Page 22 of Pinch

“I’ll talk to her. You’d be surprised. My cousin is a really great gal. Very understanding.”

I can believe Haddy is great. I’ve seen her with her friends, but as far asunderstandinggoes, that has not been my experience.

“Don’t worry about it, Mav. I’ll find my own place soon.”

He glides over to pull my head into his chest. “But I am worried about it! You’re my guy.”

“Get off me.” I push his arm from around my neck and straighten my helmet. “Let’s do this.”

“Gav and Mav.” He growls playfully. “Or should I say Mav and Gav?”

“You had it right the first time.”

I’mdead when we get back to the house, but Maverick is in the kitchen blasting music and dancing as he sautees something on the stove.

“I had no idea he could cook like that.” I hold a Dos Equis Amber, watching as Gigi drags a brush through her tall, white poodle’s fur.

“Yeah.” She nods, the messy bun of her reddish-blonde hair bobbing. “He started learning with his mom, our Aunt Dylan… gosh, I don’t even remember when. He inherited her love of hot peppers, even though she couldn’t eat or cook anything spicy when she was pregnant with him. The two of them had the best time. She wanted him to be a golfer.”

“I’ve heard.” I exhale a laugh, taking a sip of my drink. “I can’t imagine Mav on the golf course.”

We glance over at him shaking his ass in front of the stove, and we both chuckle.

“He is way too crazy for golf,” his cousin agrees. “He’s a lot like my dad. So much personality.”

A little cinnamon-colored puff ball hops into the kitchen, letting out the tiniest bark, and my body tenses. I feel her before I see her, the air growing electric with anticipation.

Haddy breezes into the room wearing tennis shoes, thick white track pants with black stripes down the sides, and a top that looks like lingerie. It covers her stomach, but it has thin straps and the tops of herperfect tits are smooth and visible beneath triangle cups.

“Do I have time to go for a walk? I’ve been sitting on my butt all day.” Her dark, silky hair hangs down her back, and I swallow the desert in my throat.

“I think so.” Gigi continues brushing.

“Hey, Mav,” Haddy yells. “How much longer til dinner?”

He doesn’t even look up, yelling back, “Seven-thirty.”

“Perfect. Will you keep an eye on Patsy for me, Geeg?”

“Of course.” Her cousin continues brushing, and the naughty poodle lifts his white head like he’s preening as she brushes under his neck.

Haddy starts for the door, and an unexpected surge of protectiveness rises in my chest.

Straightening, I set my beer on the counter. “I’ll go with you.”

She takes a little stutter-step, and her full lips part. “That’s not necessary.”

“I…”am fumbling for a reason. What am I doing?“I’d like some fresh air myself.”

Her slim brows furrow, and she glances from me to Gigi, who continues brushing like she’s not part of this.

“I’m not going for a stroll, Gavin. I’m power-walking.”

“Sounds good.” I straighten to my full height, which puts her head at the center of my chest. “I’ll keep up. My legs are longer than yours.”

Her lips tighten, and I can see her trying to find an excuse to say no. I don’t give her a chance.

With a smile, I rub my hands together. “Ready?”