Page 139 of The Manny

Aiden raised his brows. “I don’t think they slept a wink last night. They were whispering and giggling until dawn.”

“We did a sconce,” Percy announced.

“A what?” Aiden frowned.

“You know, a sconce. We tried to talk to dead people,” Percy said.

I blinked at him. “Do you mean… a séance?”

Percy nodded. “Uh, huh.”

“Really?” I laughed, scratching my head. “You two had a séance?”

Percy nodded, looking very serious. “We wanted to talk to Mia’s Mommy.”

“Youwhat?” Aiden looked startled.

“Mommy didn’t talk to me, but I think I smelled her perfume.” Mia frowned.

“I smelled it too.” Percy nodded.

“Uh….” Aiden gave me a guilty look. “If they’d lit candles, I’d have noticed. I swear.”

“I hope so.” I laughed uneasily.

“Daddy, we’d never play with fire.” Percy looked insulted.

“Okay, good.” Aiden grimaced.

“Can I stay more, Thomas?” Mia asked, looking hopeful. “Just one more night?”

“It’s fine with Barb and me,” Aiden said.

“I’ll run it by Jack. I’m sure it’s fine.” That meant Jack and I would be alone again tonight. Without Mia there, we could talk more freely. Last night, he’d obviously been too shocked to discuss things with me. Hopefully tonight he’d be open to having a serious conversation.

Barb came into the room in a fluffy pink robe. She looked striking, even though it was obvious she’d just gotten up. She frowned when she saw me and tugged her robe closed as she approached. “I thought Mia was staying another night.”

“She forgot to ask for permission.” Aiden sighed.

“Oh, no. You made a trip all the way over for nothing?”

“It’s okay. I need to run errands anyway.” I glanced over at Mia who was now watching cartoons with Percy. “I’m glad she’s having fun.”

“Yes.” Barb nodded and said softly, “Poor little dear.”

“How about I take Mia home tomorrow afternoon? To make up for you having to come all the way over here for nothing?” Aiden offered.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. I want to.”

“You sure?” I grimaced.

Aiden smiled. “Yep. Percy can ride shotgun.”

“Okay. Well, thanks.” I met Barb’s gaze. “I think it’s good for her to spend some time with a woman for a change. She must get tired of hanging out with two bachelors.”

“Exactly.” Barb nodded. “I promised her we’d do our nails today. She looked as excited as if I’d said we were going to the moon.”

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