Page 33 of If Love Had A Manual (Skeptically In Love #2)

Wes

“What?” I grunt, not looking up. Because whenever Kate shows up wearing that face, it never ends well for me.

“Can Rosie have a sleepover at mine tonight?” she asks sweetly. Too sweetly.

I pause, suspicion making me squint at her. “Why?”

“Because I love your niece and thought you could use a night off. And because, frankly, you look like shit.”

I give her a sidelong glance before grabbing a rag to clean my hands. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” She flashes me a smile that would fool absolutely nobody. “You’re wound a little tight lately. You might snap and murder someone. I can’t afford to lose employees. Or hide bodies. I don’t have that kind of freezer space.”

“You done?”

“Nope,” she chirps. “You need to get out, drink a beer, and have some fun. Rosie will be safe at our house with our kids. They love her, you know that.”

I blow out a slow breath. She’s right. The kids do adore Rosie, and outside of Lena, Kate is the only other person I trust her with.

But the idea of leaving Rosie overnight—of leaving her at all—makes my chest tighten with guilt I can’t shake. “I should be with her.”

“You’re with her every second you’re not here,” Kate says gently. “Take a night to breathe.”

“I breathe fine.”

“You really don’t. You grunt, you glare, and you stalk around barking orders at everyone.”

“I own the place. That’s my job.”

“And what’s your job at home?”

“Same thing.”

She shakes her head, unimpressed. “Face it, Wes. You’re exhausted. You need a break. Go out, grab a beer, maybe flirt.”

My scowl deepens. “Flirt?”

“Yes, flirt. With a woman. You’re still interested in them, right? Unless you have someone particular in mind?”

I ignore the pointed look she gives me, refusing to let my mind drift to Lena.

Before I can answer, Ryan, who’s been eavesdropping from beneath a nearby lift, rolls himself out into view. “Hell yes, the boss is coming out tonight.”

“I didn’t agree to anything,” I snap.

“Oh, you agreed,” Connor pipes in. “If I have to suffer Ryan’s tragic attempts at picking up women, you’re coming too.”

Ryan throws his hands out, displaying himself like God’s gift. “I don’t attempt. I succeed.”

“The only thing you succeed at is making people uncomfortable. Last week, that girl gave you a fake number with six digits.”

“She was European.”

“She was from Fresno.”

I rub my temples. “I am not getting dragged into this.”

“You absolutely are,” Kate declares. “It’s one night. Go drink some overpriced beer, pretend you have a social life, and remember what fresh air feels like.”

I don’t have the energy for this today. “You realize I’m not under house arrest, right? I get fresh air.”

“Standing on your porch, yelling at Milo to stop eating your sprinkler, doesn’t count.”

My lips press into a thin line. “You’re all the fucking worst.”

Ryan grins. “Love you too, boss.”

Kate squeezes my shoulder. “I’m finished early today anyway. I’ll pick up Rosie after work. When you’re done here this evening, go home, get cleaned up, and meet the guys at the bar at eight.”

“Eight?” I stare in horror. “That’s practically midnight.”

She rolls her eyes with a puff of her cheeks. “Oh my god, you’re hopeless. ”

“Hopelessly boring,” Ryan mutters, ducking back under the lift.

Kate winks, then pats my arm. “Take tonight off. No worries, no guilt.”

Easier said than done. But the ache in my shoulders and the exhaustion that feels like it’s lingering in every cell of my body, tells me she’s right. I’m wound too tight. I can’t remember the last time I allowed myself a single night of not thinking about…well, everything.

“Just text Lena and tell her she’s finishing early.”

I ignore the knowing sparkle in her eyes and tug my phone from my pocket, grumbling curses under my breath as I type out a quick message to Lena.

Me: Kate is taking Rosie overnight. You can finish early.

I hesitate, then add:

Me: Enjoy it.

Her response comes a minute later.

Lena: Does that mean you’re doing something fun for once?

For fuck’s sake. Not her too.

Me: Apparently. Going out with the guys.

Lena: Wait… You know how to do that?

I fight the grin pulling at my mouth and type back.

Me: Yes. Shocking, I know.

Lena: Have fun. You deserve it.

Something about that simple message loosens the knot of guilt in my chest, just enough that I let out a breath.