Page 46 of The Manny

“You bring out the worst in me,” I said harshly.

He let out a shaky breath. “Don’t fire me, Jack. I know you’re pissed, but Mia needs me.”

“She doesn’t need this dysfunctional shit between us.”

“We can do better.” He sighed. “I can do better.”

I picked the shears up from the lawn. “I’m not sure I can. You get under my skin too easily. It’s probably easier to just part ways.”

“Come on, Jack, think of what Mia needs. I’m good for her. You know I am.”

I clipped a spent rosebud and tossed it in the nearby trash can. Hewasgood with Mia. I couldn’t deny that, no matter how much I disliked him. But there were other people at his agency who could probably connect to Mia. “I’ll think about what to do and let you know.”

“Mia is doing better but she’s got a long way to go.”

“She hasn’t had a crying fit in a while.”

He shook his head. “You didn’t see her today at the party. She had a little meltdown when she saw Aiden’s ex-wife. I think she reminded Mia of Jules. Mia still needs me. I know how to help her.”

“Aiden is Percy’s dad?”

“That’s right.”

The one who wants to kiss you?

“Well, I said I’d think about what to do,” I rasped. “I haven’t made a decision.”

He watched me in silence for a few moments, then he shrugged. “I guess my fate is in your hands.”

I didn’t respond. I focused on snipping the rose bushes, and eventually he left me to go inside the house. Gritting my teeth, I sat down on the grass. I was torn about what to do. While the thought of sending Thomas packing made me happy, the thought of breaking Mia’s heart did not. Now I needed to decide which one of those things I cared more about.

****

Two weeks passed quietly after Thomas and I had our argument. He stayed out of my way for the most part, and I avoided him too. Mia didn’t seem to notice anything was different, and I began to think maybe this new arrangement might work. So long as Thomas avoided interacting with me more than needed, we got along okay. Mia would be happier if I didn’t get rid of Thomas. Was keeping him around the right decision?

We’d finished dinner one night and Mia had gone to her room to play. As I watched TV, Thomas approached me. When he stopped near me, I muted the television and met his blank gaze.

“Did you need something?” I asked gruffly.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he gave an uneasy laugh. “Yeah, actually I was wondering, can I have Sunday off?”

Surprised at the request, I froze. “Uh…”

He grimaced. “I’m supposed to have Sundays off, but I’ve been reticent to leave you alone with Mia. I knew you were too nervous at first.”

My face warmed. I hadn’t officially asked him not to leave Mia with me, but I’d been happy he hadn’t taken any days off. In hindsight, that was pretty selfish of me. He’d been here for over a month now without an official day off. He hadn’t complained, so I’d taken advantage of that by pretending I hadn’t noticed.

“Aiden wants to have dinner and maybe see a movie. I didn’t tell him I could do it yet. I wanted to see if it was cool with you first.”

“Aiden. That’s Percy’s dad right?” Why did the thought of a man I’d never met annoy me?

“Yeah.” He pushed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “There’s some sci-fi movie he really wants to see. None of his other friends want to see it, so I said I’d go. If I could get the time off.”

“So you’re just friends?” I winced inwardly at my nosiness. Why had I asked that? What business was it of mine whether they were friends or something more?

He looked uncomfortable. “Uh… well…”

Instead of waiting for his answer to a question I had no business asking, I interrupted him. “I can’t keep you from having a day off.”

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