Page 107 of Pinch

“You sound just like Dad,” I laugh, doing my best to loosen her embrace. “I have dinner with you at least once a month.”

I’m wearing an oversized, tan blazer with black leggings and a long-sleeved black turtleneck. I’m doing my best to hide my baby bump until we’re able to tell them what’s happening.

“Once a month is a lifetime after every day.” She looks up at my escort. “Gavin Knight, it’s so good to see you again.”

“Nice to see you, Mrs. Bradford.” He leans down to give her a hug, so polite.

“Well, come on in, I’ve got meatloaf in the oven and sweet potato soufflé on the stove.” She gives me a wink, and I air-clap quickly.

“My favorite!”

“Mine, too.” She slides her hand into the crook of my arm, pulling me closer to her side.

We’ve only taken a few steps into the foyer when she stops, narrowing her eyes and studying my face. “Something’s different about you, Hayden Lucille. What is it?”

Her eyes scan my midsection quickly, and my throat tightens. Thankfully, Dad busts up in the group at that moment.

“Hey, Super P!” He pulls me into a hug as I groan at the nickname. “How’s my little princess? Gavin, good to see you again, bud.”

“Hi, Mr. Bradford.” Gavin’s voice is more deferential than I’ve ever heard it as he shakes my dad’s hand.

“Call me Hendrix.”

“Okay,” Gav laughs, and my eyes cut to him.

That’s mighty friendly. Mom is still studying me with her hands on her hips, and I feel the back of my neck getting itchy like it always does when I’m trying to hide something.

“Let me take your coat.” I can tell by the way she says it, she’s sleuthing, and I have to grab the reins on the situation before it goes off the rails… not to mix up all my metaphors or anything.

“First, let’s show Gavin the view!” I grab his arm, pulling him closer.

“You want to go out on the balcony?” His voice cracks weirdly, and I look up at him confused. “That’s a pretty big drop.”

My dad stands beside him, hands in his pockets, and I almost snort a laugh. Does Gavin think my dad will throw him off the balcony?

“I need to take out the meatloaf.” Mom waves a hand. “You three check out the view, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. Anybody want a glass of wine?”

“I’ll go with you.” I follow Mom, but Gavin watches me confused. “You and Dad check out the view, and I’ll catch Mom up on all the news.”

“Allthe news?” He frowns at me.

“Yes!” I nod, waving my fingers. “Go with Dad.”

“Come on, Gav.” Dad slaps his shoulder. “The view can wait. I got a bottle of Blanton’s waiting to be sampled.”

“Yes, sir.” Gavin follows after him, glancing back at me.

Once they’re gone, Mom pulls me close. “I never expected you to bring home a hockey star.”

“That makes two of us.”

“He’s handsome.” She looks back to see him watching us from where my dad is pouring them both tumblers of expensive bourbon. “And serious.”

We go into the kitchen, and I try to think about how I want to say this.

“He’s really great. Not at all like I thought he was when Maverick said he was moving in.”

“That’s a good sign.” She goes to the range where she lifts the lid off a Dutch oven. “Living with people is a real eye-opener.”