Page 33 of Knocked Up by Mr. Grump Lawyer

As time passed, I became more and more comfortable with the thought of keeping the baby and just dealing with my father later on. As for my career, it would have to be paused for a while, but I can always come back to it in the future.

Imagining myself with a Riley of my own — having my own child in the future — wasn’t so bad. I could also see how this boy made Robert so happy just by his mere presence. It’s amazing.

After a while, Robert excused himself to go to the bathroom.

“So, do you like my dad?” Riley blurted out all of a sudden, catching me off-guard.

“I, uh…” I didn’t know what to say.

“I’ve never seen him smile that much with anyone,” Riley said. He tossed the dice and moved his token forward to a property on the board game. “Yes! I’m definitely buying this!”

I was surprised at his comment. Knowing that I had that effect on Robert gave me joy and warmth.

Robert came back then. He smiled at me and I almost laughed out loud at the fuzzy feeling it gave me.

This was just so strange. But it’s a happy kind of strange.

Chapter 14

ROBERT

“Goodmorning,Sandy!”Igreeted the receptionist at Lee and Emery the following morning when I got to work.

“Oh, my god!” she exclaimed, alarming me.

“Why? What happened?” I immediately asked.

“You’re finally in love!” she exclaimed as she grinned from ear to ear. “You are glowing!”

I was confused for a while.

“You never greet me cheerfully in the morning,” she pointed out.

“Of course I do,” I insisted.

“Oh, no way!” she said. “Not in all the time I’ve known you here.”

I laughed. “Well, things can change. I’m finally loosening up.”

“You’re in love, Atty. Jefferson!” she said in a teasing tone. “Who is she? Anybody I know?”

I simply chuckled and dismissed it with a wave of my hand. “I’ll chat with you later, Sandy,” I said as I strolled inside and went straight to my work area. But on the way, I glanced at Kayla’s desk. She wasn’t there yet.

After a few minutes, I noticed that she hadn’t arrived yet. I started to get worried. She seemed fine when I drove her home last night.

I called her up, but her phone just kept on ringing.

I let a few more minutes pass, pretending to be okay. But I was greatly worried now.

Suddenly, I heard her father’s voice behind me. “Atty. Jefferson, how are you?”

I turned around and faced Atty. Arthur Brown with a courteous expression on my face. For some weird reason, my heart began to pound. “Good morning, Atty. Brown,” I managed to say as if nothing was amiss. “I’m good, thank you. And you?”

“Doing well,” he replied. “Have you seen my daughter this morning?”

“Not yet, Sir,” I answered. It was the truth, after all. I hoped he wouldn’t ask about last night.

“Okay, thanks,” he said. He walked away, tapping on his cell phone. I was guessing he was sending her another message. It was unlike her to miss work or even be late without notice.

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