She blinked up at him. “H-hi, Evan.” She sounded weak, even to her own ears.
“Hey, Kenzie.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. Then moved to Lila and did the same to her. “Lovely Lila.”
“Well, hel-lo, handsome.” Then she smiled widely over his shoulder. “And who’s your friend?”
Kenzie hadn’t noticed anyone but Evan. The handsome man giving Lila a subtle but approving once-over smiled. Muscular, a little bit shorter than Evan, and sexy, the man had a smile that made her want to smile back. His eyes crinkled as he studied her. “You must be Kenzie.”
Evan prodded his friend to move into one of the chairs across from theirs. “This is my buddy, Hector. I hope you don’t mind me bringing him.” The too-bright smile he shot her raised her suspicion. About what, she didn’t yet know.
“Not at all,” Kenzie said, keeping her voice even. “Hi, Hector.”
“Great to meet you.” Hector smiled and turned his gaze to Lila. “And Lila, it’s a real pleasure.”
“Oh,” Lila said. “Is ityourbirthdaytoo, Hector?” Obviously not making any attempt to go along with Kenzie’s cover story.
Kenzie wanted to hide behind her menu.
“Ah, I…” Hector paused.
“Whyyes, Lila, it is,” Evan said, his eyes gleaming. He smirked at Kenzie. “Can you believe that? What a great idea to celebrate at dinner, am I right?”
Hector shot Evan a cautious glance before looking back at Kenzie. “Sure. I’m always game for a meal, and what could be better than dinner with two beautiful ladies?”
Lila grinned. “I like this one. So how old are you, handsome?”
“Thirty. You?”
“You’re not supposed to ask a woman how old she is. How old do you think I look?”
Hector laughed and shook his head, then he waved at a passing server. “We need drinks over here.”
They laughed and ordered, and Kenzie started to feel at ease. Small talk centered around how everyone knew everyone.
“Yeah, Evan’s the new guy at the job,” Hector said. “He wasn’t man enough to be in the Navy, but hey, the Marines took him, so it’s all good.”
Evan scoffed. “Please.”
“But he also keeps us rolling in legit money and the IRS off our back, so that’s good.”
“Legit money as opposed to the billions we’re cleaning for the mob, you mean?” Evan said dryly. “Just because taxes intimidate most people doesn’t mean they’re actually that hard to do. Or that men in black suits will break your legs if you miss a deadline.”
“If you’re an accountant, they’re not hard to do. They frustrate the crap out of me.” Lila sighed. “I hear you’re going to help Kenzie iron out a few problems. So thanks in advance, unless you get her arrested for tax evasion. Then I’ll kill you.”
Kenzie groaned. “Lila, relax on the death threats. At least until we have wine.” The waiter finally dropped off their drinks, and she took a hefty sip of her chardonnay.
“Lila sounds a lot like Daniel.” Evan chuckled. “Why does everyone think a problem with the IRS equals jail time?”
“What?” Kenzie frowned. What had Daniel been saying?
“Before you scoff at my death threats, I have to say I think they’re an important part of any beginning relationship.” Lila nodded.
Kenzie thought,Kill me now.To her relief, Evan didn’t seem offended. He looked to be biting back a grin.
Lila wouldn’t stop talking. “Hey, if he scares off this easily, he’s not the guy for you.”
“Exactly,” Hector agreed.
Lila drank her beer. “Great. Threats have been delivered. Now let’s talk about you being in the Navy, Hector. Because I love a man with guns.” She waggled her brows, staring at his thickly muscled arms.
