Page 65 of Wicked Grumpy Heart Doc

Plus, she’d had a hysterectomy, but that was none of Steve’s business.

His friend’s grin was back.

“I knew you liked her.”

“Fuck yes, I like her. Too bad she won’t go on a date with me in Boston.”

“She won’t?”

“No. She’s leaving it up to the Universe or some shit. So, any chance you’re going to be having a baby shower or engagement party where I can ‘accidentally on purpose’ run into her again?”

Steven scratched his chin as he thought about it.

“No showers in the works yet, but she’s helping Whitney with the Animal Rescue Foundation fundraiser, so I’m assuming she’s going to be there. I bought a table and happen to have an open seat still available.”

“I don’t care when it is, I will pay any amount of money for that ticket.”

His friend laughed. “It’s next Friday and you don’t have to pay me anything. Just spend a lot at the silent auction. Whitney is in charge of that and if it goes well, that will make her happy.”

“Done.”

“I hope everything works out for you two. I think last weekend was the first time I’d seen you smile in forever.”

He had smiled a lot at the Cape, so much he’d found his cheeks hurt.

“Yeah, me too. We’ll see what happens next Friday.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Dakota

She was in her office, thinking far more about a heart doctor than she should, when her phone rang—startling her. The only people who actually called her anymore were telemarketers, her parents, and Asher—since he didn’t know how to spell yet to text.

She glanced at the screen, and it wasn’t a number she knew. But as she went to reject the call, something told her to answer.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Dakota?”

She didn’t recognize the woman’s voice, so she tentatively replied, “Yes?”

“Hi, my name is Gwen. I’m a friend of Whitney’s.”

Dakota could tell by the woman’s tone something was wrong, and a feeling of immense sadness for her friend washed over her. She understood the purpose of the call.

“Whitney lost the baby.”

“Yeah, she did,” her friend confirmed. “She’s not doing very well, and she’s stressing about the gala. It’s only three days away—”

“Just tell me what you need.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dakota

She was already rethinking the red high heels as she walked backstage where the shelter dogs were. Even as she got ready for the gala, she’d questioned if they were a good idea. But they matched her dress too perfectly to not wear them.

What she should have done was bring a pair of tennis shoes to put on when she’d helped Whitney’s friend, Gwen, set up the silent auction items. Instead, she’d kicked them off, and they’d been hard to slip back on when it came time to mingle with the guests.

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