Page 25 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“Really?” Her eyes were bright. “Do you think I’ll look pretty in it too?”

“Absolutely.” I nodded. “You look a lot like your mom.”

“I do?” Her voice was barely a whisper. She swallowed and held the sweater to her cheek. “That’s like the best thing ever.”

I wanted to hug her, but I didn’t dare. We were getting along for once, and I didn’t want to ruin it. “What else did you get?”

She sighed and set the pink sweater down, giving it a soft pat. “I got three pairs of jeans and a pair of black boots. Pierce insisted I get the boots.” She gave me a wary glance. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Anything you want is okay.” I hated how desperate I sounded. God, I wanted to connect with her so bad I just felt like a needy sap.

Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice how pathetic I was. She just gave a little laugh and said, “So if I bought a puppy, you would be okay with that?”

I grimaced. “Maybe one day. I kind of want us to get to know each other better first.”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “And puppies take a lot of attention.”

Pierce called, “Your dinner’s ready!” from the other room.

I sighed. “I better go eat. I don’t want Pierce to scrape my food in the trash because I wasn’t quick enough.”

She giggled. “He wouldn’t do that. He said we need to fatten you up.”

My stomach flip-flopped at the idea they’d discussed me and my physical appearance. “I’m not skinny.”

She shrugged. “Pierce knows best.”

“That’s supposed to be father knows best.”

“I don’t think he’d agree.” She laughed.

I smiled and moved to the doorway. “Maybe I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Okay,” she said distractedly as she gazed at her new clothes.

I went to my room and changed quickly into a T-shirt and jeans. Then I headed to the kitchen and found Pierce still in there. I was surprised. I ‘d assumed he’d have hurried out just to avoid me. I sat at the table and inhaled the scent of the spaghetti piled on my plate.

“Thanks for thinking of me for dinner.” I took a bite, enjoying the tangy sauce.

“There was extra.”

He sounded snippy, so I didn’t respond. I was tired and I’d had a very confusing evening. The last thing I needed was to get into an argument with Pierce right now. I took another bite, and he pulled out a chair across from me. The serious expression on his face made the food almost stick in my throat.

He placed his hands on the table and leaned toward me. “I’ve found someone to take over for me. He’s local and he has way more experience working with kids. He can start the day after tomorrow. He’s thrilled to have a permanent assignment.”

I wasn’t prepared for the letdown I felt at his announcement. I’d known all along he didn’t want to work for me. But I’d thought he was going to still be here for the rest of the week, and the idea he’d be gone the day after tomorrow made me numb with disappointment.

But instead of showing that, I summoned my inner alpha. I didn’t want to look weak. “Do I have any say in who watches over my kid?”

He looked nonplussed by my reaction. “What?”

“Who is this guy? I need to meet him. You can’t just hire someone without my approval.”

“But… I thought you’d be happy.”

I grimaced. “Why would I be?”

He glanced away. “Because… we’re obviously butting heads again.”