“Yeah, yeah. More than T&A, I get it.” At Evan’s raised brow, Daniel muttered, “I know about sex stuff.”
“Good.” Evan watched the party, still smiling.
“Hey, Evan. You wanted a favor?”
“What? Oh, right. My mom wants to meet Kenzie.”
“Cool. So you want me to occupy myself while she’s gone. Dude, I do that all the time. I—”
“And you. My mom wants to meet Kenzie and you, so do you think you could join us for brunch tomorrow morning? I know it’s a lot to ask, and my mom’s kind of old and probably boring to a teenager, but it would mean a lot to me.”
Daniel just stared, puzzled and…happy. Warmth unfurled because, just, wow. “You sure?”
Evan frowned. “Did I stutter? Look, I know it’s an imposition, but—”
“No, no. It’s all cool. Gotta be there for your mom, right?”So stupid to feel giddy about Evan asking to introduce me to his mom.
Evan nodded. “Yeah. I appreciate it. I haven’t told Kenzie yet, though. She’s still a little weird about dating me.”
“A little?”
Evan laughed. “Okay, a lot. So let me break it to her. But I’ll pick you guys up at eleven. Be ready.”
“So do I need to wear a tie or anything?”
Evan put an arm around him and squeezed, and Daniel felt that hug all the way to his feet, grounding him to this moment he’d never forget.
“Nah. But if your clothes were clean and didn’t have any holes, that would be cool.”
“S-sure.” Daniel coughed and quickly excused himself. “See you tomorrow!” He raced inside, feeling edgy and teary and plain excited for no reason that he could think of but that he’d found something in Evan’s companionship. Something that might have a shot at growing, if Kenzie would just deal with her feelings for the guy.
Daniel sighed. He’d have to keep an eye on his sister and hope she didn’t mess this up. Because Evan was the closet thing to a father—well, older brother—he’d had that felt genuine in forever. Bryce not included. And he didn’t want that to change.
* * *
Kenzie had changed her clothes four times. The fact that her brother wore a collared shirt and jeans instead of a T-shirt and shorts had at first unnerved her. Now it terrified her. Daniel had fallen. She had seen him last night standing with Evan, a bad case of hero worship on his face. He talked about nothing but his soccer game or Evan all night and all morning, and her nerves were shot.
God, why did Evan want her and Daniel to meet his mother?
From her bed, where Daniel lounged, waiting, he said, “So Evan told me his mom likes apple fritters from Sofa’s Bakery. Is that why you got up so early and bought a bunch?”
She’d also had them add some other sugary treats so it wouldn’t seem like she was trying to impress his mom. Which she wasn’t. Not really. She was just being a thoughtful guest.
She came out dressed in a simple floral sundress with a cornflower-blue cardigan in case it got cold.
“Wow. You look nice.”
Kenzie froze. “Too nice? Too dressy? I should change.”
Daniel groaned. “Why are girls so weird?”
A car horn beeped from outside, and he shot off the bed.
“Finally. Hurry up, Kenzie. I’m taking the bakery box to the car.”
She had to go in what she had on, so she added a spritz of perfume, patted her hair, and forced herself to calm down. She grabbed her purse and keys, locked the door behind her, then joined Evan and Daniel in the car.
Evan didn’t comment on her attire, though he did smile at her, so she didn’t feel overdressed. To Daniel, he said, “Nice shirt. I have one like it somewhere. I can’t find it, and I swear I left it hanging up at work, then my cousin wore an identical shirt to work a week later. I see him wearing it, I’m stealing it back.”
