Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 1)

“That’s probably why.” Paige felt weak.

“Any business from it?”

“Not yet, but give us time.” She felt hard pressure on her leg and realized it was Jake. He rubbed his calf against hers in a slow, sinuous movement that took her mind straight back to the intimacies of the night before.

Desire rushed through her and her heartbeat was so loud she wondered why they couldn’t all hear it.

What was he doing?

Matt put his coffee down. “So, tonight is movie night. I have a few friends coming over. You’re welcome to join us.”

Frankie looked interested. “What’s the movie? Kisses and romance or shoot ’em up?”

“There’s a body count.” Matt drained his coffee. “Blood and guts might be involved.”

Frankie didn’t hesitate. “I’m there. Front row seat.”

Eva shuddered. “I’m not there. One day I’m going to tie you all up and torture you with romance night. Can’t we have a chick flick marathon?”

“Not on my watch.” Matt smiled. “You coming, Jake?”

There was a long pause, and then Jake stirred.

“Not tonight. I have plans.”

Matt reached for more bread. “I’m guessing those plans are female.”

“They are.”

Paige felt a sudden stab of misery. It was one thing to know that last night had been a one-off and that he was going to date other people. Another thing entirely to hear the details. If he was seeing a woman, she didn’t want to hear about it.

Matt looked interested. “Same woman as last night?”

“That’s right.” Jake’s voice was steady. “Same woman.”

Same woman?

Paige gripped her spoon. Her gaze flickered to his but he was eating, completely relaxed, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell into the middle of the kitchen table.

She stared into her bowl of granola, reexamining the words, checking she hadn’t made a mistake.

He wanted to see her again.

Happiness rushed through her, and with it a thousand questions.

Why? When had he decided it wasn’t going to be just one night?

Matt finished his breakfast and stood up. “I have to go. I have a meeting on the other side of town.” He paused at the doorway, his eyes on Paige. “Take it easy today,” he said quietly. “You had a very late night.”

“I can cope with a late night, Matt.”

“I know. But I still think you should take it easy.” He studied her for a moment. “And I agree with Ev, that scarf looks great.”

Jake drained his coffee and stood up, too. “I’ll walk with you. I need to be in early today. Thanks for the food, Ev.” He stooped to kiss Eva casually on the cheek and then strolled out of the room after Matt.

Eva slumped in her chair. “Now I’m going to have to give you my new scarf. And I might need a whole new nervous system while we’re at it. I’m not built for drama.”

“Are you kidding me?” Frankie stood up and started to clear the plates. “You invented drama. You could marry drama, have its babies—which, by the way, would be called Crisis and Panic—and live happily ever after.”