Page 90 of Pinch

Nodding, I consider how to say this. “If I could change her mind, would you care if I dated Haddy?”

“Hell no!” He grabs my shoulder, giving it a shake. “Ask her to the gala. She’s really good at shit like that, and you can show her what a great guy you really are.”

“I like that.” I smile like I hadn’t already thought of asking her.

“So now I get why you’re headed home all the time.” He grins, giving me a shove. “You and Haddy. It’s good. It makes sense. Now get out of here.”

We clasp hands, and I slap him on the back. I’m headed to my waiting SUV, when I see the paparazzi waiting for us.

“Go, I’ll take care of them.” Mav steps in front of me as I steal around the back of the large black vehicle.

Looking out the window, I see him hamming it up with the female reporter as my driver slips us out the back way.

He waves his hand, and I’m sure he’s making some joke. She laughs, her eyes flashing with excitement, and I shake my head smiling.

My buddy has never met a camera that didn’t love him, and after meeting his uncle Garrett, I get the feeling it’s genetic.

I’m quiet on the drive from the stadium to our little cottage in Los Feliz. I gotta say, when my original housing fell through, and I saw where Mav was living, I thought I’dmade a mistake. Now I really like the quaint, neighborly location.

The house is dark when I arrive, which I don’t expect. Granted, it’s a Friday, but Gina usually is sitting on the couch watching a dog movie. Haddy stays late at the lab during the week, but on Fridays, she’s usually home hanging with her cousin.

Or at least, that’s how it used to be. We haven’t been talking as much lately. Damn, I’m going to feel like a loser sitting here alone on a Friday night if they’ve gone out.

My phone is in my hand to text her as I jog up the stairs to drop my bag in my bedroom, and I skitter to a stop on the landing. The light is on under her door, and I hear noises coming from inside.

I step forward, hesitating before I knock, and my stomach drops. The door isn’t closed all the way, and I realize she’s crying. Without really thinking about it, I walk right in to find her sitting in the middle of the floor.

She’s dressed for bed in a thin, white tee and those mermaid pajama pants. Only, her legs are crossed, and her chin is tucked. Both her hands are in her lap, and her shoulders hunch forward, shuddering with every sob.

Fuck me, it’s like a punch in the chest.

Dropping my bag, I rush forward, hitting my knees and pulling her hands into mine. “What happened, Haddy? Is it the baby? Why are you crying?”

My whole body is tight, and I feel like I’m right on the edge. Her eyes squeeze shut and big tears fall onto her cheeks as she shakes her head. “No… it’s not that.”

A box of tissues is on the floor in front of her, and she grabs several, holding them to her nose as she sniffles another sob.

My stomach twists, and I carefully place my hand on her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s Patsy.” She nods in the direction where the small crate used to be, and I realize it’s gone.

Shifting onto my butt, I look all around the room. All of her doggy things are gone.

“What happened to her?”

“Her owner wanted her back. Gigi was here, and she took her…” Another little cry cuts off her words. “I couldn’t do it, and when I came back and saw the empty place, I just… I can’t stop crying.” Another shuddering inhale. “I guess it’s hormones?”

Her brows furrow and her face wrinkles as she cries more. She’s actually pretty when she cries, which I don’t have time to think about right now.

Reaching out, I pull her into my arms. I lift her into my lap, and she faces me with her legs in a straddle. My arm is around her waist, and I hug her to my chest, sliding my hand up and down her back.

“It’s not hormones, baby. You loved that little dog.”

She nods against my neck, and her voice is muffled as she speaks. “She was so sweet. She made those little squeaky barks, and I would cuddle her under my chin…” She snuffles again.

“Look at me.” I lean back, smoothing her hair away from her face and sliding my thumbs over her damp cheeks. “I’ll get you a dog. Whatever kind you want. I know we don’t talk about it very much, but I actually have quite a lot of money. We can get you one just like Peepee or if you prefer something different, a bigger dog or a different breed. Gigi could probably help us get one tomorrow.”

Her brows pull together again, and her lips pull down.