Hazel opened the door to her apartment carefully. It had been unlocked; that was her first clue that something was wrong. Reaching into her purse, she grabbed her pepper spray. She wasn't going to take any chances after the way her brother Nico had been kidnapped a year ago.
Sneaking inside, she picked her way through the living room. There were strange noises coming from the kitchen. Maybe someone was trying to steal her appliances? Hazel trembled slightly at the thought of an intruder in her home.
She rounded the corner and came face to face with- Frank? He was wearing one of her spare aprons and holding a spatula. She had given him a key about two weeks ago, but this was the first time he'd shown up unannounced.
Her boyfriend grinned sheepishly, half turning to reveal the pancakes he was cooking. "The recipe doesn't call for any pepper, but who am I to argue with the house chef?"
Hazel dropped the pepper spray and breathed a sigh of relief before giving him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. "You're such a dork."
The pancakes were delicious.