Misadventures with a Manny Read online

  I shrug. “I know,” I say, buttoning my pants. “But I think they suspect something, and I’m honestly dying not able to touch you when I want.”

  She smiles as she reaches for her panties. “I am too, but I don’t want too much change. Plus, with Elliot feeling like he can’t love you and Simon, I don’t want him to feel pressured.”

  I understand that, but still, something is bothering me. “But this is more than sex, right?”

  Her brows pull together. “Why—”

  Before she could finish, though, her phone goes off once more. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Woods, but now Richard is emailing you, and he wants to see you.”

  “Yes, sorry, tell him I’m on my way,” she says, and when she looks back to me, her eyes are soft. “I’m so sorry. Can we talk later?”

  My stomach drops. “Yeah.”

  She slides her panties up her legs before fixing her dress and coming to me. Going to her toes, she kisses my jaw. “It’s more than sex, okay? Just don’t rush this.”

  She kisses me once more before heading past me and out of her office, but I’m standing there, stunned.

  Don’t rush this.

  Why would she say that? To me, that means she isn’t in it for the long haul.

  Fuck.

  Feeling a little defeated, I turn and head out of her office, my heart pounding in my chest. But am I overreacting? Maybe I’m overthinking this? Maybe she meant not to rush telling the boys. Yeah, that’s it.

  Right?

  Damn it.

  I nod to the receptionist as I pass, but when I reach the elevators, my phone is ringing. When I pull it out of my pocket, I hope it’s Vera asking me to come back, but it isn’t.

  “Sharron! What’s up?”

  “Loads, Lincoln. How are you?”

  I smile when I hear the kids in the background. “I’m great.”

  “Well, I’m hoping that you’ll be even better when I ask my next question.”

  I scoff. “What’s that?”

  “Please come to Germany and take your job back.”

  My heart stops.

  Holy shit.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Vera

  Ugh, what a day.

  When I walk in the door, I notice the boys’ bags by the door, and then I see them on the couch with Lincoln, watching TV. When they all glance to me, I smile at the sight of them. They all look so comfortable, gathered together on the couch with such content looks on their faces.

  My boys.

  “Hey, guys.”

  They greet me as I slide my shoes off and set my box of work down. When I stand, Lincoln is there, and my breath catches. I can still feel him inside me, and I want desperately to greet him with one hell of a kiss, but I can’t.

  “Want me to take that to your office?”

  “Please.”

  “Sure,” he says before grabbing it and heading up the stairs. As I watch him, I hear his words from earlier.

  This isn’t just sex, right?

  God, why would he even think that? It’s been bothering me all day. Tearing my gaze from him, I look to the boys. “What are you guys watching?”

  “Basketball.”

  “Fun,” I say dryly as I place kisses on each of their heads. They don’t pay me any mind, though. They’re too deep in the game. Rolling my eyes, I head toward the kitchen for a nice glass of wine, but before I can get there, the doorbell rings. I make a face as I glance at the time.

  That better not be Simon to get the boys.

  Turning to go back to the door, I see Lincoln coming down the stairs, his brows pulled together. “You expecting someone?”

  “No,” I say as I reach for the door. “Not yet, at least.”

  When I pull it open, Simon is standing there with Kaia. I glare. “You’re early.”

  “Hello to you too,” he says, walking by me and pulling Kaia along.

  Rolling my eyes, I slam the door shut, and when I turn, Lincoln is glaring, his arms crossed.

  “Dad? You’re early. We still gotta eat dinner,” Charlie says, but Simon shakes his head.

  “I’ll take you guys to dinner. Go upstairs. I need to talk to your mom.”

  “But Lincoln cooked,” Louis says, getting up. “My favorite, ziti.”

  “He can save you some. Go on.”

  The boys look to me, and I hold my hands up calmly. “It’s fine. Go on upstairs. I’ll have Lincoln make you guys plates to go.”

  “No, he can leave,” Simon says then, and I laugh. Out loud.

  “You don’t get to decide who stays and goes in my house,” I say simply before ushering the boys upstairs. Charlie looks up at me, worry swimming in his brown eyes, but I kiss his forehead. “No big deal.”

  He doesn’t look convinced, but I don’t feel that way either as they run up the stairs.

  When I hear their doors shut, I turn to look at Simon and Kaia. “Let’s go in the kitchen,” I direct before glancing at Lincoln. “Can you make them plates?”

  “It’s not done yet. Another ten minutes.”

  “Okay, that’s fine,” I say, and I don’t want him to leave. “Wanna stay for a drink?”

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  Simon scoffs. “Yeah, you two aren’t fucking.”

  Lincoln’s eyes cut to him. “That’s none of your fucking business.”

  Simon snaps his lips shut, and I want to laugh as we enter the kitchen. I go to the other side of the island, offering them the barstools. Kaia sits down, but Simon stands as I cross my arms across my chest. “So? What’s up?”

  “So about the boys’ school.” I hold my breath as he pulls out some paperwork from his back pocket. “I’ve had some new guidelines drawn up.”

  He lays the papers on the countertop, but I refuse to touch them. When Lincoln hands me a glass of wine, I take it. “It doesn’t matter what guidelines you’ve had drawn up. They are insignificant. I’m not signing anything. I gave you the options.”

  He lets out a long breath. “I can’t afford it. I’m switching jobs.”

  I watch as Kaia looks down, and my brows pull together. “Switching jobs? Why would you leave a job that pays as much as the one you have?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  I look to Kaia again, and I know that look. I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter where he works. He’ll always be a cheater.”

  “Don’t talk to her,” Simon bites out, but I don’t miss the way Kaia looks at me, such hurt in her eyes.

  “Watch your tone, Simon,” Lincoln warns, and Simon glares back at me.

  Still my gaze is locked with Kaia. I may hate her, but I wouldn’t wish what he did to me on anyone. Even the woman he left me for. “Get out while you can.”

  “Shut up!” Simon yells.

  Lincoln holds his hand up, his eyes menacing. “One more time, and I knock your teeth to the back of your throat. You talk civil to her, or you can leave.”

  Simon laughs. “You don’t matter, dude.”

  “Actually, I do,” Lincoln says simply. “You’re in her home. Respect her or leave.”

  Simon looks to me, and I stand my ground. “He’s right.”

  “Yeah, and you’re not fucking him.”

  I’ve had enough. Slamming my hand to the table, I point to him. “I don’t know what your obsession is with Lincoln, but it’s getting old,” I snap. “If you’re jealous, that’s your issue, not mine. Live your life, and let me live mine, okay? We are nothing to each other but parents to our boys. We don’t even need to talk unless it has to do with the boys. In this instant, you have your options. Choose one, let me know, and we’ll go from there. Lincoln is more than ready to homeschool them.”

  I feel Lincoln’s gaze on the side of my face, and when I look to him, he has this look on his face. Almost like he wouldn’t do it. I don’t understand, but I can’t ask in front of Simon. Inhaling hard, I say, “I think we’re done here. Nothing will change with the parenting plan from this moment on. Have a nice night.”