“Sorry, Poppy.” Aiden clung to me. I blinked at him. Did I have the same startled expression as Poppy? “Kate and I were just grabbing something for Dawson and we have another errand to do before stores close. I hate to take you away from your family.” His smile was one I’d seen him use a million times when talking to non-friends or family. Superficial and meant to placate. “I know how much I treasure getting alone time with mine. These trips to King’s Creek are pretty special to me and Kate. You’ve met my wife, right? Poppy, this is Kate.”

Poppy’s gaze flicked to me, her lips turned down. “I don’t think so.”

He was brushing her off? And with such ease, like he’d done it a million times before. Had he been practicing? Or had he said what he’d been dying to tell others for so long when they dominated his time? Had all he needed was permission not to be “on” as the CFO twenty-four seven?

I adopted the same grin as Aiden. “I think we met at Beck’s engagement party.”

Her brow crinkled like she was struggling to, one, remember me and, two, recall that Aiden was married.

Aiden’s brow furrowed in a way that was similar to his smile. Mild. Fake. “Were you there?” He shook his head and chuckled ruefully. “Sorry. I only remember being swamped with work and wishing I could just be alone with my wife.”

Poppy blinked several times. She hadn’t been the only one to latch on to Aiden that night, but she’d been the most persistent. I didn’t like insulting people, but in this case, I’d forgive it. If Poppy hadn’t been acting like she would steal him out from under me, then she’d only be mildly confused at his statement.

Aiden tipped his head, nothing but a pleasant gleam in his eye. “Merry Christmas, Poppy.” He towed me away toward the checkout line.

The older cashier beamed at our approach. She chatted with Aiden about Dawson and Bristol’s wedding and she’d heard it was nice. Unlike Poppy, she didn’t demand all his attention, and she spoke to me as much as him.

We finished up. Aiden lifted the bag and wrapped his hand around mine until we reached the pickup. He opened the door and helped me inside. Once he swung into the driver’s seat like it wasn’t five feet off the ground, I said, “Thank you.”

He leaned closer to me and dropped his voice. “I bet she doesn’t give a damn about wind energy either.”

“Not one bit.” I grinned as he fired up the engine. The loud rumbling echoed across the parking lot. All the pickup needed to do was backfire and we’d tick all the redneck boxes. “Did you have any fallout from brushing Hailey off?”