Page 10 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

“Hey, boy! It's good to see you too.”

He lays on his back with his limbs up, and I rub his tummy, grinning.

“Who’s a good boy? That’s right. It’s Tex. Tex is a good boy.”

Mom places a plate of pancakes and sausage before me, and Richard strolls in.

“Hey, Tex!”

Tex rushes over to him and skips.

“Aww, you want a hug, don’t you?”

He squats, and Tex jumps on him, nearly pushing him to the ground.

“What are you doing today, Jason?” Mom asks.

“Uhmm…I’ll be heading to Glendale for a friend’s Art exhibition.”

“Oh, in that case, I’ll need you to help me pick up some cat food. I hear there's a new pet shop called Pet Star on Rodeo Drive. Tracy and Doe are eating like they were starved in a previous life. They say the new shop is like a pet paradise.”

“Guess I should also do the same for Tex. Do you have the address? I have to get going soon so I can make it in time for Dam’s exhibition.”

“I'll send it. Will you be seeing Davidson anytime soon?”

I love my mom, but boundaries are a difficult thing for her to understand. I've reiterated countless times that work-related discussions are off-limits whenever I'm on leave, regardless of how brief they may be. The last thing I want is to be burdened with stress while trying to recuperate. I lift my gaze from my plate, giving her a sharp glare in response to her slip-up. She clears her throat and turns away, presumably to tend to the cooker.

“I forgot. Sorry.”

I exhale and eat the rest of my food in silence. When I’m done, I wipe my mouth and stand.

“I’m leaving. Anything else you want me to get?”

“Yes! Doritos.”

“Not you, idiot,” I say to Richard, grinning.

“Ouch.”

I shake my head and walk to the parking lot. It looks like it might rain, and as the sunny skies are replaced with dark gentle whispers from the wind blowing the trees and from the chilliness escaping the pool in the backyard, I get into the car and drive off.

It’s raining when I hit the road, and pedestrians run helter-skelter, frantically searching for shelter, and only a handful of people are equipped with umbrellas.

“In 500m, turn right,”Google Maps says.

I look up and squint. It’s difficult to see where exactly I’m supposed to turn with the downpour, but I turn into a small street.

“Keep going on Rodeo Drive for 1km. Your destination will be on your left.”

The rain is starting to ease off as I approach the store. I’ve been on this road a thousand times. I never saw a pet store once. My brows furrow as I try to keep my eyes on the lookout for a pet shop called Pet Star. Nothing.

My phone rings; it’s Eva. Again. Maybe I should pick it up.

“Why have you been calling me all morning?”

“Hey, don’t you miss me too?”

My fists tightened around the steering wheel.

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