Page 31 of State of Suspense

“Thank you.”

“Heard you interviewed the AG.”

“Was it on the news or something?”

He huffed out a laugh. “Is that a rhetorical question? When the first lady, in her capacity as a homicide detective, interviews the U.S. AG after the murder of a USA, that tends to make the news.”

“Why does that have to be news?”

Avery laughed a little harder this time. “Is that a rhetorical question?”

“I’m just doing my job. Why does everything I do have to make the goddamned news?”

“As we stand in your residence at the White House, you can ask that?”

“Shut up. You’re supposed to be my friend.”

“I am.” He wiped away laughter tears that irritated her.

“Where’s your wife? I like her better than you.”

Chuckling, Avery gestured for Sam to lead the way into their suite.

Chapter Six

Shelby, who was on the sofa with the baby asleep on her chest, smiled when she saw Sam. “Hey there. Come meet our Maisie Rae.”

Sam sat on the footstool in front of them and leaned in for a closer look at the sleeping angel. She tried to ignore the too-familiar pang of longing. Why was it so easy for some people to have babies, but impossible for her? “She’s gorgeous.”

“We’re pretty smitten, even if she has her days and nights mixed up.”

“That’s happened with all my nieces and nephews. Fortunately, they eventually figure it out.”

“Noah did, so I’m hopeful for her, too.”

“Where is my little pal?”

“Sleeping over with my sister Ginger to give us a minute with Miss Maisie. He was so excited to meet her earlier that we feared he’d be up all night if he was here.”

Avery handed Sam his phone. “Pictures.”

Sam scrolled through the photos of Noah holding his baby sister and then one of the four of them together. “Beautiful.” She was deeply moved by the pure love on Noah’s little face as he gazed at his new sister.

She handed the phone back to Avery. “How’re you feeling, Shelby?”

“Like I got hit by a bus, but glad it’s over and that she’s finally here.”

“We’re so happy she’s here.”

“Imagine that she’ll be able to tell everyone for the rest of her life that she came home to the White House after she was born.”

“I love that,” Sam said, smiling.

“Would you like to hold her?”

“Oh, um, if you’re sure it’s okay. She’s so little.”

“It’s okay.”

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