Page 30 of Flirt Away

Xavier was on his feet in seconds. “Good news? My wife is okay?”

“Yes. They are moving her to recovery. You’ll be able to see her in half an hour or less.”

“Oh, thank God.” Xavier broke down. Tears poured from the man’s eyes. He hugged his father as if he couldn’t hold his weight.

“Mom. What happened?” Dixie asked, knowing the family would need more answers.

“Her doctors will have better information, but she was unable to clot, which caused her to hemorrhage. She lost a lot of blood but is on the road to a full recovery.”

“Thank you, Mom.” Dixie squeezed Zane’s hand.

“Are you going to introduce me to your friend? Boyfriend?” Her mother inched closer.

“Zane, this is my mother, Dr. Lena Gaynor.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Zane stretched out his arm and shook her mom’s hand. “We really appreciate your help.”

“Anything for my little pumpkin.” She glanced down and frowned. Reaching into Dixie’s purse, she pulled out the sandwich. “Really, honey? This is not the way to lose those winter pounds you’ve been—”

“Excuse us,” Zane said. His body tensed, and he squeezed Dixie’s hip. “We’ve been permitted to go see my new niece, and I don’t want to miss that opportunity.”

“You meanyouhave. I’d liked to have a word with my daughter. Alone,” her mother said.

“Not if you’re going to talk to her like that.” Zane puffed out his chest.

Dixie sucked in a deep breath. “Stop it. Both of you.” No way in hell would she stand there and let the man she loved and her fucking mother talk about her as if she weren’t even in the room. As if that would help her with her issues. “Zane. I know you mean well, but it’s not helping.”

He smiled. “I think it did help.” He kissed her nose.

“That was backhanded,” she whispered. “Mother.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Then don’t call mepumpkin. It’s rude. And while we’re at it, stop telling me what to eat. If you haven’t figured it out yet,you’repart of the problem.”

“I am not, and I take offense to that.” Her mother planted her hands on her hips. “I’ve done nothing but try to support you by—”

“Shaming me. That’s all you do is fat and food shame me. I’m a grown woman, and I know what putting too much food in my body does to it. And trust me, I work on it every day. But I have triggers, and you’re one of them.” If Zane wasn’t holding her up, she thought she might have fallen over.

Her mother opened her mouth but then snapped it shut. “I’m not going to stand here and be humiliated like this. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be healthy.” She turned her gaze toward Zane. “If you care about her, I’d think you’d want the same.” Her mother turned on her heel and stormed off.

Dixie tried to shake Zane’s hold on her hand, but he wouldn’t let go.

She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t let her leave his embrace.

“Don’t listen to her,” he whispered, stroking her hair as he cradled her against his strong chest. “She should be concerned about your happinessandyour health. The fact she doesn’t see that shows how shallow she really is.”

Dixie tilted her head.

He wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“You never asked what kind of doctor she is,” Dixie said.

“Okay. I’ll bite.”

“She’s a plastic surgeon.”

Zane’s entire family tried not to laugh, but it proved impossible.

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