Page 38 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“Well, why wouldn’t there be?” Emily wrinkled her brow.

“I was young once. Kids make up stories so they can go do things the adults don’t want them doing.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t. But I don’t know Susan. I’d just feel better if I spoke to her parents and they could reassure me. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“Oh.” She nodded. “Well, I can text Susan and ask her for her parents’ number.”

“Yes. Please.”

Pierce lifted one dark brow. “Look at you being all parenty and stuff.”

“I may be new at this, but I take my parenting-y-ness very seriously.” I licked my lips. “Wow, that was a tongue twister.”

His expression was odd as he pulled his gaze from my mouth.

“Okay. I texted her,” Emily said.

“Thanks.” I sighed. “There are a lot of awful people out there. You can never be too careful.”

“No.” Pierce’s voice was hushed.

I wondered if he was thinking about his time with Baxter because he looked uneasy. I sat and watched TV with them for a while, but I was exhausted and I had trouble keeping my eyes open. Eventually, I admitted defeat, and I stood and stretched.

“I’m going to bed.”

Emily stood too. She looked unsure, but she took a few steps toward me. “Um… thank you, Dad, for letting me live here and also for allowing me go to a sleepover.” She wrapped her arms around my waist.

I was so surprised, it took me a second to find my voice. I patted her, hugging her back. “Oh, um, of course, honey. I mean, I want you here. You don’t have to thank me. And as for the sleepover, well, that’s the kind of thing kids your age probably do, right?”

She nodded. “I think so.” She swallowed and let go of me. “This is my first sleepover.”

“Really?” I studied her tense features.

“Yes. I’m nervous. But if I say no, then maybe Susan won’t like me anymore.”

“But you want to do the sleepover?” Pierce asked, squeezing her shoulder.

“Yes.” She gave a little sigh. “I want to be like other kids. For once.”

He nodded. “Of course. Everyone wants to fit in.”

I glanced at him, unable to not think about all the shit he’d had to go through with Baxter. “Yeah. But sometimes that need to belong can get us into trouble. It’s important not to trust people just because they’re nice to us,” I said softly.

When he glanced up and found me watching him, something in his face changed. A hint of suspicion seemed to pass through his gaze, but he didn’t speak.

Emily looked at her phone. “Susan just sent me her parents’ phone number if you want it?”

“Yes.” She read the number to me, and I punched it into my cell. “I’ll call them tomorrow. But I’m sure everything is probably fine, and you’ll be able to go to the sleepover.”

“Okay.” Emily straightened. “Even though I’m nervous about it, it’s good to do things outside of your comfort zone.”

“You’re right.” I nodded, patting her head awkwardly. I hoped this whole affection thing would get easier as time passed. “Well, I’m going to bed now. Good night.” I turned and headed to my room, and once I got there, I peeled off my shirt. There was a soft knock on my door, and when I opened it a crack, I found Pierce standing there. His eyes were stony and his mouth that same hard line from earlier.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, opening the door wider.

He surprised me when he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.