Both of them swiveled to look at me in surprise.
“What are you sorry for?” Milo asked.
Carter set his small hand on my arm and said, “Haters gonna hate. You just gotta shrug it off and keep your head up.”
For a second, I just stared at the boy, my lips parted in shock. He held onto his solemn expression for a long moment, then he finally cracked a tiny grin and Milo slung one arm around each of our necks.
“Thank you, oh wise one,” he intoned, “but more importantly, who do you guys think would win in a battle between Superman and One-Punch Man?”
I couldn’t help it—I started laughing, turning my face into Milo’s shoulder. With the two of them telling jokes and chatting about all things superhero, I forgot all about the hate mail and let myself simply enjoy the afternoon.
Chapter Thirteen
Milo
Theweirdpamphlethadme tweaked, but Eden’s nonchalant response to it freaked me out even worse. I didn’t like thinking that this gorgeous, successful woman had dealt with enough hate in her life to make her barely bat an eye at the hellfire and brimstone bullshit in that envelope.
Carter’s energetic presence acted as a buffer for the afternoon, forcing me to not make a big deal out of the incident. At one point, when Eden left to use the bathroom at the back of the store, I told Carter that if he saw anything like that envelope again, he was commissioned to make sure it got to me instead of Eden.
“Like a secret mission?” he asked, eyes bright.
I nodded solemnly. “Top secret. Vital importance.”
“You got it, Uncle Milo,” he whispered.
Maybe it was uncool to involve the kid in my newfound quest to keep Eden from experiencing that pain again, but my nephew seemed proud of his new job as my lieutenant.
When Maverick showed up to get Carter after work, he issued a quiet, sincere apology to Eden for upsetting her at their last meeting. Carter and I pretended to be busy sorting his homework folder, but we were both shamelessly eavesdropping.
“It’s fine, Maverick. Really. It was a shock to see Milo again and there was a lot going on in my head,” she murmured.
My brother looked like he wanted to say more, but he caught my eye over Eden’s shoulder and smiled at her instead—not his usual flirtatious charm, but an expression filled with warmth, one that conveyed his happiness for us both in finding each other again.
“Dad, did you know Eden beat Uncle Milo at Mortal Kombat? You haven’t beaten him since that time last summer when he was recovering from the flu!”
Maverick’s brows dropped ominously low at that. “She did, huh?”
When a giggle burst from Eden’s lips, my heart lifted. I slid my arm around her waist and nodded at my brother. “She absolutely did. Best button-mashing I’ve seen in decades.”
“Stop insulting my technique,” she grumbled.
“I’m sorry, Eden, but I have to see my brother being humbled up close and in person. You should come with Milo to our next game night. As long as you don’t mind a little friendly competition.”
“Friendly, my ass,” I said against her ear.
Eden looked uncertain about the invitation for a split second, then her eyes lifted to mine and a radiant smile spread across her face. Those smiles were like a drug, each one making me want more.
“That sounds like fun. I’m in.”
“We’ll get Libby to join us. Maybe she’ll be a civilizing force on Mark and Mav,” I said, grinning back at her.
“Yes! Then we can play tournament style!” Carter cried.
He threw his backpack over his shoulder, gave me a fist bump, and then offered the same to Eden. When she bumped his fist with hers, my chest threatened to burst wide open.
Maverick lifted his hand in farewell, winking at us both, and ushered Carter out of the store. Though music played from a speaker in the back corner, the sudden quiet had Eden fidgeting as she joined me behind the counter again.
“I should probably go, too,” she said softly.
