Misadventures with a Manny Read online

  Because she’s your boss, you dumbass.

  She’s been on my mind twenty-four seven for the last few days, and I wish I could say it’s getting easier to deal with, but it isn’t. Each day, I swear she gets hotter. I don’t know when I became obsessed with business attire, but seeing her each morning, in tight skirts or fitted dress pants, has done nothing but wreak havoc on my heart. I want to slide my hands up the back of her thighs, grab that ass of hers, and whisper how fucking beautiful I think she is.

  It’s mind-blowing how she moves with such poise. Her life is a mess, and I don’t mean that in a shitty way. Honestly, her ex is a douchebag, but she acts as if none of that matters. Only the boys and her work. I am loved by one great mom, but watching Vera with her boys, it knocks me on my ass as envy eats me alive. I want to be on the receiving end of that love, and I know that is insane and pathetic, but it’s true. She is so loving, even when Charlie is being a punk, and it’s beautiful to see.

  I still don’t understand how someone would ever leave her.

  Moving through the kitchen, getting breakfast ready, I can hear all of them moving upstairs. I have a pan of eggs and some bacon going, per Louis’s request. While it’s only been a week, I have a groove that works for everyone. I come first thing in the morning, getting everything going in the kitchen while Vera and the boys get ready upstairs. When she leaves, the boys and I eat before heading to school. While they’re at school, I do things around here and back at my place, and then I’ll go sit with Lincoln to the second power for a bit until I gotta go get the boys. While I’m not making the money I was, I’m really happy.

  I hear heels on the stairs and look up from plating the boys’ food, waiting for Vera to enter the kitchen. Today she is wearing a dress, one that reaches the ground and hugs her waist tight before flowing out. Her hair is down and so damn luscious, framing her beautiful face.

  Glancing over at me, she takes my breath away as she says, “Morning.”

  “Morning.”

  She moves around the island before reaching for a coffee cup. “So remember that Charlie has his therapy right after school. They should be getting all their stuff together to bring with them and put in your car.”

  “Yup, I had it written down and was going to remind them.”

  “You’re awesome,” she says, and I beam back at her. “I really appreciate you taking him for me. I hate that I can’t take him.”

  “Yeah, but you get to come home early tomorrow and it’s my job.”

  “This is true,” she says simply as she leans into the counter. “I still hate not going.”

  “I know, but I can tell you everything they tell me.”

  “Which probably won’t be anything, but I want to know what Charlie says, so can you call me after you drop them off at practice?”

  “I can,” I say, meeting her gaze, and then I smile as I drink in how beautiful she looks. “I like that dress.”

  Her eyes widen as she looks down at herself. “You do?”

  “It looks really good on you.”

  “I don’t look frumpy?”

  I shake my head. “Not even close.”

  Her eyes sparkle as her lips tip. “Well, that’s a very nice thing to say. I didn’t realize compliments were included in your salary.”

  My eyes burn into hers. “They’re not.”

  Her grin grows as the twins come barreling down the stairs. I tear my gaze from Vera when the boys come into the kitchen and jump up on the stools ready to eat breakfast. “You guys have everything packed? Elliot, you have that science study guide right?”

  He nods eagerly as he stuffs his mouth with bacon. “Yeah, and my language.”

  “Good. You got everything, Louis?”

  “Yup,” he says before shoveling eggs into his mouth. These boys can eat.

  “Where is Charlie?”

  “He’s coming,” Louis informs me before looking to his mom. “You’re working late tonight?”

  “Yes, love,” she says sadly.

  Louis makes a face. “Can’t you work late Wednesday so that you can be home to spend time with us before we leave for Dad’s?”

  I look back to her and see the guilt floating in her eyes.

  “I already work late Wednesdays, but let me see what I can do,” she says before reaching for his hand, squeezing it. I notice they do that a lot. I’m not sure what it means, but it brings such light to their eyes. She moves to Elliot and kisses his forehead. “I’m gonna head out. You guys have a great day.”

  “Don’t forget your breakfast,” I say before she can leave the kitchen.

  She glances back at me, a grin starting to pull at her lips. “You made me breakfast?”

  I hand her the wrap I made, which is in a napkin. “You gotta eat too.”

  With a grin that now covers her face, she says, “Well, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” My voice drops a bit as I hold her gaze. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Thank you, again,” she says on an exhale before kissing the boys once more and leaving the kitchen. She calls up to Charlie, but he doesn’t call back down, and I watch as her shoulders fall. I think she felt me watching her, for when she looks back at me, she shrugs.

  I give her a weak smile and say, “Have a great day.”

  But she’s already heading out the door, obviously upset. I hate how much pressure is on her. I want to take it all away. I want to taste her. I want to hold her, and damn it, I want to make her scream.

  Gah, she drives me wild, and she doesn’t even realize it.

  “I think Dad shouldn’t get us every weekend.”

  I look to Louis. “No?”

  “No, it’s not fair. Mom doesn’t get to spend any time with us on the weekends.”

  “Maybe she can take a day off during the week?” Elliot asks.

  I shrug. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her.”

  “Yeah, I guess,” Elliot says, and I can tell he is upset by this. They love their mom. They want to spend time with her, and I don’t blame them. I want to too.

  Glancing at the clock, I make a face. Charlie should have been down here by now. Tapping the island, I point to the boys. “Want more before I go and round up your brother?”

  “Yes,” Louis says.

  I point to the pan. “Get it, then, but don’t burn yourself.”

  As he gets up, I head into the living room and stop at the bottom of the stairs. “Hey, Charlie, breakfast is ready.”

  He doesn’t answer me at first, but then I hear, “I’m good.”

  I make a face. “You need to eat. Come on down.”

  “I’m not feeling good.”

  Huh. I take the stairs two at a time and then walk down the hall. I still don’t understand how Vera has pictures up of Simon. She’s stronger than I am, but when I asked, she said it is to keep things as normal as she can for the boys.

  Good woman right there.

  I would have burned the photos.

  Reaching his room, I knock on the door before I push it open.

  Charlie is on the floor, playing Xbox, still in his PJs. Glancing back at me, he groans. “I don’t want to go to school. I don’t feel good.”

  He looks just fine to me. “What’s wrong?”

  “My stomach hurts.”

  “Probably ’cause you’re hungry.”

  “No, I just don’t feel good. I want to stay home.”

  “Okay, well, you look fine to me.”

  He looks back at me once more. “You don’t know my body.”

  I shrug. “I don’t, but I know you’re fine enough to play games.”

  His eyes narrow, looking a lot like Vera as he gazes up at me. “I don’t want to go.”

  “Fine. You know you still have to go to therapy, and then you won’t go to practice.”

  His brows pull together. “You can’t do that. I have to go to practice.”

  I shake my head. “If you don’t feel well enough to go to school, you’re not well enough