Page 21 of Silver Fox

“Apparently the Youngs don’t know it either, because she hasn’t told them.”

“Oh, my goodness. Well, I rarely butt in, but—”

I laughed out loud. “You stick your nose where it doesn’t belong like a backseat driver.”

“If I didn’t stick my nose in some things, you’d have a third one on the way.”

“I was drunk, Mom.” I remembered the evening Tiffany had attended our family event when Laila was one. Well, most of it, at least. Tiff poured me one whiskey after another and we ended up in the bathroom, her against the wall and me fucking her from behind. I shuddered.

“I guess I should thank you. How is Dad doing?”

“No complications. Your father’s down to semi-annual checkups, thank goodness.”

“That’s good. That’s really great.” I looked out into the distance.

“James, why are you interested in the Youngs? Is their daughter in trouble?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that, because I didn’t know myself. Family was everything to me, and I had a difficult time understanding why Laura hadn’t told her parents she’d had a baby.

“I hope not. Do you have the surgeon’s contact information?”

“I do. I’ll text it to you.” She picked up her phone and sent me the details.

“Dr. Hippo specializes at Memorial General as well. It’s where I’m getting my bone marrow biopsy next week.”

“That’s good, but maybe you should re-schedule for sooner. Like for today.”

“You’re worried?” I asked.

“No, I’m not. You’re young and fit. Whatever you face, we face together. But the sooner you know, the better. Your father made a donation to that hospital after his surgery. I’m sure we can get you in sooner.”

“You think it’s that important?”

She touched my shoulder. “It would make me feel better.”

“All right. I’ll call Dr. Hippo today.” I covered her hand with mine. “No worries, Mom. I’m sure everything’s gonna be fine.”

Kensi smoothed her hand over her tummy and I rushed to her side, lifting her into my arms.

“Does it hurt, baby?”

“A little.”

I turned to my mother. “Does she look more yellow to you today?”

“It’s my camouflage, Daddy.”

I set her down on the couch.

“She had a good night’s sleep, which is far more than I can say for you. You’ve been working insane hours. Please tell me you’re not skipping sleep.”

“Not trying to. The woman I dropped off at home last night was Dr. Young’s daughter.”

“The nutcracker?”

I nodded. “Yeah, her.”

“And?”

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