Page 8 of Manny Included

Bay looked sheepish.

“Please don’t fight.It’s okay.I’m okay.”Was he crying?He might be crying.

“We’re not fighting.I’m giving him some home truths.It’s the only reason he’s kept me employed this long.”Will gave him a wink.

“I have kept you because you’re preternaturally efficient.”

“Eh—you say po-ta-to, I say po-taaa-to.”

Bay rolled his eyes.“Yeah, yeah.”

“Point being, you need to listen to me on this.The man and those kids need you here.So working from home or scaling back—or even both!are a must.”

“The business?—”

“Will survive.It runs itself, which lets you go and grow it.So it doesn’t grow for a while.It’ll still keep running, making you money.You are neededhere.”

It was like watching an amazing tennis match, and he knew he was sitting there, mouth open.

“I’ll take it under advisement, old man.”

Will snorted.“You do that.I’m going to explore the house, if that’s okay with you, Pete.”

“Of course.The kids are dozing in front of the TV, and the baby is upstairs in one of the bedrooms on the right.”

“I’ll not wake anyone or disturb anything, I promise.”Will headed off.

“Well, that was Will,” Bay said.

“I—Wow.”What else was there to say?

“Right?”Bay shook his head.“So now you see I mean it if I say if you need anything or need me and can’t get a hold of me—just get in touch with Will.In fact, even if you can get in touch with me, Will might be a better option.He’s just the most efficient man I have ever known.”

He nodded.And they were on the employee, not family level.It made sense.

Pete cut his sandwich in half and offered one side to his new boss.

“Oh, are you sure you don’t want the whole thing?”

“Totally.”His stomach ached and it just felt too hard.

“Thanks.”Bay took the half sandwich he’d offered and munched on it.“You need to eat the rest of yours, though, or you’ll be in trouble with Will.”

“I would hate to do that.”He wasn’t even being facetious.

Bay nodded.“You would.”Then he sighed and rolled his neck.“This has been the longest day in the history of days.But I would keep living it forever if it meant tomorrow wasn’t happening.”

“Yes, I’m so sorry.I—has someone dealt with the… details?”

“Will set everything up.I think he dealt with the lawyer, too.About the will…”

“I did indeed,” Will noted as he came back in.“The reading is tomorrow evening at four here at the house.I figured that would give the family an out after the funeral.Pete, would you like me to arrange for someone to pack up the master bedroom?Everything can be boxed, labeled, and stored for when either you, Bay, or the children want to go through it.I figure the kids might want some of their parents’ things when they’re older.”

“I… I guess so?I haven’t opened the door.”

“I don’t have to if either of you would prefer to do it yourselves?”

Bay shook his head firmly.“God no.I don’t want to deal with it right now.”