Page 7 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

“I do. I’m very honored.”

“Good. I expect the best.”

“I know.”

“Don’t disappoint me. Sort out those files. My previous medical assistant messed it up, so don’t do the same.”

Then there’s nothing left to say, so I give her one final nod and walk out of my office.

Chapter 3

Olivia

“Can’t you just call the father?”

“The father’s a one-night stand, Janessa. We met in a bar and parted ways the same night.”

“So, you don’t have anything else?”

“I have his number.”

“Then call him, Liv.”

I sigh. “It’s a fake number. He gave me a fake number, probably not to let me down hard. I don’t know. I just know it goes to a restaurant when I dial.”

“Bastard.” My friend and old coworker, Janessa Parker, makes noises in her throat. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“It’s not even his fault. We weren’t looking for anything in that place.” Except I thought there was a connection there, our souls intertwining as sex became much more than sex. He said it, too, eager to meet up with me another time after giving me his number. What a loser I am for believing him. “And he wore a condom. It’s just terrible luck on my end.”

“Still, this is as much his luck as yours. His responsibility, too.”

I take a deep breath, then shudder it out. Then I tremble all over as I look my friend in the eye, terrified. “Janessa, I’m a little scared.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

Sympathetic eyes meet mine. Then her hands take mine, squeezing hard and offering comfort…and strength.

“Liv, I’m here. So is your mom. We’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

The memory is a painful one; my terrified, younger self flooded with the most worried thoughts and doubts. But Janessa kept her promise, supporting me during my pregnancy. She became the best godmother to Riley up until we left the city we lived in. Janessa still calls us from time to time and is my best friend now, while my mom, well, she was the best mother in the world for taking care of Riley whenever I had too much on my plate.

I realize that while I was a single mother, I wasn’t truly alone. I had a support system who loved me and Riley deeply, and that’s all one really needs.

Now I’m here in New York, on my own two feet, with no one to turn to like before. But it’s an adventure more than anything because Janessa and my mom—and Riley—have helped me become a better, stronger person.

“Hey, there you are. And starting off great, I can see.”

I break out of my reverie and look up to find Wanda sticking her head in the office—Luke’s office, where I’ve been sitting for the better part of the morning to do what he instructed. Thankfully, he hasn’t come back since, though that’s no consolation since I know we’ll be working closely together from here on out.

My nerves prickle at the thought. Damn it.

I paste on a smile, not wanting Wanda to see my worries.

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