Kyle caught Lexi’s eye and smiled. “But I’m better at holding an interesting conversation. Kenneth has literally bored people to death before with his financial wizardry.”
The doorbell rang.
“That must be Dad and Kenneth,” Keefe said. “I’ll get it.”
In just a moment, two more handsome warriors entered the room, one young and incredibly good-looking, the older man rugged and striking. It was obvious the boys got at least part of their good looks from their father.
When Kenneth was introduced to Lexi, he held her hand for a long moment. “I am incredibly pleased to meet you.”
Chapter Nine
Kyle watched his brother hanging onto Lexi’s hand, and thought, uh-oh, it’s happening again. Every time he found a good-looking woman who seemed to be interested in him, Kenneth stepped in and walked away with the woman. Even his one and only ex-fiancé had dated Kenneth a few times after their breakup.
But, then, Lexi was hardly his woman.
And now that Kenneth was here, Kyle wouldn’t need to worry about his attention being taken up by this good-looking fun-to-be-around neighbor any more. Kenneth would no doubt monopolize her time.
Alyssa stepped up and linked her arm through Kyle’s, and whispered in his ear. “It appears Kenneth finds your neighbor attractive.”
“He finds every woman attractive.”
“Yes, but this one is different, isn’t she?”
Kyle looked into Alyssa’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
She smiled and patted his arm with her other hand. “My dear brother-in-law, you haven’t gotten it, have you? You need to get to know this woman better.”
“I’ll leave that up to Kenneth.”
“Yeah, well, that’s how you’ve always left it, isn’t it? Don’t you think it’s about time you go for what you want, and not let Kenneth just take over out of default?”
“There’s nothing to take over. Lexi is just an overzealous neighbor.”
“Sure, she is.” Alyssa nodded but the look on her face showed plainly that she didn’t believe a word of it.
He didn’t try to convince her again.
His father came over for a bear hug, and wrapped Kyle in his arms. “Good to see you again, Son.”
“Glad you could make it, Dad.”
His father pulled back and the sparkle was back in his faded blue eyes. “Oh, I wouldn’t have missed this party for the world.” He’d never quite lost that hint of Irish lilt in his voice, and the sound of it warmed Kyle.
When Kenneth finally released Lexi’s hand, Kyle introduced her to his father.
“I am doubly glad to be meeting you, young lady.” His father awkwardly touched her arm.
She smiled at his father, a sparkle in her eyes. “I am so glad to meet all of the handsome warriors in one room.”
There was silence for a moment, and Lexi looked around as if to see if she’d said something wrong.
After the briefest pause, his father smiled. “That would be the honest truth. Now I don’t suppose these sons of mine have told you I’m the most handsome of the lot, have they? And that I’m the most eligible bachelor of all?”
Kenneth laughed. “Dad, you are totally full of blarney this fine evening.”
“Perhaps. And perhaps I speak only the truth.”
A relieved look on her face, Lexi turned to Kyle. “I need to bring over the food from my ovens.”
Before he could open his mouth to offer assistance, Kenneth said, “I’ll help.”
“Thanks,” she said and looked at the rest of them. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come, too,” Kyle said.
“We’ll be fine,” Kenneth said. “You just sit here and visit with the family.”
Kenneth put his hand on Lexi’s back as they left the house. Kenneth was always much too forward. His father should have taught him better than that. Then Kyle wouldn’t be feeling this incredible sense of loss. He couldn’t explain it. His brother was simply helping his neighbor carry food over from her house. But apparently his feelings went deeper than those for just a neighbor. He had to admit that Lexi had become a very good friend in only a few days. And he might like to take it further, but he wasn’t inclined to dally with someone who lived right next door. He wasn’t the settling down kind. After all, he was thirty years old and hadn’t done so yet.
Keefe put a hand on his shoulder. “You know, Bro, it’s interesting to see you and Lexi together in the same room.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You watch her like Dad used to watch Mama.”
“No way.” But he recalled having had nearly the same thought at her house the other night. It just made it more real to have someone else notice it.