She led them inside, and Kenzie was pulled back into a warm body then felt a kiss at her temple. “Relax. You already have an in with my mom. It’s me. I’m your in.”
She laughed and let go of the tension she hadn’t realize she’d been carrying.
His mother was so sweet and pretty and had so many mannerisms similar to Evan’s. It just felt so important that she like Kenzie.
Jerome seemed as different from Jane Griffith as he could be. Dark where she was light. Bald, handsome, and so masculine. He had some kind of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ancestry. His dark eyes gleamed when he caught sight of Evan.
“Hey, Evan. So good to see you again.” He stood behind Jane, his hands on her shoulders.
Kenzie noticed the tight grip and wondered if Jerome was nervous and, if so, if Evan had given him a hard time.
But Evan didn’t act as if he noticed. He stepped forward.
Jerome watched Jane set the box on the counter then accepted a big hug from Evan. He seemed to ease into the embrace and moved back after a moment looking much more relaxed.
“Well, that’s all right.” Jerome’s wide smile moved to Daniel. “Is this the soccer star?”
Daniel’s clear pride eased all of Kenzie’s fears. Her brother would do just fine here. “Yes, sir. I’m Daniel.”
Where the hell had her brother picked upsir? She gaped, and Evan closed her jaw with a low laugh.
“And your pretty sister. Kenzie, is it?” Jerome held out a hand to her.
She took it, and he clasped it in both of his. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“I hope so. Your man there can be a little intimidating.”
Evan puffed up. “See? I am a man, Kenzie. No need for any more confusion.”
Daniel laughed.
“Man?” His mother chuckled. “More like a strutting peacock. Now who’s ready for some coffee and sweets? I thought we’d wait until Smith arrives to eat breakfast, but it’s okay if we nibble.”
“That’s fine by me,” Jerome said. He engaged Kenzie in conversation, and she learned he’d made his money as a geologist who’d transitioned into the oil business. Some profitable work in Colombia and Nigeria had allowed him to eventually buy his way out of his oil company to go back and teach geology at the university level.
“And now I’m retired and loving life. My kids are grown and living abroad, so I don’t see them much. But I found Jane, and I’m consolidating. Moving into the house on Bainbridge. Have you been to the island?”
“Oh, not in a long time.” She blew on the cup of coffee Evan had refreshed for her. A sip showed he’d put in the right amount of cream and sugar. Just one of many small things he seemed to know or remember about her. “Thanks, Evan.”
He smiled and left her with Jerome. Evan joined his mom and Daniel by the sweets, eating as much as her brother, who was actually on his best behavior and not gobbling down everything in sight. In fact, he seemed to be paying particular attention to Evan, doing what Evan did.
“You know, Evan thinks the world of you,” Jerome said, his voice pitched low. “I can’t tell you how often his mother hears your name coming up in conversation. I’m so pleased you came today. She—and I—have really been wanting to meet you.”
Kenzie blushed. “Oh, it’s my pleasure. I know how much Evan loves his mom. I was pretty intimidated to come, to be honest.”
“Bah. Why? Jane is a sweetheart. I’m just her humble servant.”
Her love slave?slipped into Kenzie’s mind, and she coughed as she choked on a sip. “Sorry. Hot coffee.”
He patted her back. “Good coffee, good food, good company. Though if we don’t start eating soon, my stomach might crawl out of me and start eating on its own. I don’t know if this Smith fella is coming.”
She agreed. She had to eat, and she’d been doing her best to avoid the carbs her stomach and thighs craved but that she didn’t need. “Evan wasn’t sure he’d show either. I gather there’s some family drama connected to Smith.”
Jerome sighed. “A lot, yes.”
The doorbell rang.
Everyone froze. Then Evan moved before his mother could.
