“Yeah? Cool.”
Warmed by the boy’s amusement, Evan asked, “I’m sure you’re celebrating tonight.”
“Well, that’s the other thing. I’ve been waiting to tell Kenzie and the girls. Kenzie’s going to want to make a big deal out of it.”
“Itisa big deal.”
“I know.” Daniel sounded so proud, and Evan couldn’t have been happier for him. “But the guys on the team planned to get together instead. I want to go, but I don’t want to hurt Kenzie’s feelings. We always celebrate big things together. So I was thinking maybe you could go over there and, like, distract her. Be all manly or something and make her want to be with you instead of me.”
“All manly? Look, cockalorum, Iammanly. And I’ve been trying…” No, best not to drag Daniel into his issues with Kenzie. “I’ll deal with your sister. Tell her I was bugging you about returning some tax documents. And that I was bugging you because she’s been too busy to return my calls.”
“Oh, blowing you off, is she? And hey, what’s a cocka—that thing you said?”
“Believe it or not,cockalorumis a real word meaning a self-important dickhead.”I’ve had to resort to Google to keep up with a thirteen-year-old. I’m embarrassed at myself. Still, it’s a great word.“It applies to you, trust me.”
“Hmm. I think someone has been using the dictionary. So lame, asshat.”
Evan groaned. “I know.” He talked over Daniel’s laughter. “And for the record, your sister is not blowing me off.”She’s totally blowing me off.“We’re both busy people.”
“Sure thing, slick.”
“Do you want this favor or not?” he growled.
“Sure, sure. Kidding, man. So I’ll tell her to text you. And maybe you can let me know when you guys are together, and then I’ll drop the news I made the team.”
“That works. Of course, that’s if your sister takes the bait.”
“Oh, she’ll take it. Thanks, Evan. About the soccer and everything.”
“No problem. It’s been fun, you know, me running rings around you pathetic teenagers.” He laughed with Daniel. “Have you talked to Will, or would you rather I—”
“No thanks. I mean, I really do like Will. He’s a great guy, but he’s more into football thanfútbol, you know? You can tell he played linebacker in high school. And he’s a little clumsy on the field.”
“Oh, you noticed.”
“Yeah. But he’s been nice, so don’t tell him I said that. Besides, he’s a lawyer so he’s probably busy. Later, man. And thanks.”
“Will’s busy, but I’m not?” Evan asked himself since Daniel had disconnected.
But the realization he might have Kenzie all to himself that night made him drive faster. Time to go home, shower, and plan. And maybe he’d stop by the market on the way and grab a few things. With Kenzie, he planned on pulling out all the stops.
Chapter 20
Kenzie glared at Evan’s door as she pounded on it. He’d better get ready to change his plans because she had no intention of hurrying away while he got ready to head out for a night on the town with “his bros, looking for a good time,” according to her brother. Her initial plan to apologize for avoiding him had turned into a need for a confrontation.
How could she think herself falling in love with someone who had plans to troll around town looking for a hookup?
Evan opened the door, freshly showered by the look of him, and like clockwork her body flooded with endorphins and those blasted take-me-I’m-yours hormones. Even in jeans and a T-shirt, the man made her drool.
“Well, well, look who finally showed at my door.”
“Oh, sorry. Am I ruining your plans?” She stomped inside, trying to ignore the fact that Evan politely stood aside, always the gentleman. He gently closed the door behind her.
Evan looked her over, his warm eyes approving. “Want something to drink? Or did you just want to grab your paperwork and go?”
“What?”
He sighed. “I told Daniel I could have easily dropped off your files whenever it’s more convenient for you.”
