I turned to him, thwarting Lillian’s effort. “This isn’t something you thought I needed to know? Are you kidding me?” I wailed.

Jared’s expression turned desperate. “You can’t expect me to tell you about every angel or demon that passes by.”

“I work with him, Jared. I…I’m just baffled why you chose to keep it from me! This makes twice today!”

“What else haven’t you told her?” Ryan asked, enjoying the show.

Jared shot a death glare in Ryan’s direction. “It was his secret to tell, Nina, and it’s really not paramount that you know. In the grand scheme of things, it’s really minute. You’re being unreasonable.”

“Minute.” I stood up from my seat. “I don’t think asking for a little trust, or having the expectation to not be treated like an outsider in my own company or family, is unreasonable. I don’t think being upset to be the last to know that I’m pregnant is unreasonable. I am tired of you choosing what is and is not acceptable for me to know, only for me to find out by chance sometime later like a slap in the face!”

Jared’s eyes drifted to the floor. I threw my napkin to the table, stomping up the stairs to the bedroom in Oscar-worthy fashion. I sat on the bed, still fuming. A small knock at the door only amplified my anger.

“Go away, Jared.”

“It’s Claire.”

“I don’t want to talk to you, either.”

Claire, being Claire, walked in anyway. She sat on the bed next to me, crossing her arms. She sat silent for the longest time, and finally took a breath.

“I get it, you know. They don’t tell me nonessential information, either. It’s crap.”

“It’s demeaning is what it is.” I frowned in her general direction. “I’m his wife. I understand I’ve been the token human that doesn’t understand the rules of the universe, but for the love of all things holy. I know enough by now. He should trust me.”

“It’s not that he doesn’t trust you. He tries to keep your life as normal as possible. He knows how important that is to you.”

“It’s a moot point these days, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I would, but I don’t love you like he does.”

My mouth pulled to the side. She was fighting dirty. Jared loved me, and at times let that fact cloud his judgment. It was impossible to stay angry at him for it. Jared keeping Grant a secret from me defied logic. It simply didn’t make sense.

“He should have a good reason for keeping things from me, and he doesn’t have one.”

“It’s a very human reason, actually.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Grant’s been in love with you for ages. Why do you think Jack was constantly pushing him in your direction?”