Page 13 of Doctor Mile High
“He’s a good friend.”
“That’s it? Just a friend? With a key to your home?” she asks with her pink lips pursed.
“We’ve been friends too long. I think anything more would ruin our friendship, and I can’t handle that right now. He’s a good man, but I don’t feel that way about him. I know, I’m an idiot for not wanting to snatch him up, but the spark isn’t there for me.”
“Is it the same way for him?”
I frown. I hadn’t thought of it that way before. “I think so? He hasn’t said anything otherwise.”
“Dovey.” She hands me my phone back, patting my shoulder again. “If this isn’t a declaration of love, then I don’t know what love is. Most men wouldn’t buy a crib for a baby who isn’t theirs.”
“But he’s being a good friend. A good friend would, right?”
“Yes, but I think you might need to have a talk with him, Dovey. To make sure you’re both on the same page.”
My phone vibrates again, Hanson’s name popping up with another image. Shelly leans over my shoulder, wanting to be nosey. I don’t mind. I share everything with Shelly.
Hanson sent me a photo of a small dresser that’s against the opposite wall from the crib.
Hanson:I can’t have my niece or nephew not having what they need. Plus, I know you want to buy all the cute clothes. Now, you have somewhere to put them.
“Sounds like a man in love to me, but what do I know? Don’t listen to an old lady like me who’s been divorced seven times and left widowed once.”
My mouth falls open in shock. “You were married eight times?”
She lets out a dreamy sigh and stares out into space. “Yeah, they were all the loves of my life. What can I say? I don’t believe in soulmates. I think you can love as many times as you want. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but it doesn’t mean there was never love involved if it fails.”
“What are you doing? Do you think I pay you to stand around and talk all fucking day, Shelly?”
A cramp shoots across my stomach the moment I hear Landon’s voice. I grunt, doubling over when the pain takes my breath.
Shelly scowls. “Fire me, Landon. Like I give a shit. You think you’re such a big boy with your loud mouth. I’m checking on your heavily pregnant assistant. Something you should do more often. I’m sure a lawyer would love to know how you’re treating her. If anyone needs to fuck off, it’s you.”
“Shelly,” I whisper in awe.
I have to hold in my laughter because the look on Landon’s face is priceless. He’s turning red with how angry he is.
Shelly lifts her wrinkled middle finger at him. “Asshole.”
“If Dove isn’t feeling well, she needs to communicate that to me,” Landon says, blaming me once again for his thoughtlessness.
I’ve told him numerous times, until I eventually gave up because he ignored me.
“Right,” Shelly sneers. “As if you would care if she came to you with a concern.”
“Careful how you speak to me, Shelly,” Landon warns, taking a step forward.
Shelly takes a step forward too, meeting him inch for inch. “Come on then,” she challenges. “Fire me. Or are you scared because I have so many more connections that can ruin you than you could ever threaten me with. Go ahead, Landon.” She clicks her tongue and laughs. “I’m an old bitch you do not want to cross.”
Landon’s nostrils flare before his evil eyes find me. “Did you book the accommodations for the War-Med Con yet?”
“I’m working on that now. I’m trying to find the best for you, sir.” I plaster on the fakest smile, rubbing my belly to bring myself a small amount of comfort.
“When you’re done, you can go home for a long weekend. Keep your phone on, though, and take your work laptop.”
“So you aren’t allowing her to rest. You’re making her work from home on the weekend. Does she get paid for all this work, Mr. Vainton?” Shelly’s aged voice drips with venom when speaking to him, but with me she’s as sweet as sugar.
Landon’s jaw flexes and his fists clench at his sides. “Fine. Enjoy your long weekend, Dove. You deserve it.” He runs his fingers through his gel-soaked hair.
