Page 163 of Wicked Little Thief

The cocker spaniel’s nubby tail wagged furiously in response.

“She’s always a good girl,” Utah said from where she stood in front of the refrigerator.

Without thinking, he replied, “Just like her mama.”

He froze as soon as the words left his mouth. It felt like he’d committed a cardinal sin just mentioning anything related to motherhood in front of her.

It was the proverbial elephant in the room, and it felt like it was crushing the life out of him.

Liam supposed in a sense it was. Once Utah was gone, he wouldn’t have much left in his life, other than work and Phoebe.

He handed Phoebe her treat then looked over to see Utah quietly putting the bottle opener back in the drawer, her mouth drawn down. She was obviously thinking the same thing.

When she noticed him watching her, she quicky plastered a smile on her face.

“My Liege,” she announced as she presented his beer to him Vanna White-style.

He couldn’t help but smile as he took it, then placed a long kiss on her forward. “Thank you, little bee.”

“My pleasure. Dinner should be ready in ten minutes.”

She turned to leave but he reached down and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him.

I love you so much.

Please don’t go.

We can have a baby.

He opened his mouth to tell her what he was thinking, but the words wouldn’t come.

With a sad smile, he closed his mouth and kissed her again before letting go of her.

How fucking poetic.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Utah

“The board wants to wrap things up before Christmas, so they’d like your final report this Wednesday,” he told her as they ate dinner.

She was glad he was finally acting normal. He’d been weird ever since he’d called her Phoebe’s mama when he got home earlier.

Utah had been planning on telling him she was going to sign her lease on Thursday, but decided she’d wait.

“I can do that.”

“They also would like you to present it.”

She paused with her fork in midair.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“I’ll have them sign off that you successfully completed your probation before you come in. Then after you give them your report, the only one they could have a problem with is me. And I’ve told you before, I’d have a new job by the next day.”

“If they want it by Wednesday, I probably should go into the hospital tomorrow.”

“How about I take you to lunch? Somewhere expensive and away from the hospital.”

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