Page 56 of Doctor Mile High
Winston kisses the top of my head. “He’s in love you with, Dove. I can’t say I blame him. You’re very easy to love.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I really don’t think that’s it. It has to be something else. We’ve been friends for far too long. He just won’t talk to me.”
I also just don’t want to believe he has feelings for me, because then that means our friendship is over.
And I’m not ready for that.
15
WINSTON
It’s beena few days of being holed up in the penthouse, enjoying time with my son and my future wife.
I hate that her mind and heart are conflicted by Hanson. I’ve never met him and I’d be fine if I never met him, but he’s clearly very important Dove. I know she doesn’t want to believe he’s in love with her, but he is. The man is hurt, and nursing a broken heart over the fact that the best friend he fell in love with is with another man.
And I don’t plan to ever give her up.
He will never have her like I get to. He will never feel her like I do. He won’t be able to feel her lips against his or her body tensing as she orgasms on his cock.
I had to go without her for eight months. I know how devastating it is to miss a woman you think will never be yours. I understand how much that hurts, but if he wants to continue to be in her life, he better get used to it.
My phone vibrates with Olivia’s name flashing across the screen. “Olivia,” I answer. “Did you make it?”
“I did. I got here late last night. A few things, Dr. Warrick, outside your door is a baby sling for you. Please read the instructions.”
“I’m not an idiot. I know. What else?”
She sighs, crackling the connection with her breath. “There’s a lot of buzz about you and that Landon asshole. You need to make sure you show up because a lot of people here are talking about not coming back next year. You’re going to lose a lot of donors if you don’t do something about this.”
“I’ll take care of it.” I check my watch to see we only have about thirty minutes before we need to leave. “I don’t want Landon giving any of his lectures. Please revoke his privileges. I want him escorted off the premises.”
“No. I do not recommend you do that. You need to pretend you and he can exist in the same space and be professional. After this conference, fine, don’t welcome him back. The only damage control you need to do is pretend that he doesn’t bother you. If you revoke his clearance now, the people that are here for him will leave, and you can’t afford to allow that to happen.”
I scoff confidently as I sip my coffee while I watch Dove get ready for the day. She’s putting on a little makeup, “to look alive” she said. I think she looks beautiful, but it isn’t about what I think. It’s about Dove and how she feels.
“I can afford it, but my reputation means more than money.”
“That’s what I mean, Winston. This isn’t just your reputation. It’s your family’s. That is more important. I say, we push through it. Act as if you’re fine with Landon. Then, when all of this is said and done, we can take him down, and we can have the press ready. If you do it now, all anyone will remember is your loudargument over Dove in the lobby. You also don’t want anything to come back on her, right?”
I growl, not liking the thought of anyone using anything against her. “Of course, I don’t. I’ll take care of it. I’ll be the perfect Warrick today, Olivia. I promise.”
“Good. Now, do you two need anything before the show starts? Bottles? Breast pumps? Diapers?”
“Everything.” I yawn. “Definitely breast pumps. She mentioned something about it last night. Also, I want the private jet set up for us to return, Olivia. I don’t want my recovering fiancée or my newborn on a plane with hundreds of people.”
“How do you think I got here? I scheduled a private ride. The jet is here. It’s ready whenever you are.”
“How are you always a step ahead of me?”
“After working for you for so long, it’s easy to predict what you’ll need. I need to go. I’m serious, Winston. Play nice today.”
“I will. I will.” I end the call and finish packing the diaper bag, hang it on the handle of the wheelchair, then run down the steps to get the sling Olivia dropped off before sprinting back up the steps.
I take two at a time. I don’t like being away from Dove just in case she needs help. Taking a few deep breaths, I’m relieved to see she’s still finishing her makeup, so I begin to read the instructions for the sling.
It doesn’t take long until I have the sling wrapped around me. I pick up baby Winston, slipping him into the sling, and he yawns again before falling right back to sleep. I pat his back, swayingside to side to help him fall asleep quicker as I watch Dove slip an emerald-green dress over her head.
Even though she’s done getting ready, I can already see how tired she’s becoming. “Come on, Love Dove. Sit down in the wheelchair and let’s go. I’ll do my speech that I have scheduled today and then we can come back here, then prepare to go home.”
