“Right.” He snapped a few horizontal ones, then rotated his phone for a vertical view. “Hey, take one with me, and I’ll get the tree in the background.”
Starr’s dad had gotten them seats up close. Waylon should easily be able to get the tree in the background. He bent his knees in order to place his face near Starr’s to take a few more photos. He took his time, reveling at her nearness. He snapped a final frame, then stood to his full height.
The first family walked off stage, and a country music duo took their place. They got the crowd clapping as they sang a twangy rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” After them, another artist took the stage. The music continued, showcasing different artists from a variety of genres, as they serenaded the crowd. When a famous R&B singer took the stage, Starr whispered in Waylon’s ear, sending shivers down his neck.
“Everyone’s getting ready to head out. Dad doesn’t want to be caught up in the crowd, and he has it on good authority that this is the last song.”
“Lead the way.”
Starr smiled and followed her siblings out of the row and down the aisle. Some people seated in the back were already moving toward the exit. Waylon checked his cell for the time. Nine o’clock. Not too late. Maybe they could stop for an evening snack.
You just want to spend more time with Starr.
True. Something about her made his life seem brighter and full of hope. The grief wasn’t so prominent with her around. Not that that was the only reason he wanted to know more about her. But maybe keeping in mind that grief was still very present in his life should keep him from crossing any lines.
As they turned onto the sidewalk, the family members began pairing off. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis led the way with Noel and Eve behind them, then Angel and Ashton, leaving Gabe to form a trio with Waylon and Starr at the rear.
“I’m starving,” Gabe remarked.
“I was thinking about getting something to eat too.” Waylon looked at Starr. “What do you think?”
“That sounds good.”
Angel turned around. “Are you guys going somewhere to eat?”
“You know we are, Angel.” Gabe smirked at his twin.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
Waylon wanted to object because where Angel went, Ashton slinked behind her.
“Grilled Cheese Bar?” Gabe suggested.
Waylon shook his head. “They’re closed by now.”
“Old Ebbit Grill?” Angel asked.
“Sounds good,” Gabe said.
“What do you think, Starr?” Waylon didn’t want her to feel pressured to go now that Angel and Ashton had invited themselves. Yet he wanted to spend time with her—and not only because Noel suggested it.
“Sure.” But her smile looked a little forced, and her voice didn’t hold the same excitement as earlier.
Waylon wanted to shoo the Double A’s away. Didn’t they care how Starr felt about their presence? Then again, Angel did make Starr a bridesmaid, so that showed how her sister rated on the care-factor scale.
He exhaled and moved closer to Starr. “You can sit by me and continue telling me all about New York.”
“Or maybe you can tell me about your store.” The lights glittered in her eyes as she smiled up at him.
Was that his heart thumping, or did he have indigestion? There was something about Starr Lewis that struck him, making him more introspective than normal. Even though it had been a couple of years since he’d dated, other women had caught his eye. Yet she was the first who made him want to know her more.
They walked up Fifteenth Street and entered Old Ebbit Grill. Tantalizing smells greeted them, and Waylon’s stomach responded as if only just realizing it was famished. Noel and Eve had declined the late-night dinner invitation and had followed their parents home.
As the rest of them sat at a table, Waylon discreetly examined Ashton. Angel’s fiancé had a slick demeanor to him that made it easy for Waylon to imagine him schmoozing Washington’s elite. He could understand Angel falling for that kind of guy, but Starr . . .
What had she seen in him? And did Waylon have any chance of being more than just friends with her?
Slow your roll, dude. Noel asked you to be a friend. Plus, she’s only here for the holidays. Do you really want to start a relationship that will be long distance and most likely break your heart?
He reached for his glass of water. Probably not.
“I haven’t been here in forever.” Angel flipped her hair over her shoulder. “What are you guys going to get?” She winked at Gabe. “Of course, everyone knows you’re getting wings.”
The rest of them laughed.
“Hey, you can’t ruin wings.” Gabe threw his balled-up straw wrapper at Angel.
“Take a risk and try something different. Maybe the oysters?”
Gabe made a face reminiscent of a toddler eating vegetable baby food for the first time.
Starr closed her menu. “I’m getting the clam chowder.”
Waylon smiled as she blew on her hands to warm them. “Are you cold?”
“A bit.”
“You’re always cold.” Ashton smirked.
Both Angel and Starr froze. Waylon could feel the tension pouring off Starr, and Angel’s smile looked like it would crack any second.
A server came, interrupting the moment with a request for drink orders. Waylon watched Ashton out of the corner of his eye. He wasn’t so naïve as to think no other man had dated two sisters, but the smugness that clung to Ashton left a bad taste in Waylon’s mouth. There was no remorse in Ashton’s expressions, just an oily residue.
“Did you reschedule the wedding-favor social?” Gabe asked, either ignoring the tension in the air or trying to break it.
Starr let out a breath.
Angel nodded. “I did. It looks like Wednesday evening will be the best time for all in the wedding party.”
“Not for me.” Gabe frowned. “Dad expects me to stay late at the bank that day.”
“I told him I need you more.”
“Did he agree to that?”
“Of course.” Angel shrugged one shoulder.
Did she always get her way? Waylon remembered Angel being vain as a child, but had she always been this self-centered?
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
“Since you aren’t doing anything, Starr, you can help me take the items over to Ashton’s parents’ place.”
“All right.”
Starr’s voice had gotten quiet. Waylon couldn’t sit by and let her get railroaded by her obnoxious sister. Not to mention the thought of having the party at Ashton’s didn’t sit too well with him.
“I was planning on giving Starr a ride over. Can she come the same time as everyone else?” He purposely contorted his features into a sheepish expression. “I doubt I could close the store earlier.”
Something like irritation flashed across Angel’s face. But the small hand that found his under the table and gave it a squeeze made Angel’s annoyance fall like water down his back.
“That’s fine.” Ashton looked at Angel. “My friends can help you. Remember, they’re on vacation just like Starr.”
“But she’s my sister,” Angel pouted.
“I’m helping Waylon,” Starr said. “His store needs some marketing help.”