Page 39 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“What’s going on?” Puzzled by his behavior, I held my shirt over my bare chest, like a skittish handmaiden being ogled by pirates.

He raked a hand over his spiky hair. “Where were you tonight?”

“I’m sorry?”

He huffed. “You usually get home at the same time every night like clockwork.”

I was taken off guard by how agitated he seemed. “Is it a problem for you that I was late?”

“No.” He swallowed, his eyes glittery. “Not the being late part. It’s where you were that concerns me.”

I gave a gruff laugh. “Why is that your business?”

He hesitated, looking uncertain. “The way you looked at me earlier… why did you look so… sympathetic?”

My face warmed. Shit. Had I given something away? “I don’t know what you mean.”

“When you said that thing about not trusting people just because they’re nice. Why did you say that?”

“Because Emily was talking about fitting in.” I shrugged, hoping I looked believable. “I was just warning her that you want to fit in with the right kind of people. That’s all.”

“But why did you look at me when you said that?”

“I didn’t know that I did.”

“Yes. You looked right at me.” He frowned.

“It was just an attempt at giving fatherly advice to my kid.”

He bit his lip, eyes narrowed. “Are you sure that’s all it was?”

“What else would it be?” My pulse raced as I held his gaze, praying I looked sincere. His intuition was unsettling.

“You seemed different toward me tonight.”

“Different how?”

“Softer.”

“No.” I shook my head.

He put his hands on his hips, his eyes still intense. “So, then, where were you?”

I hesitated. “I was with my client.”

“Really?”

“Yep.” I swallowed.

“I don’t believe you.”

I gave a tense laugh. “Why not?”

“I don’t know. You just seem secretive.”

“That’s rich, coming from you. You’re one of the most secretive people I’ve ever met.” I turned my back on him, needing a break from his stare.

“I have my reasons.”