“I see.”
“And it wasn’t actually all Bryce’s fault. Daniel had a tough time with Bryce at the beginning. Bryce was the first guy Kenzie brought home to live with them. She hasn’t been with a lot of guys, Evan. I mean, she had a few boyfriends before Bryce, but no one serious.” She sounded as if there was something lacking in Kenzie because of that.
“That doesn’t matter to me. I like her the way she is just fine.”
Lila studied him. “She was just fine for Bryce too. You ask me, she was too nice to him. He helped take care of her, but she bent over backwards to make him feel good. Why the hell didn’t they vacation whereshewanted to go? Or eat out atherfavorite restaurants? Oh, Bryce would pay for them all, and he had manners. He wasn’t abusive or anything. He was a nice guy. But he was a little selfish.”
Evan listened and made note of all she said. “Where did Kenzie want to vacation? Where does she like to eat? I know she likes flowers, but what’s her favorite?”
“See? Bryce should have asked those questions. He didn’t. He just did what he wanted to be nice, and she accepted it. I mean, that’s cool and all, but still. Why not do whatshewanted instead of what he wanted for her? See the difference?”
“I think so.” Evan studied Lila. “But none of that explains why she’s avoiding me. You weren’t there, but we all had such a good time Saturday. Ask Rachel.”
“She told me.” Lila sighed. “Come on, Evan. You’re a smart guy. Obviously Kenzie likes you. I know my girl, and she’s way too emphatic about how you two are ‘just friends.’” Lila snorted. “Please. Even Daniel sees through that. Kenzie really likes you, and you’re the first guy since Bryce she’s dated. You’re not a rebound guy, but she’s understandably gun-shy. What if she likes you a ton and you dump her like Bryce did? And now it’s worse because she introduced you to Daniel and the kid likes you too. I heard how he watched you play soccer and how he asked you and Will to help him out today.
“That boy doesn’t ask for anything. Even with Rachel and me, he’s not grabby or demanding. And we’re his aunts!”
“So Kenzie’s afraid I’ll ditch her.”
“That’s what Rachel and I think.”
“But that’s a problem because I can’t prove I won’t. Couples grow together, in love or out. I can only show her, day by day, that I’m here.” He decided to share a truth the others would come to see eventually. “I care for her. A lot. She’s amazing.”
“Yeah, she is.” Lila smiled at him. “Evan, I like you. And not just because you introduced me to Hector. Kenzie’s happier now. And I know it’s because of you. But you have to be careful with her, okay?” Though she didn’t addor I’ll break your legs,it was a given.
“That’s all I want. But I can’t do that if she avoids me. I’m not going to harass her. She shouldwantto be with me. I shouldn’t have to guilt her into spending time with me.”
“I know. Look. Let me ask you something.”
“What?”
She leaned closer. “What do you really think about Daniel?”
“Daniel?” He shrugged. “He’s a smart-ass, a pretty decent soccer player, and a nice kid.” Evan had enjoyed showing Daniel how to fix things Saturday. Spending time with the boy filled that need for male companionship, but more, for that missing sibling he’d always wanted but never had.
Cash and Reid had each other, and though they tried, that closeness just didn’t extend far enough to him to make him feel a solid part of their unit. Oh, they would do anything for him. But he wasn’t the first guy they looked to if going to hang out.
Daniel had seemed to soak up Evan’s coaching, and he’d paid close attention to everything Evan said on Saturday about the house. For his part, Evan had liked teaching Daniel things. And being a part of Daniel and Kenzie’s world felt perfect, as if Evan fit.
But he also wanted Kenzie to himself. Had that been part of what had pushed Bryce away? Always having to share the woman he loved?
“You take on Kenzie, you take on Daniel.” Lila nodded. “So maybe you should think about that.”
“I will.”
He still missed her, but Lila had a point. Maybe Evan should see if he could handle Daniel, one on one and for more than a few days. Perhaps Evan got a kick out of game nights because they were so new. Would soccer games and quiet nights with just Kenzie and Daniel grow boring? Having a young teenager underfoot would interfere…
Evan didn’t hit the bars, wasn’t into the party scene, and liked the quiet after a hard day’s work. What was he clinging to, exactly?
Lila tapped him on the shoulder. “Kenzie loves the food from Pecado Bueno. That’s a go-to for when she doesn’t want to cook. Dinner at Manolin will get you big points, and I know she’s been dying to go to Tarsan i Jane, but that place is pricey. She really wants to go to Hawaii for a vacation, just because she’s never been anywhere tropical. And she likes flowers of all kinds, though she’s partial to tulips, which I think is weird, but that’s Kenzie. My turn now.”
Lila had beenmorethan helpful.
“Thanks, Lila. A lot. So what can I tell you about Hector? We’re friends, but not best friends or anything.”
“Ah, Hector.” She sighed. “I think I said something that annoyed him last night, but I can’t tell what it was. I know about his time in the Navy. That he has a twin brother—hubba hubba—and that he has family in New Orleans. He said he plans to stick with the moving company and go back to school for a business degree. Maybe. But in any case, Hector has plans.”
“Sounds about right. Hector is one of the nicest guys I know. He gets along with everyone, and I know Reid thinks of him as second in charge of the company, well, after Cash.”
