Page 31 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

“She’s the priority. She’s the focus.”

“Yes.”

Silence. A part of me wonders if he’ll back off from all the rules I’ve set, but the bigger shock is that I don’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. Before I can decide, Luke clears his throat.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay, Liv.” He looks me in the eye. “I’ll play by your rules for now. When is she free?”

The “for now” part has me frowning, but I have a feeling that bringing it up now will only make this even more complicated. So I set it aside and nod.

“She’s free during the weekends.”

“Saturday after lunch?”

“Yeah.”

“And I can drop by your house and spend time with her there?”

Luke at our house? My house? I swallow but nod again.

“Yeah.”

“Good. I’ll see you and Riley there.”

I have time to register that it’s already Friday before Luke marches off, returns to his desk, and gets to reading a new case study right away. I stay where I am, my nerves getting the best of me. Because this is it.

Luke is going to be a part of my daughter’s life now.

And whether I like it or not, that means he’s also going to be a part of mine.

Chapter 10

Luke

“Hi, Mr. Luke. Are you visiting my mom again?”

I take in Riley again. But this time, I take her in with a more open eye, memorizing every inch of the girl’s sweet face—my daughter’s sweet face. The green eyes are her most prominent features, but I’m just realizing now that she has my hair color.

And she has my smile, which is mindboggling, awe-inspiring, and crazy. Shit.

I have a daughter.

After a moment, I register the question and finally nod. “Yes. But I was told you would be home, too, so I brought you this.”

I’m about to give her a package wrapped in brown paper, but then change my mind and put it down on the coffee table when she bounces over there. After letting me in, Olivia immediately went to the kitchen, where she is now. I can smell butter and the sound of popping in the microwave.

Which means I’m alone with Riley in the living room. My daughter. Who is staring at me curiously.

I gulp, suddenly nervous. I’ve dealt with kids, but…this is my daughter. She’s not just a kid.

“How are you?”

Riley shrugs at my question. “I’m okay.”

“No more fever?”

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