Page 32 of Knocked Up by Mr. Grump Lawyer

I laughed again, beginning to feel more carefree.

I looked around, admiring the modern, homey interiors and expensive furniture. It was just the two of us sitting at one end of the wooden dining table for ten. The dining room itself had a high ceiling with an imposing chandelier.

“Your house is so beautiful,” I said in admiration. “I can’t believe you’re really a billionaire.”

Robert laughed. “Don’t worry. I can’t believe it either.”

“Your uncle’s probably smiling and applauding from heaven! He must want to come down here and congratulate you himself!” I exclaimed, recalling his story about his uncle who’d cared for him when he became an orphan.

“I do hope he won’t do that,” Robert grinned. “I’m afraid of ghosts.”

I laughed.

Anna had come back to serve something else. She grinned and whispered, “Yes, he is. He’s even afraid of the dark sometimes.”

That made me laugh even more. All this felt surreal, but I no longer wanted to analyze anything. I just wanted to relish the happy moment.

“Alright, let’s eat,” Robert said, motioning to all the food in front of us.

I sniffed the air. Everything smelled wonderful. The food in front of us was overwhelming. There was grilled chicken with potatoes, mushrooms, spinach pasta, vegetable soup, and a bowl of fresh fruits.

“This is a lot! I don’t know where to start,” I said, laughing.

Robert smiled at me. “Just get started. It doesn’t matter.”

“Right,” I agreed, getting a spoonful of the dish nearest to me.

After a while, Anna gave me a special kind of milk made for pregnant women. I was grateful. Then I asked her to join us, and Robert agreed. So she sat down, and we all enjoyed the hearty meal, chatting like old friends.

“So, where’s Riley now?” I asked.

“He’s at his friend’s house,” Robert answered. “But he’ll probably be here anytime soon.”

“Oh, I see. I’d love to meet him then.”

Anna smiled. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll love you, dear.”

“I do hope so. Thank you.”

And soon enough, Robert’s 10-year-old son burst into the dining area. I was instantly amused and enamored by how he looked like a younger version of Robert. He was a lot more talkative and friendlier than his father.

“Great to meet you!” he said enthusiastically once we were introduced. “Are you Dad’s girlfriend? He’s never brought anyone here before.”

I almost choked on the milk I was drinking.

Robert seemed shocked, but he quickly recovered and corrected his son. “No, Riley. Kayla is a lawyer too. We work together.”

“I think you’ve mentioned her before,” Riley said as he dove into his food. He appeared to be famished. “You never talk about people you work with, so I’m guessing you like this one a lot.”

I could hardly contain my laughter.

Anna was already laughing. “I love the way kids are so honest,” she remarked as she stood up and started cleaning up.

“Too honest,” Robert muttered, making me laugh and blush simultaneously.

I began to wonder if I really did mean more to him.

After dinner, I stayed a bit and chatted with Riley and Robert over a game of Monopoly. The kid and I got along very well, and it reminded me of how I’d always wanted to have a little brother.

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