Noel made an exaggerated show of searching the halls before looking at Starr. “That’s true, but the others can’t know.” He winked.
“Really? I thought Eve was your favorite.”
Did Waylon detect a bit of hope in that statement? He shifted so he could see Starr’s expression. Her mouth had parted in surprise. Why did her being the favorite seem so impossible to believe?
“Eve’s too much like me to be my favorite.”
Waylon chuckled.
Starr looked at him with a bemused expression. “Why’s that so funny?”
“Because it’s true. It’s like your mom had two sets of twins, with Noel and Eve leading the way.”
“And me stuck by myself.”
Something in her tone struck a chord. Was Starr lonely? Did she feel isolated in her own home? Waylon understood loneliness. With his mom gone and sister overseas, Waylon had never felt so alone. Even when Noel offered to hang out, Waylon found himself too introspective to appreciate the company.
Before he could make a comment, the door flew open, and Angel and her fiancé sauntered in.
“We’re here!” Angel took off her camel-colored wrap and did a little jig. “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Angel,” Noel replied. “Look who else is here.” He placed a hand on Starr’s shoulder.
“Starr!” Angel flew forward, wrapping her younger sister in her arms. “I’m so glad you’re here. This is going to be a great holiday. I just know it.” Angel pulled back and beamed.
Waylon couldn’t help noting the contrast the two sisters presented. Angel’s black hair had been twisted at the nape and fixed with a diamond-encrusted hair comb, her tan satin dress was belted at the waist, and her heels mirrored stilts.
She exuded the air of a socialite, while Starr embodied . . .
Home.
He blinked. Obviously, the holidays had put him in a nostalgic mood.
“Ashton, sweetie, grab us something to drink while I catch up with Starr.” Angel fluttered her eyelashes at her fiancé.
Ashton smirked, and one eyebrow rose—along with the smarm factor. “Hello, Starr.”
He was slightly taller than Waylon, but that didn’t stop Waylon’s hands from itching to rearrange the pretty boy’s face. Men like him were always more concerned about their looks than the people in their life.
“Ashton.” Starr nodded stiffly.
Tension crackled in the air. Waylon wanted to step forward and shield Starr, but that was ridiculous. What was wrong with him? This was Noel’s kid sister.
She’s not a kid anymore.
Therein lay the problem. He hadn’t thought of her as anything but. Just because she looked beautiful in a dress and made him smile didn’t mean he had to treat her differently.
He blew out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Hey, Waylon, why don’t we head to the living room?” Noel suggested.
Waylon’s eyes flicked to Starr and back to Noel. “Sounds like a plan.” Hopefully Angel—or Ashton—wouldn’t eat Starr alive.
He followed Noel down the hall and into the living room on the right. The space showcased Christmas decorations in their full glory. Right in front of the big picture window stood an artificial green spruce that had been frosted with snow. Silver and blue bulbs covered the tree. A silver star graced the top, glowing among the white lights.
“Nice tree.”
“You know my mom.” Noel shrugged. “She expects perfection for the holidays.”
“Are you sure? Because with Ashton around, you might get less than perfect.”
Noel frowned as he sat in the wingback chair across from Waylon. “How’s the store?”
“Not today.” He let out a groan.
Noel nodded slowly, his expression becoming stern. “Then maybe we should talk about how you were eyeing my little sister out there.”
Heat climbed up Waylon’s neck as he floundered for words.
“It was a little disturbing, man. We’re talking about my baby sister here.”
“I . . .” What am I supposed to say?
Noel howled with laughter. “You should see the look on your face.” He wiped his eyes.
Waylon rubbed a hand down his pant leg. “I didn’t expect her to look so . . . beautiful.” Breathtaking. Even now, he was waiting for her to join them in the living room so he could be near her again.
Why? He’d never reacted to a woman like this before. And it wasn’t like he hadn’t been around Starr before. Granted, he couldn’t remember the last time they’d hung out or if he’d had a girlfriend at the time or not. Maybe that was the problem. He hadn’t dated in a couple of years.
“She grew up.”
“I noticed.” His lips twisted.
Noel shook his head. “Seriously though. She could use a friend. With the whole wedding fiasco, I’m afraid Starr will get lost in the festivities Angel has planned.”
“I can’t believe Angel and . . .” Waylon blew out a breath.
“Angel’s oblivious to others.”
Could Waylon hang around Starr and not want anything more than friendship? He thought of her face when she saw Angel and Ashton walk in. Resolve had him nodding. “I can be a friend.”
Noel rubbed his chin. “Thank you. You’re one of the few friends I’d trust around my sister.”
Waylon’s leg jostled up and down. As a friend were the unspoken words. But at least it gave him an opportunity to ensure Ashton didn’t mess with Starr. “Happy to help.”
“Thanks, man.” Noel sighed. “If she knows she’s not alone, maybe the holidays will be enjoyable for her. Angel certainly won’t care.”
Considering how selfish Angel had always been, Waylon could agree with the assessment. “Consider me Team Starr.” He grimaced inwardly. Why was he fumbling for adequate words?
Fortunately, Noel simply nodded.
Waylon sat back, sinking into the pale gray couch cushions. “Is the rest of your family here?”
“Eve’s changing, and we’re waiting for Dad to return home.”
“Working on Thanksgiving?” At Noel’s nod, he continued. “How’s life at the bank?”
“The same.” Noel loosened his tie. “And not. Dad is thinking of retiring.”
“Does that mean you’re next in line?”
“Most likely.”
Waylon let loose a low whistle. “You ready for that responsibility?”
“I’ve been groomed for it.”
“But . . . ?”
Noel shrugged. “Time will tell.”
“I’ll be praying for you, man.”
“Thanks.”
Before Noel could continue, Angel and Starr entered the room. He scanned Starr’s face, seeking a hint of emotion. Her lips were in a flat line. Did that mean she was irritated? Upset? She sat at the opposite end of the couch he occupied.
“I was telling Starr all the festivities we have planned leading up to the wedding.” Angel lowered into a chair, crossing her legs at the same time. She would have been a perfect pageant princess.
“How many are there?” he asked out of curiosity.
Angel beamed, flashing her white teeth. Waylon vaguely remembered all the Lewis children in braces at one time or another.