In light of this new development, I call Daxton as soon as I’m back in my office. We need to discuss my role as conservator, and I’d like to meet the girl I’m now legally responsible for.

Daxton felt it would be better to meet outside of the office to avoid causing Emme additional stress. Prior to meeting them for lunch, I review the news articles and footage related to the accident. I want to go into this with a clear understanding of what happened. I run across an amateur video taken with a cell phone and wish I hadn’t watched. It’s horrifying. So as much as I’m not excited about having to deal with Daxton, possibly on a daily basis eventually, I would be a coldhearted bitch if I didn’t feel empathy for him and his sister.

And maybe he’s right. Law school was five years ago; I should just get over it. In the grand scheme of things, coming in second hasn’t had a negative impact on my career. Besides that, I’m no longer a college girl with a crush on a former star. As an adult, I don’t do crushes anymore.

At least that’s what I tell myself as I trade my glasses for contacts, check my hair, reapply my lip gloss, and adjust my skirt before I leave the office to meet them for lunch. As soon as I step outside, my phone buzzes with a message from Holly.

Instead of texting back, I call her so I can fill her in. “You’ll never believe what happened this morning.”

“Jason Momoa appeared shirtless in your office and did triceps dips on the edge of your desk?”

“That’s your fantasy, not mine, and no, not even close.” I squeeze between an older couple shambling down the street and a woman pushing a stroller while texting. “So you know how I told you about Daxton Hughes showing up in my office last week?”

“Um, how could I forget? You talked about it at least once every hour on Friday and then twice at brunch on Sunday.”

I ignore her dig. “Anyway, to make this whole crappy situation worse, I’ve now been appointed as conservator for his sister.”

“Can you speak like a human instead of a lawyer so I can understand what that means?”

I pause at the corner, waiting for the light to change and the walk sign to appear. “Essentially I’m the legal guardian because I’m neutral.”

“Whoa. Wait. Does this mean she has to live with you?”

“No, it’s more of a formality, but now it means I’m involved and I’ll have to speak with him on a regular basis until custody is worked out. But that’s not the worst part. Or the best. I don’t even know anymore.”

“There’s a good part to all this?” Holly asks.

“Beverly’s offered me partner for taking this on, and she’ll waive the buy-in.”

“Holy sh—sugar balls!” She’s obviously in the office. “That’s awesome, Kay! We need to go out and celebrate.”

“There’s nothing to celebrate yet,” I mutter bitterly. “I only make partner if I can get Daxton to come over to Whitman, which means I’ll have to work with him. Not directly, but I’ll be subjected to his face every day.”

“It’s a nice face, though, right?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” I spot the diner about a hundred yards up the street. “I have to go. I’m meeting Daxton and his sister for lunch, but I’ll talk to you later. Oh, any recent updates on the Lipsons? I need some good news right now.”

“They’re fantastic. Little Hope is a crawling machine. I have cute pictures I can show you.”

“Excellent.” That makes me ridiculously happy. Hope is freaking adorable. “And what about that new foster case?”

“That’s a story for another time.”

“Uh-oh, well, if you need my help, I’ve been given permission to take on another pro bono.”

“Seriously?”

“Super seriously. What are you doing tonight? Maybe you could fill me in over dinner or something?”

“Or you could come with me to the SPCA. It’s kitten adoption day.”

“Hit me right in the soft spot, why don’t you? I can’t bring home another one. Linus has just stopped humping Shirley on a daily basis.”

Holly laughs. “I told you to get a girl cat, didn’t I?”

“Well, it’s too late for that. I’m attached to both of them and I worry adding another one would only give Linus more humping options.”

“I’ll pick you up at six? You can vent all you want about Daxton Hughes while you snuggle with pussies.”

“I knew that was coming. I’ll see you tonight.” I end the call, slip my phone into my bag, and take a deep breath, buoyed a little by the good news about Hope.

