Page 58 of The Manny

“Yes!”

My stomach tensed because that probably meant he’d be seeing Aiden too. I realized that his relationship was literally none of my business, but I wasn’t very impressed with this Aiden character.

“Did you want some toast, Jack?” Thomas asked, starting to stand.

I held out my hand. “No. No. I’m fine with coffee. I’m having breakfast with a customer today.”

He sat back down. “Oh. Okay.”

“Uncle Jack, did you see that Thomas put your picture on the fridge with mine?” Mia asked.

“What?” I bugged my eyes and glanced over at the fridge. Sure enough my horrible crayon drawing of a frog was there next to Mia’s. Mia had insisted I also draw a picture yesterday, and I’d done it to make her happy. I’d never intended for anyone else to see it though. “That’s embarrassing.”

“No. It’s good.” Mia wrinkled her brow.

“Why did you hang it up there?” I met Thomas’ amused gaze.

He shrugged. “Why not hang it up?”

“Because it’s probably the worst rendition of a frog ever drawn?” I shook my head. “No one but Mia was supposed to see that.”

“Don’t be shy, Uncle Jack. You did your best.” Mia sounded so sincere, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Thanks, Mia.”

“I’ve definitely seen worse.” Thomas looked like he was trying not to laugh.

I frowned. “I highly doubt that’s possible. A blind man with no hands could have done a better job than I did.”

“Nah.” Thomas met my gaze smiling. “I knew immediately it was a frog. Well, to be honest, at first I thought it was a cow, but then I realized it was a frog.”

I laughed gruffly. “You thought I drew a green cow?”

He grinned. “You walk to the beat of your own drum, Jack. Who was I to judge your green cow?”

I rolled my eyes. “That picture better be down when I get home.”

“We’ll see,” Thomas murmured. “Maybe I’ll post a photo of it on my Instagram account.”

“Don’t you dare,” I sputtered.

“Or what?” he asked, his smile challenging. “Will you punish me?”

“He’ll put you in a time-out.” Mia giggled.

I nodded. “Absolutely. You will pay.”

“I look forward to it.” His lips twitched.

My body flushed at his flirtatious tone and I stood. “Well, I should get to work.”

Thomas watched me, his expression hard to read.

“I get a hot fudge sundae today.” Mia beamed.

I took my cup to the sink to rinse it. “Do you? How come?”

“Because I made you laugh three times yesterday,” Mia said brightly. “Thomas said if I made you laugh three times, he’d buy me a hot fudge sundae as a reward.”

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