Page 24 of Manny's Surprise Baby

My lips twitched. “If someone tries to hurt you, you’ll be glad I’m focused on the job.”

The limo pulled up in front of her hotel, and I got out and walked her to the door where the doorman waited. She turned to me and smiled. “See you tomorrow, Seth.”

“You got it.” I headed back to the limo.

On the ride home, it was hard not to think about what Priscilla had said. Was I possibly sexually fluid, but I’d just never met a guy who turned me on before? Pierce affected me on a physical and emotional level. When I’d first met him, he’d annoyed me because he was so prickly. But now, the more I was around him, he interested me as a person. I wanted to know him better, but he didn’t want that with me.

Why was that a problem for me? Was it ego?

I let myself into the house. I could hear Emily’s laughter coming down the hall from her bedroom. My heart warmed at the sound of it, and I almost hated to announce I was home. I knew the minute she saw me she’d probably go back into her shell. But itwasmy house, and I wanted desperately to change my clothes and relax.

I stopped at her doorway and found Pierce lying on her bed while Emily twirled in the center of the room. When I knocked on the doorjamb, Pierce looked over casually and Emily froze. The sight of Pierce prone did odd things to my gut, but I focused on my daughter instead.

“I’m home.”

“Obviously,” Pierce muttered.

Irritation prickled the back of my neck. How could he annoy me and attract me in the same moment? “Just didn’t want to startle anyone and have them think I was a burglar.”

Emily hadn’t spoken yet, but she cleared her throat and held out the hem of her yellow outfit. “What do you think of my new skirt?”

Amazed she’d addressed me directly, I straightened. “I like it. It’s beautiful.”

She glanced down at it. “I think it’s so cheerful.”

“How was your first day of school?”

A happy smile lit her face. “It was great. Everyone was so nice to me. No one was mean at all. I thought for suresomeonewould be mean.”

Relief filled me. “That’s good news. New schools can be rough.”

“Then after school Pierce took me shopping for more clothes. We didn’t get much yesterday because we bought the bedding and stuff.” She bit her lip, as if she was worried about something.

“I’m glad. You need clothes. Can’t go to school naked.”

She giggled. “That wouldn’t be good.”

Pierce gracefully rolled off the bed. “Are you hungry? I saved you some dinner in the oven.”

Surprised he’d have thought of me, I nodded. “I’m starved.”

“Go change and I’ll get it ready.” He brushed past me.

My body buzzed embarrassingly just from the touch of his shoulder against mine for that brief second. I prayed Emily couldn’t see his effect on me on my face. Once he was gone, I felt awkward since it was just me and Emily.

“Do you have any homework?” It was a lame question. She’d been so happy, why the hell was I bringing up something as unpleasant as homework?

She frowned. “No. But the teacher said I will tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay.” I was usually perfectly capable of carrying a conversation. But when it came to my own daughter, I felt tongue-tied. I was so afraid of saying the wrong thing, I ended up saying the wrong thing.

Emily moved to the pile of clothes on the bed. “Do you… do you want to see some other things I got?”

Pleasure hit me that she wasn’t trying to immediately get rid of me. “Oh, yeah.” I sounded a little too enthusiastic, but she didn’t seem to notice. I moved into the room, stopping near her bed.

“This one is my favorite.” She smiled shyly as she held up a pink sweater. “Mommy had one like this, and when I saw it I wanted it.”

“I’m glad you got it.” I fingered the fuzzy material hesitantly. “I can just see your mom in this.”