Reid laughed. “Yeah, Aunt Jane’s my hero. And so are you if you keep an eye on Smith.”
“I’m giving myself a bonus,” he grumbled, his thoughts all over the place. Smith, his mom, Kenzie…
“You’ve more than earned it. Now come talk to Naomi and remind her how great I am. I don’t want her to forget.”
“As if you and your ego would let her.”
Reid put him all too easily in a headlock and dragged him over to the others, who laughed. “Say it. Come on, Evan. Say it.”
“Jackass.”
Reid’s arms squeezed harder. “Say it…”
“Reid is great.” His cousin let him go, and Evan rubbed his neck, scowling. “A great big asshole.”
“Reid!” Naomi laughed and gave Evan a hug. “Oh, you poor thing. Let me help you make it better.”
“A kiss might help,” Evan said, sounding weak, and met Reid’s narrowed gaze with a smiling one of his own.
“Get your own girl,” Reid growled and pulled Naomi to him then whispered something in her ear that had her blushing.
“You heard the man,” Hector said. “Just text me when and where.”
“Will do.” Evan nodded, wanting what his cousin had.
A woman in his arms, surrounded by friends and family.
* * *
Friday evening, Kenzie sat with Lila and twisted the napkin in her lap.
“Nervous much?” Lila teased. “Though it serves you right, involving me in your sex games.”
The young server, who’d dropped by to take their drink order, stuttered that she’d be right back with more water.
Lila whooped with laughter, and Kenzie grimaced, staring at the already full water glasses on their table. “Great. There goes our service for the night. You scared away our waitress.”
“Worth it.” Lila glanced around. “So Evan’s coming?”
“He said he was. Should I be glad or afraid that you being here didn’t scare him off?”
“I’m impressed, to be honest.” Lila looked gorgeous as usual. She wore a buttercream tank top that showed off her toned arms and curvy figure, as did the tight jeans and strappy sandals.
Kenzie had done her best to look as if she hadn’t dressed with Evan in mind while second- and third-guessing every decision she made, from what shoes to what shade of eyeliner to wear. She’d settled on a cute linen skirt, flat sandals, and a cropped pink top.
“I should have just gone out with him myself, huh?”
“Yep.” Lila never pulled her punches. “You look like a total loser bringing your girlfriend along. No way he believes it’s my birthday dinner.” Lila grunted. “But you can bet your ass I want cake.”
“I told you I’d get you some.” Kenzie let go of her napkin to worry at her bracelet, a silver-and-turquoise piece that had been her mother’s favorite. “Now I feel silly.”
“Good. Can I just say I told you so? Hell, girl, who brings a buddy on a dinner date…that isn’t a teenager, I mean? Do you want me to drive you to the movies too? Make sure he stays at least six inches away from you at all times?”
Kenzie cringed. “No. And we’re not going to the movies.”
“I was making a point.” Lila sipped her water. Her eyes widened, caught on the area by the bar.
Kenzie glanced over and saw Evan dressed in jeans and a button-down blue shirt that made his eyes look amazing. God, he was handsome, turning more than a few heads as he smiled and made his way to the table.
