Page 75 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

“Oh, and one last thing, Liv.”

“Yes?”

“I’m kind of sad that your pieces are leaving my museum. I really liked looking at them, so I want to commission more from you. You’re so good, Liv. Your pieces inspire me, but of course, you should prioritize the buyers first. I’m more than willing to wait until you’re ready to provide me with more artwork.”

Oh, my God.

My hand holding the phone shakes. I suppose a part of me is still wondering if she’s only doing this as a favor to Luke, who’s her good friend, but her words warm my heart and tell me right away that it isn’t the case.

Jennifer likes my art. They inspire her.

And there’s nothing more touching than that.

“I would love that, Jennifer. We can talk about it this weekend, too.”

“Sure. Sounds great. And please, call me Jen.”

We end the call on a positive note, but my energy is uncontainable. So, still with a shaking hand, I call Luke.

“Hey, Liv. I’m already at the parking lot. Where are you?”

“I’m still in the office. I’m heading downstairs. But we shouldn’t go home yet.”

“We shouldn’t?”

“No. Nancy, my sitter, has been asking for overtime to earn extra money lately, so tonight’s perfect.” I take a deep breath and grin. “It’s Friday night. I’m taking you out on a date.”

Chapter 24

Luke

When Olivia said she would take me out on a date, I didn’t expect the date to be something like this: spending time in a diner in a part of New York we have never visited before. It’s small, cozy, and a bit outdated, and I already know it’s a niche place that our co-workers probably haven’t heard of before.

But the food is fantastic and her company is just as great. I can sense an excitement vibrating from her as we fill ourselves up with burgers and conversation over how our day went, mostly spent apart after Mrs. Solis’s appointment. I know Olivia spent some time with her friends during lunch, though.

“So, how are things progressing between Jasper and Maria?”

Olivia raises a brow at my question, but her eyes twinkle. “There’s no new development. Maria still insists that Jasper should just ask Pat out and Jasper says that he will, but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.”

“Why not? Because Jasper’s shy?”

She rolls her eyes. “Jasper and shy in the same sentence? Impossible, so no. It’s because something is going on between Jasper and Maria.”

I remember the two always hanging out together whenever their breaks overlap, but mostly it’s with Olivia and Wanda. My eyes widen.

“What do you mean? Did they sleep together?”

“No. They’re friends. Good friends. But the…vibes have been off lately.”

I frown. “Explain.”

“Well, Wanda and I think something shifted between them since the hospital party that night, but it’s like they don’t want to acknowledge it. So we think one likes the other and it’s just a matter of time.”

“A matter of time for what?”

“Either one of them confessing, the two fighting, or them jumping each other somewhere in a backroom to work off the tension.”

The last one has me giving her a pointed look, which she takes with amusement.

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