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I watched Cal juggle the to-go cups as he opened the door to his SUV before turning my attention back to Aiden. “Cammie will be at Church. Try to behave yourself.”
Aiden nodded and took another sip of his coffee. “Cal knows I’m just messing with him. I’d never make a pass at Cammie. She’s like his little sister. He avoided my sisters during his man-whore phase, even though Fiona wasn’t married yet. I’ll extend him the same courtesy. I would like Cammie to feel more comfortable around me though. She looks terrified whenever I’m around.”
“Don’t take it personal. That girl has been through it. She used to be that way around me too.”
“How’d you get her to stop?”
“Had a panic attack in front of her. Emasculated me enough she doesn’t view me as a threat.”
Aiden shook his head. “You’re still a huge-ass motherfucker.”
I shrugged. “What game are we watching this week?” Aiden loved sports, so he accepted the subject change with enthusiasm. Several minutes later, I caught sight of a tall brunette crossing Main Street and heading toward Karma.
“So is the sister rule why you never dated any of Logan’s?” I asked as Everly Hendricks pushed into the café. The espresso burned my stomach, but I smiled at her. Aiden jumped from his chair when he saw her and wrapped her in a tight hug. I stayed seated but waved when they stepped apart.
“How’s my favorite Hendricks sister?” Aiden asked, holding her at arm’s length.
“Better not let Maddie hear that,” she said, giving his hands a squeeze before dropping them.
“Want to join us?” he asked.
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m on my way to the office.”
Aiden shook his head. “Who would have thought little Everly Hendricks would become a kick-ass lawyer? Logan would be so proud.”
Everly smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Aiden cleared his throat, and a look passed between them. She dipped her chin ever so slightly.
“You two should stop by sometime,” she said. “Check out my new office.”
“We will,” he said, answering for me.
“I better get going. It was great seeing you both.”
She walked to the counter, and I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Aiden and I finished our coffees while Everly ordered and then waved goodbye when she left.
“The sister rule doesn’t apply to Poppy, you know,” Aiden said, rolling his empty to-go cup in his hands. “Even when she’s Cal’s sister-in-law. You knew her first.”
“Does it apply to Everly?”
Aiden’s eyes widened. “You want to date Everly?”
“Why would she want to date the man who killed her brother? I meant you. I’m not a mind reader, but I’m positive you two had a silent conversation just now.”
“Yeah,” he said, leaning back in his chair, “about that. Everly wants to petition the court to have your conviction reduced, then work to have it expunged.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Just think about it, Theo. She doesn’t want you to carry a felon label your whole life. Neither do I. If you’d been a couple years older, or if we lived somewhere other than Virginia, the small amount of alcohol in your system wouldn’t have been considered a factor at all. Everly talked it over with her family, and they agree. They all want to testify on your behalf.”
“No. And don’t bring it up again. Not with Cal or anyone else. I deserve that label.”
“You deserve a lot of things,” Aiden said quietly.
“I’ve got to go.” I left the cookie on the table and stormed out of Karma, almost busting my ass on the ice.
Chapter three
Poppy