Misadventures with a Manny

by Toni Aleo

  I scoff, pointing to the door. “Oh really? ’Cause downstairs you were singing a different tune!”

  He throws his hands up in the air. “What can I say, Vera? I’m an idiot! You make me insane!”

  “Me? I didn’t do anything!”

  “You do everything,” he yells, closing the distance between us, and there is nowhere for me to go since the bed is behind me. “From the moment I met you, you’ve made me feel things I’ve never felt a day in my life. I fucked up, and I know that. But I have this need to be needed—to be wanted—and I just wanted you to say it. I wanted you to tell me you didn’t want me to take the job because you wanted me.”

  My face scrunches up. “Have I given you any reason to feel like I don’t want you?”

  “I told you, I feel like you’ve been standoffish—”

  “Because I didn’t want to get my hopes up!”

  “But my hopes are up too!”

  “I know that, but—”

  His brows pull together. “Huh?”

  “I know they are. I talked to Phillip,” I blurt out, and his eyes widen as I cross my arms over my chest, trying to protect my heart. “He told me about the argument you two had, and how he didn’t think I was good for you because of all the shit I’ve been through and then what you want. He told me how you fought to be with me because you felt things for me. It gave me such a high to hear those things, Lincoln. I got so excited, but then I was worried that they couldn’t be true. Why would you want me like that when you can have anyone?”

  “Because no one is you,” he declares, his eyes burning into mine.

  I press my lips together, drawing in a deep breath. “The more we talked, the more we were together, it just all felt right. We felt right, and it scared me to the core. And the past couple days, we were perfect, and I was ready to give you my heart, trust you, but then you come at me with that bullshit.”

  “Because I’m scared too,” he says softly. “What if he’s right? I swear I ask myself that all the time. I go back and forth with myself, Vera, I do, but the more I think about it, the more I know nothing else matters but you and the boys.”

  I want to believe him, I do, but I shake my head. “What about the Ellenton family?”

  He looks away, biting his lip. “I won’t lie. I love them, deeply, but they aren’t Charlie, Louis, Elliot, or you.”

  Looking away, I close my eyes as he goes on.

  “I fucked up. I came at you wrong with what I was feeling, but I was scared, Vera. I kept asking myself, do I stay here, continue to do this and hope that one day you’ll feel something for me while I fall harder and harder not only for you but for the boys? Or do I get out before we all get hurt?”

  A tear slides down my face, and when he takes me in his arms, I don’t have it in me to fight him. I’m scared too. It freaks me out to think of him leaving, but maybe he’s right. Maybe he should just go, no matter how wrong it feels.

  As tears rush down my face and fall off my chin, I take in a shaky breath and then shrug. “I just don’t know, Lincoln—”

  “Well, I do.”

  I look up at him as he slides his hands into mine, tangling our fingers together before taking them behind my back. Pressing his chest into mine, he gazes into my eyes. “Would you want to start over?”

  I just blink. “Start over?”

  “Well, not really start over, but get married again, maybe have another kid?”

  His gaze entraps mine, and I don’t dare look away. “I don’t know. I have three great kids. Maybe, if it is the right person, but I’m not against it by any means.”

  “Could I be the right one?”

  “Is this before or after what happened downstairs?”

  He gives me a dry look. “Now. Right now. Because when I look at you, you’re the right person for me. We do feel right. We feel fucking perfect, and I need to know you want me more than for just a bit. I need to know that you have every intention of making this work.”

  Do I?

  Gazing into his eyes, I try to imagine how I would be without him. It’s so natural to have him here. To have him care and help me raise my boys. To make love to me, to be there for me, and to listen to me when I have such a bad day. He cares about me, my well-being, and now that I’ve had that, I don’t know if I can let it go.

  “Do you want to go to Germany?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Unless you’re going with me, I’m not leaving,” he says, pressing his nose to mine. “I will knock down every single door you try to hide behind.”

  I can’t help it; I smile as his eyes burn into mine.

  “Because I want to fight every battle with you. I want to stand against whatever storm comes, and I want to raise those boys into fine young men. I want to be there for you. I want to make love to you. I want to be yours and only yours.”

  Breathless, I almost can’t believe him, but again, his eyes say it all. Each word he’s said is swimming in his eyes. They’re begging me, promising me the world, and I can’t look away. When he swallows hard, his eyes glaze over just as he squeezes my hands three times.

  And my world stops.

  “Really?”

  His lips tip as he slowly nods. “Really. I love you, Vera. So fucking much. And while I’m not one to believe in love at first sight, I think you may prove it exists. I’ve never craved anyone the way I crave you, and I know that won’t ever change. I know he promised you that, but I mean it. You complete me, and I know how you need to be loved. Entirely. And that’s all I want to do. I want you for forever, and I honestly can’t walk away from this. Tell me you can’t either.”

  My heart is soaring, my body shaking, and I don’t question his claim. I feel it everywhere—all over my body—and I know I couldn’t walk away from him even if I tried. Gazing up into his eyes, my heart jackhammers in my chest as I slowly but confidently squeeze his hands three times.

