Page 71 of Pinch

“We can’t get married because I’m pregnant. We hardly know each other.”

“That’s not true. I know a lot about you. You’re incredibly smart, you’re doing this study to save babies.”

“That’s not exactly what it’s about…”

“You loveHannah Montanaand axolotls and tater tots. You make cute little snorty noises in your sleep…”

“I do?” My cheeks heat with embarrassment.

“You’re a super pooper?—”

“You are never allowed to say that.” I cut him off quickly.

“Haddy.” He slides his thumb over the back of my palm. “Couldn’t we try?”

“No.” I shake my head, scooping up Patsy and walking in the direction of the house. “This isn’t a science experiment.We’re not being reckless. We’ve been reckless enough as it is.”

“Slow down.” He’s behind me holding Spanky’s leash. “Why are you mad?”

“I’m not mad. I’m taking this seriously.”

“I am, too.”

We stop at the front steps, and I turn to face him in the growing dark. “We need to think about what this means, what we want. We both have a lot going on right now. You’re in the middle of your season. I’m on the verge of graduating, defending my thesis…” He reaches for me again, but I hold up my free hand. “I’m going to have doctor’s appointments. I’ve got to get through Christmas… We need a plan.”

“I plan to go with you to those doctor’s appointments.”

Inhaling slowly, I nod. “Okay. But we can’t tell anyone—not Maverick, not Gina. Until I graduate, this is top secret.”

His lips tighten, and again he frowns. I know he’s angry about that part, but he doesn’t understand. I can’t lose this scholarship.

“Please, Gavin.” My voice is quiet, and when he looks at me again, the anger melts from his expression.

He steps forward, pulling me into a hug. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, Princess. I catch you when you fall. Right?”

“I’m not falling anymore. Starting now.” Now too much is at stake.

“Hey, Hayden.” Timothy’s voice on the porch makes both of us jump. “Did you fall? You do have some twigs stuck to your sweater here.”

“Timothy—how long have you been standing there?” My voice trembles, and I take the dried twigs from his fingers. “Spanky jumped at me, and I fell into a lilac bush. It’s no big deal.”

My lab partner nods, his smile tight. Then he glances up at my escort briefly. “I’m just taking off. Final grades are due next week, and I’ve got a stack of papers.”

“Of course. Thanks so much for coming.” I hold out my hand to shake, blocking his attempt at a hug. “Sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together.”

“Yeah.” His annoyance is plain. “I’ll see you in the lab.”

We hesitate, watching as he walks up the sidewalk to the car. I do a little wave as he gets in and drives away.

“That guy.” Gavin grumbles watching him leave.

I scrub my fingers over Pat’s little head before going into the house. “He’s the least of my concerns.”

“Happy Ho-ho-ho to you!”Harry Connick, Jr., blasts through Cooters & Shooters, my family’s restaurant on the coast, and everyone dances and sings along.

Gigi’s dad, my uncle Garrett, and our honorary uncle Craig are dressed in red-velvet shorts, red velvet Santa jackets and hats, and they’re on the bar with a few of the wait staff—also dressed in skimpy Santa costumes—shaking their butts to the jazzy Christmas song.

Christmas Eve is on a Thursday this year, and everyone’s at the restaurant having spiced egg nog, habañero-ginger hard apple cider, cayenne pepper-dusted brownies, and cheese balls covered in jalapeño pepper jelly. It’s a Christmas-themed Dare Night, and even the candy canes are spicy.