Page 97 of The Manny

“Yeah.”

I braced myself, holding his gaze. “Go ahead.”

“Since Thomas came, you’ve changed.”

“Okay.”

“I mean that in a good way.” He laughed gruffly.

“How have I changed?”

“Well, you laugh more.” He winced. “That sounds cheesy when I say it out loud, but it’s true.”

I shrugged, keeping my expression blank. “Thomas is a big help to me. I guess that takes some stress off.”

“Makes sense.” He continued to study me.

“Was there something else?”

He grimaced. “Well… last time we all went to Brannigan’s, a lot of guys hit on you.”

I gave a confused laugh. “Are you jealous or something?”

He smiled. “No. I just mean, you weren’t interested.”

“So? None of you guys picked anyone up.”

“True, but you usually do. I can’t remember the last time we all went out, that you went home alone.”

My face felt hot as I said, “I wasn’t in the mood. I’m not obligated to pick guys up.”

“No. I know that.” He grimaced. “I simply wondered if maybe you weren’t interested in anyone because you already have… someone.”

I did my best not to react to his comment. After all, I didn’t havesomeone. Certainly not the way he meant it. I simply hadn’t wanted to sleep with any of the guys who’d approached me the other night. I hadn’t been in the mood for sex.

So then why did I rush home to fuck Thomas?

Gritting my teeth, I prayed Brody couldn’t see how conflicted I was. “You’re reading too much into my behavior.”

Unfazed by my statement, Brody said, “I know it’s none of our business, but me and the guys were wondering if perhaps you’d started seeing someone.”

I frowned. “Why are you guys talking about my…love life?”

“We talk about everyone’s love life.”

“Seriously?” I scowled. “Why?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Not sure. I suppose we’re just interested?”

“Well, next time we go out, I’ll be sure to take someone home.”

He sighed. “That wasn’t my point.”

“What is your point?”

He shrugged. “To be honest, we were all wondering if maybe you and… Thomas… were a thing?”

I clenched my jaw so that I didn’t react. How thehellwould they have figured that out? I’d been as discreet as possible so that no one would make that connection. Apparently, I wasn’t as good an actor as I thought I was.

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