From over her sister’s head, Alex’s dark gaze narrowed with a warning stare.
Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve got you.
“Oh, I just got back.” Coulter stuck with a vague version of the truth. “That job’s on-going, but in the meantime, there’s some work-related stuff I need to take care of here in Charlotte.”
“How funny would it have been if the two of you ran into each other while you were there?”
All eyes went to Evie Stone, whose dimples had deepened with her sweet-as-pie smile.
“L.A.’s a big place, darlin’.” Bones sent his wife a wink and a grin. “Even if they had been there at the same time, the odds of them bumping into one another are . . .”
When his voice trailed off, Digger’s deep rumble sounded from the table’s opposite end. “I bet if mywife were here, she could give you the actual numbers.”
“Yeah, where is Shadow, anyway?” Coulter swerved the group’s attention to another topic altogether.
He wasn’t asking for himself. He knew exactly where the team’s technical analyst was and what she was doing. Not that he planned to share this knowledge with the others.
One slip-up’s enough for one night, don’t you think?
He took a long swig of his beer as Digger responded with Shadow’s presumed cover story.
“She’s at the office running something down for Owens.” The muscular man explained. “Before she left the house, she mentioned doing research for a possible upcoming op.”
“Possible?” Bones’ brows dipped inward. “So she’s what? Gathering intel to see if it’s worth our time?”
“You know as much as I do, brother.” Digger shrugged before turning his attention to their hosts. “She said to tell you guys sorry she had to miss.”
“It’s okay.” Avery smiled. “I’ve been around long enough to know how unpredictable y’all’s schedules can be. Speaking of which . . .” She turned to Garrett. “Should we go ahead and tell them now or wait?”
Coulter watched his brother closely, wondering what the two had up their sleeves.
Garrett chuckled. “Don’t think we have much of a choice now that you’ve already brought it up.”
“Brought up what?” Evie eyed the couple across from her. “What’s going on?”
Apollo chimed in before Garrett had time to respond. “Yeah, Falcon. What’s up?”
“Told ya.” Garrett sent his sweet wife a knowing smile.
“You’d better not be thinking of quitting the team,” Apollo growled.
At the same time, Coulter slapped his brother’s upper arm. “Dude, seriously. Just tell us, already.”
He looked to Alex whose head was down.
She knows.
Whatever it was they weren’t saying, he’d bet money Alex already knew.
Garrett chuckled. “Well if y’all will give me a chance to speak, I will.” To Avery, he said, “Actually, you should be the one to do it.”
“It’s okay. You can tell them.”
Coulter groaned, his eyes rolling in an overly exaggerated motion. “For the love of?—”
“Okay, okay, okay,” his sister-in-law interjected, waving her hands in the air with a giggle. Sharing another sideways glance with Garrett, she drew in a deep breath before letting it out in a rush. “I’m pregnant,” Avery announced with glee. “Garrett and I are going to have a baby.”
The entire table erupted as everyone jumped to their feet and cheered. Everyone except Coulter—who was still trying to catch his breath at hearing the awesome news—and Alex, who slowly turned her stunning gaze his way.
