Page 47 of Finding Kyler
“Shut it. I don’t evenlikehim, and you can quit playing matchmaker, or whatever it is you’re trying to do.”
“Calling it as I see it, and you’d better be careful. You don’t want Mom and Dad figuring out this thing between you. They won’t be pleased. Especially not Dad.”
It’s not as if I don’t understand why starting something with my cousin would be frowned upon. Appearance is crucial to the Kennedys. That’s becoming more and more obvious. Maintaining a certain image feeds into the brand they’ve so carefully cultivated, and I understand that it’s more than social reputation that’s at stake. Any whiff of scandal could significantly damage their brand.
My heart splinters a little at that realization, knowing Kyler and I will never be able to act on our attraction. I wonder if that’s the underlying message behind his cruel comments.
James slips into Kalvin’s seat when he gets up to use the bathroom. “Are you enjoying your meal?”
“Yes. Thank you. It’s yummy.”
“We used to come here a lot, but we haven’t been in ages. It’s nice to have all the family together again.”
I put down my knife and fork. “James? Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Are we really related to those Kennedys? The famous ones.”
He dabs a napkin to his mouth. “I assumed you were already aware because the Kennedy Apparel brand has been built on the foundation of that legacy. While we aren’t related to the exact same branch of the family as JFK, we can trace our ancestry back to the Kennedys from New Ross. I thought everyone was in the know. It isn’t something we try to hide, far from it.”
“I was aware of the brand, but it’s only becoming popular in Ireland now, and I don’t know the background.”
Kalvin returns to the table, but James motions for him to take his seat instead. James rests his arm across the back of my chair. “When I first met Alex, she was working in the family business alongside her father. He had built it from scratch, and when she was growing up it was hugely successful. However, the brand was dated, sales were declining, and times were tough. Her parents wouldn’t officially sign the company over until she could prove that she could turn it around.”
“We met when I was in Ireland on business,” Alex intervenes, having overheard our conversation. She leans across the table.
“And it was love at first sight,” James adds, his face softening with the memory.
All conversation halts at the table as the boys stop to listen to their parents.
“It was the best two weeks of my life. I knew he was the one for me the minute I laid eyes on him.” Alex smiles through glistening eyes. “When it was time to return home, James came with me.”
They share a sweet loving look that reminds me so much of the way my parents used to look at one another. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice how Kaden stiffens and Kyler and Keven frown as they exchange guarded expressions.
“It took a bit of time, but I secured her parents’ seal of approval,” James continues, oblivious to the hostile looks emanating from the other side of the table, “and we were married within six months. We worked closely together in those early days to try and turn things around. When I explained my background to Alex, it felt natural to rebrand the business and use my family name to build it into the billion-dollar enterprise it is today.” A pained look flits across his eyes. “Of course, I can’t claim any of the credit for that. I was only a stay-at-home dad by that stage. Alex was the breadwinner.” An acerbic note has crept into his tone.
Alex’s smile falters, and she glances around the room nervously. “That’s not true. It was a partnership. You know I couldn’t have built the business without your support. Without your name.”
James lifts his wine glass and takes a hefty sip. “Yes. My name.” He eyeballs his wife. “How fortunate that I had distant links to the infamous Kennedys.” A muscle clenches in his jaw, and tension seeps into the air.
Alex stares directly at him, and some unspoken communication flows between them. James’ eyes never leave hers as he knocks back his wine. The boys are watching this with transparent wariness, and I can tell this isn’t the first time this particular argument has cropped up. I’m sorry I brought the subject up.
By the time he puts his glass back down, James has remembered his environment and regained his composure. “Don’t mind me. I get frustrated sometimes that my own career ambitions went unfulfilled, but I don’t regret the years I spent looking after the boys.”
Keven snorts, and Kaden shoots him some type of warning look. Pushing back his chair, Keven rises and heads for the bathroom. James ignores his sons hostility, adding, “And Alex is right. It worked because we were a team, we had set roles, and we made it work.”
“Why didn’t Mum tell me about our Kennedy connections?”
James stares off into space. “I don’t know, Faye. It seems Saoirse was determined to forget her past completely.”
We’ve come full circle, and I’m adrift at sea again.
Why, Mum?I send the question out into the silent universe.Why was it so importantto hide?
“You can have your seat back,” James says to Kalvin as he stands.
“Um, actually, there was something I wanted to tell you.” I look up at him.
