Page 136 of The Manny

He dropped his gaze. “Oh, I didn’t reach out to him.”

Surprised at his response, I went back to eating. Had they had an argument or something? Perverse pleasure spiraled through me at the thought of them not getting along.

“Do you mind if I have a beer?” he asked.

I glanced up. “Of course not.”

He rose and went to the fridge. “Would you like one?”

“Sure.” He was definitely up to something. He’d barely spoken to me the last few weeks, now he was waiting on me hand and foot? Why?

He set one of the opened bottles in front of me, and then he returned to his seat across from me. He sipped the cold ale, watching me with an enigmatic expression.

I finished the soup and half of my beer, still wondering what he was up to. I took my bowl to the sink and rinsed it under the warm water. I shut the tap off, and dried my hands on the dishtowel that hung near the sink.

“I’m surprised you’re being so nice to me,” I said gruffly, turning to face him.

“Aren’t I always nice to you?”

I chuffed. “Not lately.”

He sighed. “It’s been challenging.”

“For me too.” I returned to the table, although I remained standing. “Sometimes I’m surprised you’re still here.”

He gave an odd laugh. “Funny you should say that.”

Uneasiness shifted through me. “What?”

He held my gaze, a muscle jerking in his cheek. “I’ve been offered an opportunity.”

“What kind of… opportunity?” I asked breathlessly.

“A position abroad.”

I felt the blood drain from my head to my toes. I was stunned and not sure how to react. I stared at him, wondering if maybe I’d heard him wrong. I cleared my throat. “You’re saying you’re taking another position?”

He grimaced. “It’s a great opportunity.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I thought you cared so much about Mia, you didn’t want to leave her.”

“I wasn’t lying.” He frowned. “I love her. To be honest… I… I can’t picture leaving her.”

“Then why are you considering doing just that?”

His eyes were a stormy blue as he gazed up at me. “Self-preservation?”

I didn’t respond.

“The way things are between us… it’s painful for me, Jack. I really care about you. More than I expected.” He winced. “I thought it would get easier with time, but I swear it’s getting harder.”

“Look it… it’s hard for me too.” My voice was husky.

“You seem fine,” he muttered.

I wasn’t fine. Not by a long shot. I obsessed about him day and night. Naturally, I hid that from him. I guess I’d done a pretty good job too because he obviously had no clue. I scowled. “Come on, Thomas, you honestly feel you need to leave thecountry?”

“It wasn’t my idea to go anywhere. I was approached,” he said softly. “But, the position I’m being offered, it’s no little thing. The money being offered, it’s a game-changer.”

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