Page 5 of Manny's Surprise Baby

I gave a stiff laugh. “It’s not like I asked to hear your sad story.”

“I’m sorry?” Seth narrowed his eyes.

“I’m just here to see Colin.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“You’re the one who just dropped by with no warning.”

He gave a short laugh, as if he assumed I had to be kidding. “Is that a problem for you or something?”

“Only because you’re acting like I’m supposed to make myself scarce so I don’t overhear your top-secret conversation.”

Seth frowned. “You’re taking what I said the wrong way.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. I merely meant I’m self-conscious about talking in front of people I don’t know. Not that you’re the problem.”

I felt a little stupid for having overreacted. “Oh.”

Colin laughed awkwardly. “How about you two start all over again?”

“Fine by me.” Seth stood and held out his hand. He towered over me, and my stomach fluttered at the intensity of his dark eyes. “I’m Seth. Nice to meet you.”

I took his hand and ignored the tingle the firm press of his flesh gave me. “Pierce.”

“That’s better.” Colin smiled. “Now, Seth, go ahead and continue your story.”

Seth sighed and sat down again. “Well, I’m kind of still in a daze. I mean, you can imagine the shock of finding out I have an eight-year-old daughter after all these years.”

I widened my eyes. “Oh, wow.”

“Who was this woman you slept with?” Colin asked.

“Just some girl I had a one-night stand with years ago. Her name was Letty.” He raked a hand through his hair. “We didn’t keep in touch.”

“How did you find out you have a daughter with her?” Colin asked.

“A lawyer called me a day ago explaining that Letty had died in a car wreck and I was the only next of kin for this little girl.”

“How do you know this kid is really yours?” I asked.

He met my gaze. “I took a DNA test.”

“Ahhh.” I nodded.

“I don’t get why this Letty never told you about your daughter.” Colin rubbed his chin, looking muddled. “It couldn’t have been easy trying to raise a child on her own. Why wouldn’t she have wanted your help?”

“We didn’t have a friendship or anything. We met at a party and only hooked up that one time. I’m embarrassed to admit we were both so fucking drunk neither one of us thought about protection.” His cheeks were swept with pink. “It was just sex.”

“And now you have a kid.” Colin sighed. “Wow.”

“The poor kid doesn’t have any other family?” I frowned.

“That’s what the lawyer said. I vaguely remember Letty wasn’t close to her family.” Seth glanced at Garrett, who was sipping from his little cup and dribbling liquid down his chin. “I hate to think that I’m the best that poor little girl has to turn to.”

“What do you mean? You have a good job, and you’re a good person.” Colin studied his friend.