Page 17 of Manny's Surprise Baby

Emily giggled. “I don’t even think she liked you.”

“What?” He laughed. “Why would you say that?”

She bit her lip. “She said you had a ton of girlfriends and that you were a heartbreaker.”

His cheeks were definitely pink now. “She told you that?”

“Was she wrong?” Emily seemed more relaxed with Seth than I’d seen so far.

Seth surprised me when he grinned. “No.”

Emily laughed and glanced at the photo. “But I think Mommy really did like you. Even though she pretended she didn’t.”

Seth’s smile faded and he shifted uneasily. “I liked her too. But I was kind of dumb back then, and I let your mom get away.”

“So you’re not a… player anymore?” Emily asked.

He winced. “Well…”

“You said youweredumb. As if you’ve changed.” Her expression was astute.

I snorted a laugh. “Judging from your dad’s guilty face, I think he’s still dumb.”

He scowled at me. “I’m better than I was.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?” Emily asked softly.

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“See.” I lifted one brow challengingly. “He’s still a player.”

Emily twisted her lips. “Maybe you have a boyfriend?”

“What?” Seth widened his eyes, looking bewildered. “Why would you think I’d have a boyfriend?”

“Lots of alphas like boys and girls.” Emily looked puzzled as to why her dad was concerned.

“Oh, well, I’ve just dated girls.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke.

“Your loss,” I said.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with guys dating guys… but I just don’t.”

I found it amusing he wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“My teacher at my old school is a girl and she has a girlfriend,” Emily said. Then she swiveled her gaze to me. “And Pierce dates boys.” She frowned. “Well, I mean he did until his alpha turned bad. Now he doesn’t date anyone.”

Now it was my turn to have a red face. I felt the heat creep up my neck to my cheeks. “I date. I just don’t get serious.”

“Ha!” Seth pointed at me with a smug expression. “You’re a player too.”

“So?” I shrugged. “At least I have a reason.”

His expression became more guarded, and he glanced at Emily. “This is a rather mature conversation to have in front of an eight-year-old.”

Emily wrinkled her brow. “I’m not a kid.”

“You kind of are.” Seth frowned.