Page 104 of Pinch

My phone lights upas I drive back to the house from Dr. Barry’s private office in West Hollywood. She agreed to see us there once we explained the situation with the paps camping out around her Pasadena clinic.

I’d had to miss the last two appointments because I couldn’t find a way around them, and I didn’t want to miss anymore, especially since we’re closing in on the third trimester.

Baby is now the size of a grapefruit, doing great, and Haddy is adorable walking around the house with her stomach pooching out.

She’s also completely panicked about Timothy knowing she’s pregnant. I told her I’d threaten his life if he told anyone, but she’d rather play it cool. He doesn’t have any connections to the pageant program, and she can’t see a reason for him to tell.

I can see a reason. I see it every time he looks at me like he wishes I’d take a puck straight to the face. The dude’s in love with her, not that I blame him, but he’d better keep his trap shut and his opinions to himself.

Gigi

OMG!!!! I’m so excited to see everybody! Why didn’t my mom tell me this? I just talked to her!

Mav

Mom said they were waiting on Aunt Raven to give the green light. The parents will stay with them, but Kim, Knox, and Sage want to crash with us.

Haddy

They’ll see my baby bump!!!

Mav

Hence the red alert.

Haddy and I drive separately, taking different routes to our doctors’ appointments just in case I’m being followed. She’s ahead of me, but I pull in right behind her in the driveway.

Her blue eyes are round when she turns to look at me, holding up her phone. “Did you see this?”

“We should just tell them, babe.” I walk over to pull her into a hug. “They know how important all the pageant stuff is to you. They’ll keep it a secret.”

“I know they’ll try, but the more people who know about it, the more chances someone will slip up.” She wrings her hands as she climbs the porch steps. “And with Timothy knowing, I’m on pins and needles all the time.”

“Hey, come here.” I pull her into my arms, pressing my lips to her forehead. “If that guy says a word, I’ll kick his ass so hard, he’ll taste leather.”

Her dark head shakes slowly. “You know I don’t condone violence. Unless you’re in the rink.”

“Look at me.” I put my finger under her chin.

She lifts her blue eyes to mine, and it’s like the first day Iever met her. She’s so damn pretty, I forget what I was going to say.

An amused grin curls her lips. “I’m looking at you.”

“Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”

Her lips tighten, and her eyes narrow. “Are you trying to distract me with compliments?”

“Nah, it’s just the truth.” I lean down to kiss her lips briefly. “What I was going to say is everything’s going to work out. I don’t want you to worry about anything except taking care of yourself and the baby.”

“I do want to tell everyone, but they’re all so loud and excited. They’re about as bad as I am at keeping secrets.”

“I think if we’re just honest and tell them why, they’ll do everything to help you.”

A little frown twists her full lips. “I know they’ll try.”

Studying her pretty face, her soft hair hanging around her cheeks and shoulders, I can’t stop thinking about my conversation with her dad. He sent me a picture of the ring he gave her mom, even though they were already married, and I’ve found a similar design at Tiffany’s. I even sneaked a ring out of her room to use for sizing.

Now I’m just trying to gauge her openness to the idea. “Have you thought any more about what you want to do after graduation?”