between friends

Gage was tickled that Manny brought company with him. Of course, they had more than plenty. He'd helped Sage most of the afternoon with the potato salad and the ribs she finally let him grill outside.

Manny handed over Angie right away to him. She went to him as if she'd been waiting to play with his curls and the blond whiskers on his chin. Instantly, it was baby love. Her warmth was more than charming. He wanted one, but he suspected he'd have to earn it, somehow.

He settled Angie on his hip and asked. "Who's this?"

The girl Manny was with was so young. Hopefully, she wasn't underage. Of course, Gage got that once when he and Sage were waiting outside in line for a concert. Some concerned mother asked if he was with his kid sister. He told her Sage was his girlfriend. He got the third degree that she looked far too young for him. Sage flashed her driver's license to prove she was over twenty-one.

"Em." Manny grinned.

"Hi." She waved first then shook his hand. She was in a white tank with a floaty white skirt. Truly, she looked as if Manny had a bit of romance in his life. "I know you don't remember me, but we went to school together."

"Oh." Now he was sad he'd thought his brother would be out with an under-aged girl. "I-I wish I knew what to say. Maybe you can tell me..what you remember." Not that he would remember. Gage wouldn't try to remember. He'd given up on the past ever coming back.

"OK." She smiled.

"She was kind of a hard ass back then." Manny let slip more of a joke.

"Watch your tongue young man." Gage covered Angie's ear and held her close. "You can't talk that way around your daughter."

Soon enough, Sage brought out appetizers. Gage handed Angie a cracker with some cheese spread on it. The girls went into the kitchen.

"So did you go looking for her, or something?" Gage wanted to know.

"No. It was an accident." Manny munched on the fresh guacamole. "Actually, she works with Cory and it was..sort of a blind date. Em never really did like me much."

"Then what's she doing here?" Gage winced as if Manny was confusing him more.

"I think she likes Angie. And she wanted to see you." Manny informed him.

"A likely story." He let Angie down to go play with the toys in the livingroom.

"Em was very nice to you. One of your closest friends. She always stood up for you," Manny said.

"Oh, really?" This was interesting, thought  Gage.

"She just broke up with someone." Manny shrugged as if there was no chance they'd ever come over here together again.

"That's better than if she were still with that someone, right?" Gage had a feeling Manny might have a date at least this summer for various celebrations.

"I don't want to be a rebound guy." Manny said ever so quietly.

"Rebound? Its not a basketball game." Gage smiled.

Sage brought them some refreshments. The girls were already drinking margaritas.