The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 585

Petty quickly pressed a kiss to Manley's cheek. Just as she was about to pull back, the little guy squirmed in Franco's arms again.

He pouted his lips, clearly dissatisfied. "Kiss togevah!"

Near the staircase, Jay silently reversed his course. Pretending he had never come upstairs in the first place, he backed down a few steps without turning around.

A flash of panic crossed Petty's eyes. What was up with this kid's endless demands?

What did "kiss together" even mean?

Did he want her and Franco to kiss his cheeks at the same time, or did he want her and Franco to kiss each other?

When she was pregnant with Manley, she had sworn to herself that she would be a fun, accommodating mother. While she wouldn't indulge him without boundaries, she fully intended to grant his reasonable wishes.

Especially today, his first real birthday.

She wanted to spoil him rotten; there was nothing she wouldn't do for him.

Seeing the bright, expectant look in his eyes, Petty secretly prayed he meant her first guess.

That she and Franco would kiss his cheeks simultaneously.

But Manley, her very own flesh and blood, had absolutely zero telepathy with her. In his crisp, cheerful toddler voice, he demanded, "Kiss kiss! Dada, Mama, kiss kiss!"

The second the words left his mouth, Petty's vision went dark.

The subtle, musky scent of agarwood flooded her senses as the overwhelming, commanding presence unique to him crashed over her like a tidal wave.

Before she could even process what was happening, a soft warmth pressed against her forehead.

A kiss as light as a dragonfly skimming the water's surface.

The man's deep, magnetic voice brushed right against her ear, carrying a coaxing edge. "I didn't kiss you to cross a line. It was just to placate him. I'll get him dressed, you go wash up."

Aside from close friends, the medical team who had cared for Manley was also invited.

Hans and Dr. Ian Cavanaugh were already on their way, and Amy would be arriving after her morning interview.

Walking downstairs, Petty spotted Jay. She walked over, flashing him a bright smile.

A flicker of suspicion crossed Jay's stoic face. Uncharacteristic warmth usually meant trouble. Sure enough, Petty asked, "Could you do me a huge favor and pick up Amy?"

It wasn't that she was trying to play matchmaker or stick her nose where it didn't belong. It was just that Amy hadn't given up on pursuing him.

Even though Amy had confessed to her last month that Jay had flat-out rejected her—claiming that during his mercenary days, he'd been with plenty of women just to blow off steam, and that she wasn't his type.

Petty didn't know if that was the truth about his past, but she knew she wouldn't meddle in his love life, and she knew Jay wasn't the type of jerk to intentionally hurt someone.

Jay had already anticipated her request. After two seconds of stony silence, he replied, "Fine."