Page 11 of Pinch

“Isn’t she precious?” My cousin steps closer to where I’m holding the warm little bundle of fur against my neck.

“She’s so cuuute!”

“I told you you’d love her.” Gigi strokes the tiny dog’s head with her index finger. “Does that make you feel better?”

“It does.” I pucker my lips. “Softness signals safety to your nervous system. That’s why petting animals lowers your blood pressure.”

“And she’s a princess.” Her eyes brighten. “Peepee is perfect for you!”

Maverick does a spit-take, and even Gavin ducks, lifting a large hand to cover his mouth.

The muscles in his forearm flex attractively, and I don’t know why I’m tracking his every movement like a magnet to steel.

I need to remind myself how he treated Karen. It doesn’tmatter that he’s as hot as molten lava—or one of Aunt Dylan’s spicy peppers. Hecannotbe trusted.

“We’re not calling herPeepee.” I shake my head.

“Why not?” Gina snorts a laugh. “I give all the dogs nicknames.”

It’s true.

I lift Princess Petunia in my hands and give her a good inspection. She’s an adorable, cinnamon-colored teacup poodle, and she fits perfectly in my palm.

“How much bigger will she get?”

“Ten inches is the usual height for toys, and they usually weigh six to ten pounds.”

“Is she house-trained?”

“She uses a puppy pad.” Gigi makes her own version of puppy eyes. “But if you take her out regularly, she’ll go outside.”

Gina’s hands clasp under her nose, and she blinks those green eyes at me.

“Okay, she can stay.”

A shriek of joy causes Peepee to shiver, and I tuck her curly brown body against my neck as my cousin throws her arms around my shoulders for a jumping hug.

“Yay! You’re not going to want to give her back when Tori gets herself together.”

“Iwillgive her back.” I don’t have time for my research, my pageant obligations,anda dog. “And we’re calling her Patsy.”

“I’m calling her Peepee,” Mav yells from where he’s digging in the refrigerator.

My eyes drift to Gavin, who is looking down and doing his best not to laugh. Damn that stupid dimple in his cheek.

Maverick made a valiant case for him staying with us. It seems yesterday, on the second leg of his flight here, thehouse he was planning to buy was taken off the market at the last minute. Gavin had nowhere to go, and since he and Maverick are such good friends, my generous cousin said he could live with us until he finds a new place.

Maverick’s argument is that between practice and games and grad school, we’ll never even see each other. However, I’ve already seen him too much since my cousin made that pronouncement.

“That just leaves one last thing.” Maverick steps out of the fridge holding a neon-green Mountain Dew.

He tilts his head in the direction of the table, and Gina’s lips twist. She’s a total softie. She would never turn Gavin out in the streets, even if by “streets” that means he’d move to a luxury hotel downtown.

Neither of my cousins knows about our history or my objection to his staying here, and it’s not like me to be the bad guy, so I shrug. As loyal as I am to Karen, we were raised on hospitality. Our parents would never forgive us if we turned away someone in need.

For the time being I can put a pin in the past. It doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten or that I’m disloyal.

“We do have an extra room.” Gina looks at me for the final vote.