  When his lips curve into the most spectacular grin, I can’t help but grin back.

  Inhaling hard, I move my lips against his as I whisper, “I can’t.”

  His eyes soften as he gathers me close. “Good. I wasn’t going to let you anyway.”

  As our lips meet, I already know that.

  And boy, what a feeling that is.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Lincoln

  Vera is freaking the hell out.

  Meanwhile, I’m good, but watching as she nervously bounces her leg, I have to hold in my laughter. I am pretty sure the boys are confused, but they sit at the edge of the island, their eyes cutting between Vera and me. They are all sun-kissed and a tad burned from their vacation with their dad, but they look happy. They talked our ears off about how much fun they had, and I could tell that bothered Vera, which only makes me hate Simon more.

  But he isn’t going away, and I have accepted that.

  Still, though, I don’t understand how he could afford a vacation yet keep fighting Vera on paying for school for the boys. It’s on paper. He has to pay it, but any chance he gets, he bitches. Vera isn’t backing down, though. She stands by what she said, and while I agree with her, it would be hard to truly homeschool them when I just started my job at their school as an aide. It was an impulse decision, but I think it just validated what I wanted with Vera.

  I wanted a partnership.

  Which is what I told Sharron. Thankfully, she understood, and I planned on going to see all of them soon, but I couldn’t work for them. Not when I am completely in love with Vera and the boys.

  “What’s going on? Why are you being weird, Mom?” Charlie asks.

  Vera brings her lip between her teeth. Glancing at me, her eyes widen, and I just smile.

  God, I love this woman.

  “Well,” she says slowly before turning her gaze back to them, “we need to talk.”

  Louis’s brow rises. “About what?”

  “Well, sometimes, you see…” She pauses and looks to me for help.

&nb
sp; I can’t help but laugh. “You’re killing me. You said you had this.”

  She glares. “I’m trying,” she mutters.

  I shake my head. “Guys, I asked your mom out and she agreed.”

  The boys’ gazes cut to Vera, but she’s gawking at me.

  “What?” I ask.

  “I thought we were going to explain it better!”

  “I think it’s pretty cut and dry. I like you, you like me, I asked you out.”

  She gives me a dry look, and I just grin at her. Man, I love driving her crazy.

  “You said yes?” Elliot asks, and her eyes widen even more.

  “I did.”

  “So you two are dating?” Louis asks then.

  Vera glances to me quickly before looking back to him. “Yes.”

  The twins look to Charlie, but his gaze is on his mom. “Are you happy?”

  Her shoulders fall, and within seconds, a smile covers her lips as she slowly nods. “Very much so.”

  All three boys nod, and then Charlie stands before setting me with a look. “Cool. Don’t hurt my mom.”

  “I won’t,” I say with a grin, and Charlie walks away like it’s nothing.

  Vera’s jaw drops, and I can’t keep my grin at bay. She is more nervous about him than the twins, but I think Charlie knows I wouldn’t hurt Vera.

  Louis looks at me, his eyes narrowed. “We can take you out.”

  “I’m aware.”

  When he walks away, following his brother, Elliot looks back at me. “She needs someone to treat her like a queen.”

  I chuck his chin. “Done.”

  He nods, sending me a grin before running off after his brothers. I swear those boys are the best kids in the world. I look to Vera, and her eyes are wide once more, and her jaw is basically lying on the ground. “Told you that would be easy.”

  She shakes her head. “I thought it was going to be bad.”

  I send her a wink before bringing her into my arms. “They know a good thing when they see one. Me and you, we’re good, and no one can ever deny that.”

  “Phillip and Riana did.”

  “Correction. Phillip did, but we’re making him eat his words.”

  She beams up at me. “We are. It’s kind of fun.”

  “It is, and just think, we get to rub it in his face for the rest of our lives.”

  She grins up at me, cupping my face in her hands. “Rest of our lives?”

  “Yup, and then some.”

  As her eyes dazzle into mine, I drop my mouth to hers, feeling my promise deep in my soul.

  Right where she belongs.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Vera

  A year later…

  Well, shit.

  I run my hands down my face, blinking a few times, almost unable to believe what I am seeing.

  “Okay.”

  I head out of the bathroom and pass the bed I now share with Lincoln. I almost can’t believe it’s been over a year since we decided to do this. Well, really, I don’t think either of us actually decided. It’s all fate, and I couldn’t be happier. When Lincoln moved in three months ago, I was worried the boys wouldn’t be able to adjust, but I swear they didn’t care. If anything, it made it easier for them to have access to Lincoln whenever they wanted him. Now I’m convinced, most of the time, they love him more than me.

  They all get along just perfectly.

  And I love it.

  But Simon? Well, he is another story.

  I wish I could say that things were good between my ex and me, but they aren’t. He is still a dick—but a single dick since Kaia left him about six months ago after the second time he cheated on her. At least she was smart enough to get out early. I know this because she comes by to let the boys see their little brother. Simon is such a shit dude. It’s a shame he keeps having boys. Thankfully there are good men out there who want to help raise his boys to be real men.

