Page 29 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

“I’ll wait in my office.”

There’s a cool, almost cold tinge to his voice, and I don’t blame him. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I would probably be even angrier if I were in his shoes. Before I can open my mouth to respond, Mark speaks.

“He’s in a mood again. But it’s your lunch break, so you have a right to stay here longer.”

I glance at my watch. “Actually, I’m past my lunch break.”

“Oh. Oops. I talk too much.” Mark grins sheepishly. “Sorry for getting you in trouble.”

“It’s fine. I’m not in trouble. And it was nice chatting with you.”

“We can probably chat more when we get that drink or dinner. Just let me know when you’re free.”

I nod but don’t confirm, already distracted as I get up to make my way back to the office. When I get there, Luke spears his gaze straight at me.

“You shouldn’t be entertaining Mark that much. He has quite the reputation.”

“What reputation?”

“Playboy. He sleeps around with his work colleagues. Preferably the nurses and medical assistants.”

I’m surprised by that, mostly because there are no signs—and either Wanda, Maria, or Jasper are usually the first to tell me. But I suppose those three haven’t seen me around Mark much, since we interact during quiet hours, and my lunch hour doesn’t coincide with theirs as often anymore.

“We’re friends. That’s all there is to it.”

Luke continues frowning. “But if you spend time with him like that, especially in public, people are going to think you’re more than friends.”

My back goes up. But I take a deep breath to control my temper, not about to let him get to me while he’s in a mood. I don’t know what’s up his ass, but it’s not pleasant and I’ve had enough of it.

“Is that why you called me to your office? To warn me off Mark and pry into my personal life?”

My voice is as cool as his. Good. But I’m not prepared for the sudden shift in his expression, the tension leaving his face and frustration taking over.

He rubs a hand over it and sighs. Then he crosses the distance between us, stopping in front of me until I can smell him. When he speaks, the coolness is gone and there’s a softness there…and uncertainty.

“No. That’s not what I called you in for.”

“Luke? What’s wrong?”

My hands itch to reach out, but I keep them beside me. Worry flits in. Is he sick?

Dark brown eyes bore into mine. “I want to see Riley.”

Just like that, my back goes up again. It’s an instinctive reaction more than anything, along with wanting to back away and tell him an instant no. But I can’t do that.

Instead, I study him. Aside from the softness and uncertainty, there’s an earnest vibe to him, too…and nerves. I rarely see Luke nervous—hell, probably never—and it’s such a strange sight.

Later, I recall all the visible emotions he went through when he first found out that Riley was his daughter: Shock that it was true. Anger that I kept it a secret.

Dismay that he never got to be in his daughter’s life.

Out of all of them, the last part hits me the most, and I don’t want to see it on him again. I take a deep breath, willing myself to let go of my pride and that incessant selfishness of wanting to keep Riley to myself.

She’s mine, but she’s not just mine—and it’s time for me to learn how to share.

“Okay.”

My answer catches Luke off-guard, his expression stunned. But he recovers quickly.

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