Page 15 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

“Why are you so prideful?”

My mouth thins. “I’m just being practical.”

“It’s my goddamn car. I should decide what’s practical or not.”

He’s right. I’m a little embarrassed. I’m dictating things and being too paranoid when the man is just being thoughtful, but I can’t help it. I’m not ready for that kindness after getting used to the grumpy, arrogant man in the hospital—the one who, while it gets on my nerves, is easier to deal with.

The edge in his tone brushes over me until my nerves are frayed, but I hang on to dignity and finally have the semblance not to answer. Thankfully, he doesn’t say another word, either.

And I can’t wait for this damn car ride to be over.

When we arrive at my place, the lights on the upstairs windows are turned off and only a dim glow can be seen on the first floor. I sigh in relief. Then I square my shoulders and face Luke.

“Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.”

His eyes sweep over the townhouse. “Nice place.”

I nod. “My mom’s friend owns it. She gave u—me—a decent rent price.”

My heart pounds at the close slip-up, but he doesn’t notice. Luke keeps studying the house, then the quiet neighborhood, before he turns to me. I expect a polite reply to my words before he’s off without another glance.

“I don’t know why you’re mad at me.”

Caught off guard, I gape at him. There’s a frustrated tinge to his statement, too, that gets to me because…seriously?

“You would really say that? After how you used the Dr. Grump strategy on me?”

“Dr. Grump?” His brows furrow, then clear. “Oh. The office gossip must have caught on.”

I don’t confirm, mostly because I don’t want to get the others in trouble. But I’m surprised that he knows about it and seems unfazed.

“I didn’t seek it out, by the way. I just heard.”

“I know you didn’t.”

Abort. Just get this over with.

“Anyway, I’m not mad at you. I just don’t think there’s anything connecting us anymore.”

It’s a polite statement to end the conversation, but it has the opposite effect as he only grows more frustrated. Angry, even.

“Right. Which must be why it was so easy for you to dump me.”

Shock flares. “Excuse me?”

“You sure were a good liar back then, Miss Davis, when you said all those sweet words and made me believe you wanted to see me again. I guess you just wanted one good fuck and to feel powerful for leading a guy on.”

What?

Realization slithers in that he’s talking about the past. My gaze narrows. “You were the one who dumped me.”

“What?”

“You gave me a fake number.”

His brows furrow again. “What?”

I scoff. Now I’m the one angry. “Oh, come off it with the pretense. You said all those sweet words, too, but you were the one who just wanted to get laid and discard me the next day?—‍”

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