  Lincoln does it with ease.

  And I can’t love him enough for it.

  Heading down the hall, I call out for the boys, but no one answers me. Looking through their rooms, I don’t see anyone. This is weird; they were just up here.

  From the stairs, I call, “Lincoln?”

  He doesn’t answer.

  “What in the world? Where is everyone?”

  I pat my pockets to find my phone, but I think I left it in the kitchen. I head that direction, looking for signs of life on my way, but the house is empty. What in the world? They were all just here. Did they head out?

  They better not have!

  Reaching the island, I see my phone with a green sticky note on top of it. I pull my brows together when I see Lincoln’s handwriting.

  Come to the front yard.

  I’m confused. Why in the world are they outside? And why couldn’t they just call me out there?

  Weirdos.

  Oh!

  I pause midstride. I swear if I get hit with a water balloon, I will kill them all.

  I get to the front door and cautiously pull it open. “If I get hit with a balloon, I will lock you all out.”

  “You threw them away!” Charlie calls.

  “And told us we couldn’t play with them anymore,” Elliot says.

  I shrug. “Well, that’s what happens when you drench your mom after work!”

  “Lincoln did it too!” Louis shouts.

  Lincoln laughs. “Just come out here!”

  I might regret this, but I peek out. I see Riana and Phillip’s car. Confused, I pull the door open more before coming out and heading down the steps. “Riana’s here—”

  My words fall off when I see all six of them standing on the lawn.

  Breathless, I take in what I’m looking at.

  Charlie is holding a sign that says Will.

  Elliot is holding You.

  Louis holds Marry.

  And Riana and Phillip hold Him, with an arrow pointing to Lincoln.

  Tears rush to my eyes as Lincoln comes toward me, a single rose in his fingers, before he stops below the stair I’m standing on.

  “Hey,” he whispers as my tears start to fall.

  “Hey,” I say with a laugh.

  “Did you read that message?”

  “I did.”

  His eyes sparkle. “Good, ’cause I wrote it.” My face breaks into a grin as he slowly lowers to one knee, his eyes locked with mine. “When I look into your eyes, I don’t only see your heart. I see Charlie, Elliot, and Louis—your boys. Boys I’ve fallen in love with as if they are my own. Vera, I look at you, and I see a strong and beautiful woman who is too good for me, but you still chose me.”

  A sob leaves my lips as he reaches up, takes my hand in his, and kisses my palm. “I want to raise these boys with you, and they’re okay with it. I asked them if I could marry you, and they all agreed that they want me in their lives as a stepdad. Since I want them, and you, I need to lock you in and make you mine because no one else can ever be what you are to me. My missing piece.”

  “Oh, Lincoln,” I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand to keep the sobs in.

  He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little blue box I recognize almost immediately. When he opens the box to a beautiful square-cut diamond, I close my eyes. This can’t be real. But when I open my eyes, I see it is.

  Gazing up at me, his eyes are misty as he whispers, “So what do you say? Will you marry me?”

  Tears gush down my face as I quickly nod. “Of course I will.”

  He rises to his feet and slides the ring down my finger before gathering me into his arms. He kisses my lips hard and pulls me even tighter to his body before bringing his lips to my ear. I don’t hear a thing. Not the boys, who are likely hooting and hollering, or even Riana and Phillip. I’m in shock.

  I have it all.

  And I am about to give it all to Lincoln.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  He stills in my arms, and I feel his heart jackhammering in his chest. “Did you just say you’re pregnant?
”

  “I did.”

  He pulls back, his eyes boring into mine. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  When a tear spills against his cheek, my breath catches. “Well, now I gotta marry you.”

  My face breaks into a grin before he captures my mouth with his. Lifting me off the ground, he kisses me deeply, and I swear I feel it everywhere. When the boys come up to join us, Lincoln puts me down and wraps us all up in his arms. But as we’re all squeezing each other, his eyes don’t leave mine.

  “You continue to give me the world.”

  My eyes fill with tears. “You give us more than that.”

  “And that won’t ever change,” he says, managing to get his hand up to cup my face. “I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  He kisses me as we hold our boys, and I feel complete.

  After years of thinking I couldn’t have it all, I finally do.

  And then some.

  Three boys who love me unconditionally and a baby on the way.

  With the man of my dreams.

  My manny.

  * * *

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  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank my amazing family. Michael, Mikey, Alyssa, and Gaston. Everything I do, I do it for y’all. I love you all so damn much, and nothing will ever change that. To the rest of my family, I love you.

  Then my tribe, Bobbie Jo, Kristen, and Nortis. I am who I am because of you three. Thank you.

  To my life manager, I love you, Holletta. Thank you for all you do.

  My betas are my lifelines. They make all my books a billion times better. Laurie, Heather, Jessica, Althea, Franci, Susie, and Nicole. You are the best, I love y’all.

  To my editing team: Scott and Jeanne. Thank you so much for dealing with all this crazy!

  To the whole Misadventures team, thank you. Thank you so much for being the best team a girl could get.