Page 25

“Quick, give her one of those.” He grinned.

I ripped open the bag.

Both dogs stilled.

I pulled out two treats. “Okay, sit.”

Taffy plopped onto her butt.

Queenie did not.

“Uh…”

“Queenie, sit.” Foster’s voice carried a surprising amount of strength.

Nothing.

“Queenie, sit.” Arnav spoke as he came into the kitchen.

The dog eased to a sitting position.

Foster groaned. “How is it that you’re the softie when it comes to, uh, generous gifts, and they only listen to you?”

I gave the dogs their treats.

Arnav laughed. “Sweetheart, I think you answered your own question. They listen to me precisely because I’m, uh, generous—”

“You spoil them.” Foster arched an eyebrow.

“I know how to put misbehaving puppies in their places.”

Foster and Demetrius burst out laughing.

I stilled.They don’t know anything. They can’t know anything. Because you haven’t… Shit.Yes, shit. Arnav and Foster had spoken to my mother. Undoubtedly, she’d told them everything—Wait. Just calm the fuck down. Arnav would’ve said something. During the walk…he would’ve broached the subject.We’d talked about several other personal things, so perhaps that logic applied.

“Dog treats are the best.” Demetrius met my gaze. “That was very generous of you.”

I swallowed my rising panic. “Arnav said not to bring anything…but he sent me a picture of the dogs. I wasn’t certain which to pick…”

“You made a good choice.” Demetrius smiled. “I find pups do what they’re told when they’re offered rewards. Treats.”

Heat crept up my neck.

“Arnav.” Foster gave his husband a little wave.

“Yes, my sweet.”

“Turns out Demetrius shares your love of pups.”

Arnav’s eyes lit. “Oh wow. You ferreted that out?” He cocked his head to Demetrius. “He doesn’t share that with everyone.”

Demetrius continued to hold my gaze. “So this house is a safe space. I admit to being surprised—”

I dropped the bag of treats. “I have to go.”

Incredibly grateful I hadn’t been asked to remove my shoes—I bolted for the door. I shoved it open and practically ran to my SUV. I was inside in a heartbeat and tearing out of there as fast as I could.

He knows. I don’t know how he knows…but he knows. Now Foster and Arnav know. And their house might be asafe space, but I can’t ever go back there.