Page 77 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

Oh, yes, we can. I already can’t wait, but I look her in the eye. “I was kidding. Well, I’m not because I do want to make you feel good later, but seriously. I’m happy about your news. I’m happy for you, baby.”

She softens, her body melting against mine. I hold her tighter, just basking in the moment and her wonderful aura. Happy Olivia is my drug, an addiction that I don’t think I will be quitting anytime soon.

In fact, quitting her seems impossible and I can almost say with certainty that I want to keep her for as long as possible. Our relationship is progressing nicely and we’re starting to fit perfectly into each other’s lives. No, we already fit, like two people who seamlessly click like a puzzle piece. Sure, it took a while to get us there after our rough patch, but after that…

“I’m happy, too.” She sighs. “But I’m also trying not to hope too much. I want this to be an inspiration, not a distraction, so I hope the clients will make reasonable demands.”

“Just remember that at the end of the day, you’re the one in control, not them. Give them your timeframe. You’ll be surprised how patient people can be.”

Just like me with her. Except my patience is wearing thin.

I know I said I don’t ever want to commit again after the failure that was my relationship with Carol, but Olivia is right. I’m not the same man I was before—and Olivia is different. At the end of the day, I have to ask myself the most important question. When the thrill of sex is gone, do I still want this woman at my side, supporting me as much as I want to support her?

The answer is resounding in my head. It’s so clear that it hurts, and all I can do is stay seated and take in how winded and overwhelmed I have suddenly become.

“Luke?”

I snap out of it and look at her worried expression. I smile and give her another kiss, reassuring her that I’m fine. Perhaps I’m reassuring myself, too, that this isn’t some midlife crisis and I don’t end up hurting her or Riley.

Which means before I tell her anything, I mentally and emotionally have to prepare everything. Plan it all down to a T, which I know Olivia will appreciate since she loves being organized more than anything else.

When I ask her to take the next step in our relationship, we will both be ready.

And my heart jumps, already anticipating it.

My mind is distracted and my emotions are all over the place as I’m already creating plans in my head. But mostly, it’s because Olivia’s still on her high, and it’s euphoric to witness it. We’re both in a splendid mood when I drive her back to her apartment, which has honestly become my comfortable space in the last few weeks, too.

“So, are you staying over tonight?”

Olivia’s question is casual as if she won’t mind if I say no. But the slight glint of hope in her eyes contrasts that lightness and I find myself grinning.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to tire you out for your weekend’s client meetings.”

A smirk tugs on her lips. “Maybe I’ll be the one to tire you out.”

I respond to her teasing with a kiss, which deepens naturally but also remains in that soft, contented state. Hunger simmers in my stomach, but when I hear her soft sigh against me, that hunger evolves into something else and makes its way to my heart.

It beats hard in my chest, then beats for her. I lose my breath and gain another sigh from her at the same time, leaving me stunned at how that small action cements how I feel about her.

I don’t just have feelings for this woman. I have deep, crazy feelings for her.

Olivia pulls back from the kiss, leaving me empty. I’m about to pull her right back in, not quite done with her yet when my phone rings in my pocket. I would ignore it if it weren’t the emergency tone, which she figures out, as well, as her eyes widen.

She’s quiet as I take the call. I’m quiet, too, listening to the voice on the other end of the line, my heart quickening for different reasons. I must be frowning as she mirrors my expression, her impatience obvious when the call ends.

“What? What’s the emergency?”

I look her in the eye. “I can’t sleep here this weekend. I need to handle an emergency operation in New Jersey tonight. It’s my old patient, Patrick. There’s a helicopter waiting at the hospital rooftop to take me to the other hospital where he’s being prepped.”

She gasps. Then, she’s the one springing into action first as she scrambles out of my car. “Then you’d better get going. With traffic and time constraints…”

“It’s fine. They scheduled it for ten. I wouldn’t normally accept, but I made a deal with the hospital regarding this particular patient…”

“Right. Go.”

“No. Let me walk you to your door first.”

“But you have to prepare…”

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