Page 104 of The Manny

“That must be it.” Brody smiled. “Don’t you go getting taller than me, okay?”

“I won’t.” Mia giggled. “You’re a boy. Boys are taller than girls.”

“Not always,” I said.

“Really?” Mia sounded astounded.

Laughing, I said, “Nope. Some girls are taller than boys.”

“Even when they grow up?”

“Yep.” I chuckled at her shocked expression.

An older man walked up behind us, and I moved out of the way. “Is it okay if I knock on Jack’s door to let him know I’m here?”

“Sure thing.” Brody nodded. “He’s expecting you.”

Mia and I made our way down a narrow hallway, to the back where Jack’s office was located. When we arrived at his door, the butterflies returned. I was glad I had Mia with me because she’d distract Jack while I gathered myself. I rapped my knuckles on the wooden door, and when I heard a muffled “Come in” I did just that.

Jack was seated behind a big oak desk, scowling at a paper he held in his hand. He glanced up as we entered and his frown smoothed. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were here already.”

“I figured if the papers were important I shouldn’t dawdle.”

He gave a faint smile. “Sorry to make you make a special trip.”

“Nah, like I said, I had errands to run anyway.” I held out the file.

He took it from me and, without looking at it, set it on the desk top. “Thanks again.” He flicked his gaze to Mia. “How are you today, Mia?”

“Good.” She bit her bottom lip.

“Sorry I missed seeing you at breakfast. I had to get to work early today.”

She said softly, “It’s okay.”

We hadn’t seen much of Jack the last few days. He looked tired. There were faint lines beneath his eyes, possibly indicating a lack of sleep. “Will you be home for dinner tonight?” I asked.

“Uh…” His gaze dropped. “No. I have a… meeting.”

Something about his tone made me think the “meeting” wasn’t business-related. “Oh. I’m glad I asked. I guess I won’t make as much food as usual.”

He shrugged. “Leftovers are good. I love your cooking.”

That was the nicest thing he’d said to me since the anniversary party, and a warm flush of pleasure rippled through me. Instantly annoyed at my reaction to him, I scowled inwardly. One kind word and I was weak in the knees? I was pitiful.

“Dropping off the file gives me the opportunity to ask you something.” I cleared my throat. “I wanted to see if it’s cool that I have Sunday off.”

His gaze flickered. “You want Sunday off?”

“Yeah.” It was an impulsive request. I hadn’t intended to take Sunday off, but if my reaction to him today showed me anything, it was that I had to do something to get Jack out of my system. I needed to drum up some sort of social life, so I could stop fixating on him.

He frowned. “This Sunday?”

“Yeah.”

“You have plans?”

Is that really any of your business?

---