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“I could sit here and play for hours, honestly,” I admit as Callie comes up to us.
She’s full of smiles, bright eyes and all. “I think you’ll have to play violin once a week. That was awesome and so good for the kids.”
I cross my arms over my chest to keep from touching her. “I can do that, I think.”
“We’ll have to get you on the schedule if you can make it work. I know you have a lot on your plate, but jeez, you’re so good,” she gushes, her eyes sparkling.
“Agreed,” Aviva says as Nico walks up.
“Hey, Merryweather,” I say happily, and he shakes my hand. “It’s great to see you.”
“You too,” he says, his eyes not meeting mine. “I didn’t put two and two together, that you’d be here the same time as Callie.”
“Well, that makes two of us. I didn’t even recognize her, and I’ve been working with the gymnastics team for months now,” I say with a carefree laugh, and Callie grins.
“I had to tell him you were my dad-guy.”
“That’s so funny and absolutely pathetic,” Aviva says, shaking her head. “But not surprising since Nico basically forbids any guys from being around her.”
Nico gives me a stern look. “That’s still the case.”
Callie and Aviva laugh, but I don’t think he’s joking. When they realize what I do, Callie glares. “Nico, stop. I’m almost twenty years old.”
“So?” he says, giving her a look. “I’m about to be your dad. We’re starting over, and I get to run things for the next eighteen years.”
“That’s not how that works!” she snaps at him, and Aviva shakes her head.
“Oh, you asked him? How’d it go?” I ask, still trying to act as if I’m not totally caught up in her.
“How’d you know?” Nico asks. He almost catches me, but I’m quick on my feet.
“I was there when she was handing out the posters this morning.”
Callie smiles without Nico seeing it as he glares at me. Callie ignores him and says, “It went great. Though, I may have to take back my request.”
Nico snorts. “Try, and I’ll ground you.”
“Aviva! He’s impossible.”
“Oh, I know,” she says, visibly over them. “Evan, sweetheart, are you busy? I’d love to catch up. Can you join us for lunch?”
Nico says no at the same time I say yes. He doesn’t even look at me as he says to Aviva, “We can’t let them hang out. He’s got that Adler charm—he’ll deflower her.”
Oh, if only he knew.
Callie snorts. “Nico, we’ve discussed this. I’ve been de—”
He holds up his hand. “Calliope. Don’t you dare.”
I find myself laughing as Callie looks completely annoyed. I reach out, squeezing his shoulder. “If I promise not to charm her, can I come?”
Nico shakes off my hand. “You can’t charm any of us, you hear me? I will not like you.”
I give him a dry look. “Nico, we’re friends.”
“Nope. We’re not anymore.”
“What the hell? Why?”
“’Cause you’re too good-looking, and she thinks so,” he says, pointing to Callie. “Stay away from her, unless I am around. You two have to be supervised. I don’t trust either of you.”
“What? I’m not like Owen.”
“I don’t trust Adlers,” he jeers.
I totally forgot he had a thing with my older sister Shelli. Since I will not disrespect Aviva and bring that up, I feign hurt. “But I’m a good Adler. Some say I take after my mom.”
“Your mom is a very nice lady, but I don’t trust any of you.” Nico looks at Aviva. “Can we hire Callie a nanny? Or do they have RAs who do that?”
Callie flashes a sneaky grin. “Evan is an RA.”
