Page 55 of Pet

I also notice how Owen watches Susa any time he thinks he can do so without people catching on.

Loving.

Protective.

I watch him even more closely and realize he can’t help smiling.

Especially any time Susa puts her hand on her stomach.

Oh. Oh!

She’s pregnant, I’ll bet.

Hmm. Interesting.

* * * *

It’s tempting to ask Carter if I’m correct, but I don’t want to spill the beans if there’s a reason they’re not telling anyone yet.

I’m also reasonably certain that Susa’s lieutenant governor, Ethan Hamilton, is an item with her chief of staff, Draymond Garcia, and Draymond’s long-term and secret boyfriend, Gregory Milan.

Who is Ethan’s chief of staff.

Yeah, likethatis a good idea. Why worry if shit can go sideways when you can ensure it’ll go sideways in an epically flaming way?

Then again, if it worked for Carter and Owen and Susa for the past eight years while Owen ran the state, why can’t it work for Ethan and his men, too?

Or, maybe I’m wrong. I could be wrong.

Stranger things have happened than me being wrong about something.

Except the more I pay close attention, the more certain I am of my guess. Dray and Gregory remain on the periphery of the gathering this morning, handling logistics and keeping the schedule moving along like a couple of alert and capable herding dogs.

I snag Carter during a lull in the festivities. “Hey, bro, I have an ask.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “Sure, what’s up?”

“I need to add the plus-one you said I could bring to list for tonight. Sorry for the short notice.”

He grins. “Finally bringing someone home to meet us?”

Oooh, if only he knew.“Not exactly. Good friend of mine. How can I hook him up and get him in?”

Carter arches an eyebrow. “Him?”

“You said I could add a plus-one.”

He glances around and drops his voice. “What kind of ‘friend’ are we talking about?”

“He was in the Army. He’s just retired and moving back to the States.”

Notice I didn’t say I was in the Army with him, or that he just retired from the Army. Technically, those weren’t lies.

Yeah, I know. Talk about splitting hairs. Hey, Eddiewasin the Army with Carter.

And Eddie did just “retire.”

And wearemoving back to the States.