The Manny by Piper Rayne

Author:Piper Rayne [Rayne, Piper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-16T18:30:00+00:00

An hour later, I’m waiting outside for Layla and the kids, drinking my beer and sitting on the stairs to our condo building. I’ve lived here since I moved to Los Angeles. I can certainly afford better at this stage of my life, but for some reason I’ve never had the urge to move. It’s a great complex right on the beach, the rent isn’t astronomical, and the tenants are all pretty cool.

But I know that’s not the reason I stay. It’s because it’s familiar and holds a lot of good memories. It’s where Leo, Jagger and myself first met—sharing one of the units together while Jagger’s family was in a short period of cutting him off the purse strings. We’ve been friends for over a decade and in a lot of ways we all grew into men together. In the years since we first shared a place both Leo and myself have moved into our own units as apartments came up in the complex, and Jagger has moved on to his high-rise condo and Malibu pad, but we’re all still tight.

As I sit there reminiscing to myself, I try to ignore how antsy I feel to see her. I don’t understand what’s happened. How can a woman pique my interest in such a short time? I haven’t even slept with her, and not because she didn’t want to. I’m hesitant to cross that line because I actually like this woman. A lot.

A black SUV rolls slowly down the street and stops in front of me. The driver exits the vehicle and opens up the back door. I should have realized she’d call for a car.

Layla steps out wearing a pair of tight jeans, a blouse, and jean jacket. She unstraps Via and holds her, while Payne climbs out on his own.

“Thanks, Miles. I’ll call you in a few hours.” She shuts the door and the three of them walk toward me.

“Hey, guys.” I high-five Payne and Via, who just keeps slapping my hand.

“Are you sure about this?” Layla looks apprehensive.

“Of course. The party is low-key, no press or anything.”

She nods, but I figure it’s better to get her into the back—someone could have followed her.

We head through the courtyard in the center of all the units and reach the beach. Payne immediately runs toward the other kids and joins in with them, kicking the ball.

“Oh, boy.” Layla tenses next to me when she spots how many people are here and her gaze fixes on Payne.

I place my hand on the small of her back and lean in. “Relax. I promise, everyone is good people and they won’t be taking pictures and selling them to the tabloids.”

She nods a few times. “Okay, I’ll try.”

“Now, give me Via and let’s get you a drink.” Via actually comes to me when I put my hands out for her and I pretend we’re flying away before settling her on my side.

Jagger is sitting on the beach chair and we have to pass him as we make our way to the cooler.

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