Beth head to the living room because it seems Leo isn’t going anywhere until he taste-tests what we come up with. It’s fine by me. He keeps my sister company, giving me the opportunity to flirt with Layne and make up for my previous idiocy.

“Okay, here’s what I need. Ready?”

Layne opens the cabinet door and dutifully pulls out the spices I list off while I clean up the mess I made.