Page 151 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

I stare at her, deadpan. “Nova, I don’t even know how far along I am. Can I get through the part where I break the news to Gio?”

She laughs, throwing her head back. “Fine, fine. But when you’re ready, I’m here for the gender reveal brainstorming. Glitter bombs, confetti, maybe a piñata full of baby socks?—”

I cut her off with a laugh. “Stop. You’re too much.”

“And you love me for it,” she quips, grinning as she grabsthe remote. “Now, do you want to keep overthinking, or should we put on something dumb and distracting?”

“Dumb and distracting, please.”

“Perfect,” she says, pulling up a reality dating show. “Let’s watch people mess up their own love lives so we can stop stressing about ours.”

28

Gio: You planning on coming to the game tonight?

Austin: Yup. Me and Nova will be in the special seats.

Gio: YOUR seats, you mean?

Austin: Sure, ha ha. If that’s what you want to call them, who am I to object.

Gio: How was your day babe? You looked so cute when I left this morning, all snuggled in my bed with that beast of yours.

Austin: I was. And so was Gio.

Gio: He sure did get used to my place pretty darn quick.

Austin: He’s a leech. As long as you’re feeding him…

Gio: He’s the dog version of a golddigger.

Austin: OBVIOUSLY. Can’t have him settling for less.

Austin: You say that like you’re not completely smitten with him already. Admit it, he’s got you wrapped around his paw.

Gio: Lies. I’m just trying to keep the peace. Can’t have your dog hating me.

Austin: Don’t worry, you’re winning him over. He didn’t even growl at you last night.

Austin: That’s progress.

Gio: He only growls at me when you’re not looking.

Austin: STOP IT HE DOES NOT!

Austin: Does he? Oh God…

Gio: It’s fine. No one can take him seriously with that mohawk.

Austin: What he needs is a cute Baddies sweater. It’s getting cold out, he’s going to need one.

Gio: A Baddies sweater for your dog? You realize I’m the one on the ice, right? Not him.

Austin: He’s basically your mascot now.

Gio: Pretty sure the team’s ACTUAL mascot would have an issue with that.

Austin: That giant flame can fight him for the title. Gio would win.

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