Page 45 of Doctor Mile High
This hotel is very high-end. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
“Are you okay? You seem overwhelmed, Love Dove.” Winston squats in front of me, smiling at baby Winston while he naps in my arms. “I do love this picture. Actually—” He tugs his phone out of his pocket, aiming it right at us. “Smile for me.”
I lift baby Winston closer to my face so the camera can actually see him.
“A perfect family does exist,” he says behind the phone, grinning as he snaps the picture. “That’s going to be my background.”
“Oh, no it is not,” I snicker, wanting nothing more than to take a nice hot shower. “You can take another one when I’ve had a good night’s rest, bathe, and maybe put on a little makeup so I look alive.”
“You’ve never looked more alive than you do right now. You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.” He stands, kissing the middle of my forehead. “But whatever you want.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” I wink at him, wanting him to know that I’m notthatserious about my looks.
Only a little.
“Dr. Warrick,” the front desk person greets him.
Winston pushes me closer to the front desk, leaving me with an up-close view of the desk. My reflection shines back at me, leaving me stunned with how clean this hotel is. I’m flabbergasted, which is probably a little ridiculous, but this is the nicest hotel I’ve ever seen. I’m allowed to be stunned.
“Hi, I need you to credit her room back on the card she used. My fiancée and son will be staying with me at the penthouse.”
“Of course, sir. What is your fiancée’s name?”
“My name is Dove Blair.” I speak up for myself, not wanting to seem like I’m completely useless. “I work for the Vain Medical Corporation. I’m here for the conference as well.” I do my best to swallow a grunt when baby Winston stretches and lightly kicks me in my sore stomach.
“Are you okay?” Winston is by my side immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. He wiggled and stretched his legs against my stomach. That’s all.” That hurt much more than I thought. A wave of nausea causes my head to swim.
“Here. I got him, Love Dove. It’s okay. Just rest.” Winston swoops in to take our son in his muscular arms.
“Yeah, okay. Thank you. I need a minute. I need to lie down, I think. Are we almost done?” I swallow, closing my eyes as my vision begins to sway. Sweat breaks out over my forehead as a wave of heat washes over me.
“Two more minutes,” the front desk employee says as he leans over the counter to speak to me. “I’ll get you to room as soon as possible, ma’am. We only ever want you to be comfortable.” His fingers fly over the keyboard, the loud clacks of the keys ringing in my head.
With two fingers, I massage my temples, needing this feeling to pass.
“The company card has been refunded. Here are your keys to the penthouse, Dr. Warrick. If you need anything, please let us know and we will help anyway we can.”
“Thank you for your help?—”
Winston’s kindness is interrupted by Landon. Somehow, even the sound of his voice has me feeling sicker.
“Dove. Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling and texting you nonstop since yesterday. I needed you here on time and how am I not surprised that you aren’t here when I need you to be?”
I narrow my eyes, keeping the circular motion on my eyelids. “I’ve never been late a day working for you, Landon. Ever. So I don’t know where that insult even comes from.”
“I had someone waiting to pick you up at the airport only for you not to show. Do you know how much money that cost me? That’s going to come out of your check.”
Winston grips my shoulder, places our son in my arms again, and steps in front of me, concealing my body from Landon’s verbal assault.
“If you want to speak to someone with so much disrespect, Landon, you can point your venom at me. Speak to my fiancée like that again, and I will kick you out of this hotel and conference. I’ll ban you for life. I would already, if it weren’t for the fact that you have several speeches planned for young doctors who are more important to me than you are.”
“Winston Warrick,” Landon sneers with so much hatred, I think he gained a new wrinkle on the side of his mouth. “How does itfeel to ride Daddy’s coattails all the way to the top and have no talent for yourself? Just Daddy’s name.”
My brows rise so high, I’m sure they would fly off my face if they could. I swaddle my son, doing my best to keep him asleep while the boys argue and I fight not to throw up.
“Ah, Landon. Still as shortsighted as ever, I see. That hasn’t changed. How does it feel to be so bitter and jealous over success that will never be yours?” Winston’s hand cups the back of my neck, his thumb brushing back and forth.