Daxton and Emme are already seated at a booth when I enter Earl’s Diner. Since their backs are to me, I take a moment to watch them before I’m spotted. I recognize Daxton’s hair and broad shoulders—which is odd, I realize, since I’ve only seen him twice in the past five years. But then we had multiple classes together for three years. If I made it to class after him, I would sit behind him and his friends, mostly so I could indulge my crush undetected. Which means I still recognize the set of his shoulders and the small cowlick on the right side, which only appeared by his ear when his hair grew too long. I’m so glad I’m not that silly, fawning girl anymore. Mostly.

He’s sitting on the inside of the booth with Emme beside him. Both of their heads are bent, so I assume they’re looking at the menu. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the full force of his stupidly gorgeous face, and approach their table hoping to appear open and friendly.

Daxton is first to look up. His smile is warm and makes my scalp prickle, along with other, less appropriate body parts. Freaking teenage crushes die hard.

“Thanks a lot for meeting us here.”

“It’s really no problem. I needed to break for lunch anyway and they have the best milkshakes.” I slide across the bench opposite them and turn what I hope is a warm and welcoming smile to his sister since she’s the reason I’m here. Well, that and I want to make partner.

Emme’s oversize hoodie is black and frayed at the cuffs. She has the same color hair as Daxton but with brown eyes instead of blue. They also share the same wide mouth and full lips. She’s tiny, shorter than me even, and I’m just over five feet tall. Thank God for heels. It would be easy to mistake her for his daughter, despite how young he is, based on her size alone.

Emme’s eyes light up. “Oh my God, the milkshakes are the best! They’re all so good!”

“Right? How many have you tried? It’s my life mission to get through all of them at some point.”

“Me, too! I think I’m through half the menu, but then I get stuck on my favorites and it’s hard to move on,” she admits.

“It happens to me all the time.”

“I’m Emme.” Her hand shoots out and I take it, my smile growing wider. She’s freaking adorable.

“I’m Kailyn. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Dax said you went to school together.”

“We did.” I glance his way, wondering what else he’s told her about me.

“Dax said he was an idiot in school.”

I laugh. “Is that so?”

She nods. “He said all boys are stupid, especially in high school and college, but I think they’re all pretty stupid now, and I don’t start high school until next year.” Her nose wrinkles and she looks at her brother, as if checking to make sure it’s okay for her to share.

Dax gives her a solemn nod. “It gets worse before it gets better, kiddo. Might as well stay away from boys altogether until you’re closer to thirty.”

Emme rolls her eyes. “Anyway, my favorite milkshake is Oreo, but they have a peanut butter chocolate one that’s just as good, so I have a hard time deciding.”

“Hmm.” I tap my lip. “Those both sound amazing. It’s going to be a tough decision.”

“Yeah, but the good thing is you can’t really go wrong. My dad takes me here all—” She jolts as if she’s touched a live wire. “I mean, he used to take me here.” Her head drops and she brings the sleeve of her hoodie to her mouth. Her thumb pushes through a tear in the fabric.

Daxton puts his arm around her and pulls her into his side. He gives me an apologetic smile as he rubs her shoulder and whispers something to her. Her small frame shakes, and she nods into his chest. After a few more seconds she excuses herself and slips out of the booth.

Daxton watches her disappear into the women’s room, worrying his bottom lip before slowly turning back to me. “Sorry about that. It comes in waves, you know? One second she’s happy and laughing and the next she’s in tears.”

“How are you managing?” I ask. Dark circles ring his eyes, and although he’s put together, his exhaustion is obvious.

“It’s a learning curve. She has to go back to school tomorrow and she’s nervous, and frankly, so am I. She’s going to have to deal with all her friends and the questions, and of course our aunt works there, so there’s added stress. The whole custody thing just threw us for a loop, especially so soon after our parents—” He pauses and clears his throat. “I’m hoping that us talking will alleviate some of her anxiety about possibly having to move.”

“How much have you told Emme?”

He fiddles with his napkin, smoothing it out. “That Linda would like her to come live with her, but that I’d like her to stay with me, so we need to figure it out.”