Thoughts of how sweet she’d been, how fascinating, a contradiction of shyness yet the strength to tease him as well, had only enhanced everything he found attractive about her.
On one hand, he wanted to sit and listen to her husky voice for hours while he stared into her eyes—not brown but a subtle blend of green and amber whose color constantly shifted. On the other, he too easily imagined watching those eyes close with passion as he drove inside her, feeling all those soft curves hinted at under her pretty pink shirt.
God, the woman was a walking wet dream. Even Hector had mentioned how beautiful she was…when not gushing over Lila. That had been a treat: Hector thunderstruck by the Amazon that was Lila.
That evening at the bowling alley while he waited with Hector at their lanes, he joked, “Remember, I get an invite to the wedding.”
“Ass.” Hector glanced away, embarrassed and trying to hide it.
Especially when Evan laughed at him.
“Say what you want, but you have it bad for Kenzie. She’s fine, man. Can’t fault your taste. But she’s no Lila.” Hector smiled. “That woman is funny, sexy, and she likes me. I can tell.”
“I thought they all liked you.”
“Well, they usually do,” Hector said with very little modesty. “But there’s something about Lila that’s so real. I can’t explain it.”
Join the club.The first time Evan had seen Kenzie, he’d been shaken. Shattered. And time spent with her only reinforced the fact she was special. Tonight he’d get to see her with her friends and Daniel.
Oddly enough, he looked forward to spending time with the teenager. Daniel reminded him a little of himself, smart and itching to rebel. But while Daniel clearly tangled with authority, Evan had been more subtle.
And speaking of authority… He frowned, wondering why his mother was ducking his calls. He’d planned to take her to a doctor’s appointment this morning, but she’d gone on her own, claiming she didn’t need his help.
Was she upset over something he’d done? Hadn’t done?
Evan didn’t consider himself a mama’s boy, but he loved his mom. Her illness felt so much like Rita’s it scared him. Though he knew they’d caught his mother’s symptoms way earlier than they’d caught Rita’s. He’d left a message on her phone but planned to head over for Sunday breakfast to clear the air. Thinking that made him feel better. He didn’t like conflict with family. Hell, he didn’t like conflict at all.
Will and Rachel arrived, and he waved at them. After he made the introductions, Lila showed up with Kenzie and Daniel. The boy looked as if he’d rather be anywhere but there until he spotted Evan.
He left his sister and Lila behind as they grabbed rental shoes and trotted over. “Hey.”
“Hi, Daniel. This is my friend Hector.”
Daniel nodded. “Hello.”
Hector held out a hand, and Daniel’s eyes widened as he took it. Evan masked a grin. Hector had a grip like a human vise.
“Nice to meet you.” Hector grinned. “So are you the mastermind behind ‘Dancing Queen’?”
Daniel flushed. “Ah, yeah.”
Hector slapped him on the back, and Daniel nearly toppled over. “Awesome.”
Will told them all to get ready to lose, badly. Rachel made a face, then Daniel told her to dream on. Evan tried to plug into the conversation as everyone started trash-talking everyone else. But he couldn’t stop looking over at Kenzie.
“Relax, Evan,” Rachel murmured, taking no pity on him. “She’s coming.”
“Shush.”
She laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “So how are we doing this?”
“Guys against girls seems only fair,” Evan said.
“What about me?” Daniel frowned.
“Um, you’re a guy, aren’t you?” Evan made himself focus on Daniel even though Lila and Kenzie approached in colorful bowling shoes.
Kenzie held a large pair out to her brother. “Here. Be prepared for the slaughter.” She held up a bowling bag.
