The Choice Read Online Free PDF Page B

nipples are swollen, and she’s been acting strangely. What else could it be?” Honestly, every man she’d ever met believed that having a dog as a kid made him an expert on all things canine.
    “What if she has an infection? That would cause swelling. And if the infection is bad enough, she might be in some pain, too, which could explain the way she’s acting.”
    Gabby opened her mouth to speak, then closed it when she realized that she hadn’t thought of that. An infection could cause swelling in the nipples—mastitis or something like that—and for a moment, she felt a surge of relief wash through her. As she considered it further, however, reality came crashing back. It wasn’t one or two nipples, it was all of them. She twisted the napkin, wishing he would just listen.
    “She’s pregnant, and she’s going to have puppies. And you’re going to have to help me find homes for them, since I’m not bringing them to the pound.”
    “I’m sure it wasn’t Moby.”
    “I knew you were going to say that.”
    “But you should know—”
    She shook her head furiously. This was so typical. Pregnancy was always a woman’s problem. She stood up from her chair. “You’re going to have to take some responsibility here. And I hope you realize it’s not going to be easy to find homes for them.”
    “But—”
    “What on earth was that about?” Stephanie asked.
    Gabby had disappeared into the hedge; a few seconds later, he’d seen her enter her home through the sliding glass door. He was still sitting at the table, feeling slightly shell-shocked, when he spotted his sister approaching.
    “How long have you been here?”
    “Long enough,” she said. She saw the cooler near the door and pulled out a beer. “For a second there, I thought she was going to punch you. Then I thought she was going to cry. And then she looked like she wanted to punch you again.”
    “That’s about right,” he admitted. He rubbed his forehead, still processing the scene.
    “Still charming the girlfriends, I see.”
    “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my neighbor.”
    “Even better.” Stephanie took a seat. “How long have you been dating?”
    “We’re not. Actually, that’s the first time I’ve ever met her.”
    “Impressive,” Stephanie observed. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
    “What?”
    “You know—making someone hate you so quickly. That’s a rare gift. Usually you have to know a person better first.”
    “Very funny.”
    “I thought so. And Moby . . .” She turned toward the dog and lifted a scolding finger. “You should know better.”
    Moby wiggled his tail before getting to his feet. He walked toward her, nuzzling Stephanie in her lap. She pushed the top of the head, which only made Moby push back harder.
    “Easy there, you old hound dog.”
    “It’s not Moby’s fault.”
    “So you said. Not that she wanted to hear it, of course. What’s with her?”
    “She was just upset.”
    “I could tell. It took me a little while before I could figure out what she was talking about. But I must say that it was entertaining.”
    “Be nice.”
    “I am nice.” Stephanie leaned back, evaluating her brother. “She was kind of cute, don’t you think?”
    “I didn’t notice.”
    “Yeah, sure you didn’t. I’d be willing to bet it was the first thing you noticed. I saw the way you were ogling her.”
    “My, my. You’re in quite a mood this evening.”
    “I should be. The exam I just finished was a killer.”
    “What does that mean? You think you missed a question?”
    “No. But I had to really think hard about some of them.”
    “Must be nice being you.”
    “Oh, it is. I’ve got three more exams next week, too.”
    “Poor baby. Life as a perpetual student is so much harder than actually earning a living.”
    “Look who’s talking. You were in school longer than me. Which reminds me . . . how do you think Mom and Dad would feel if I told them I wanted to stay in for another couple of