Page 43 of Governor

Like watching the way Susa’s gorgeous blue eyes light up when she listens to Carter speak.

Like ignoring the way an adorable pink blush creeps up her throat and across her cheeks over Carter’s smile.

Like knowing that Susa’s as much in love with Carter as I am with her, and not even caring anymore. Settling for being a satellite in her orbit via Carter is enough for me.

After dinner, Carter says his good-byes and slowly limps toward the door. I offer to help him out to his car, but he waves off both me and Susa.

She sees him out and locks the door behind him, returning to join me in the kitchen. Now that I know my way around it, I don’t need to ask her where things go. I’ve already started washing the items that don’t go in the dishwasher when she hugs me from behind.

“Thank you for today.”

I’m glad that I’m standing in front of the sink, because it allows me to conceal my suddenly raging hard-on from her. “You’re very welcome. I didn’t do much.”

“Yes, you did. And thank you for how you take care of Carter.”

Now I’m the one blushing. “I don’t know what you mean,” I mumble, surprised she’s noticed anything. Then again, she is pretty damn observant.

“I think you do. I see you watching him. I also saw you help him up off the couch.”

My face feels aflame now. “He’s my friend.”

“He’s more than that.” She releases me and moves to lean against the counter, where she can see my face. “You guys are like brothers.”

I nod. “I never had a big brother. That’s what it feels like, though. He said he always wanted a little brother.” I hope this isn’t going to turn weird. That she doesn’t start to ask me a bunch of questions about him, or, worse, ask me how to gain his affection.

Susa does none of those things. “You realize we’re serious when we talk about getting you elected, right?”

Now I pause. “I get that you guys are serious, but I think you have way too much faith in me.”

“Do you want to change this state? Do good for people?”

Stalemate.

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Do you want to be governor?”

“But I can’t—”

“Do youwantto be governor?” she quietly asks again.

Swallowing hard, I force myself to nod.

“Do you trust us?”

“Of course.”

She awards me with a beautiful smile—full dimple. “Then that’s all you have to do. Just want it, and trust us. Well, and do what we tell you to do, of course.”

I snort. “I seem to be getting pretty good at that.”

She playfully pokes me in the shoulder. “Then the rest will be easy.”

* * * *

It’s almost ten o’clock when I finish assembling the entertainment center and get it positioned for her. It’s the last piece, and I feel a strange and unfamiliar sense of accomplishment over it.

Susa’s already moved the low table that had been holding her Blu-ray player, cable box, and other electronic items.