Preston’s mouth momentarily drops open at the interruption. “Excuse me?”
“The mother of your child and nothing else. For a doctor, you don’t understand basic concepts very well.”
Preston bares his teeth. “Is this supposed to be a joke? Did you hire him as your holidate? Whatever she’s paying you, I’ll double it.”
“Is he serious?” James turns to me.
Exhaling, I cover my face with my hand. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“I get a say about who my daughter is around. If you pick up some random man off the street who does God knows what for a living, I’m going to protest.”
“Let me set your mind at ease. I’m a doctor.”
Preston’s eyes bulge. “W-What? Where do you work?”
He gives a shit-eating grin. “I have my own practice.”
“Were you seeing him before we broke up?”
“Finally, you admit it.” I toss my hands in the air.
“Is Flora even mine?”
My jaw drops.
“You are way out of line,” James barks.
“It’s all very coincidental, isn’t it?” He gives a fake laugh. “No wonder you didn’t want to stay with me. You had another doctor in the wings. Look at all the things he’s bringing you for the baby.”
“It’s for Monty, you cunt. I’m the vet who found him.”
Preston blinks. “An animal doctor?”
“That’s usually what a veterinarian is, yes.” James nods.
“Well, then I suppose I owe you my thanks for finding the runt. Faye was quite upset about his disappearance.” His features smooth over seamlessly as he hides the demon that lurks inside of him.
“Right,” James says dryly. I want to jump for joy. A person other than me has seen the dark side he keeps hidden. “If you’ll step aside, we’re going to get Monty settled in.”
“I thought the days of house calls were over,” Preston snarks.
“It all depends on the area, but believe me, this one is on the house.” James wraps his arms around my waist, and I allow it. For once, it’s nice to not fight this never-ending battle on my own.
Preston looks from James to me. “I see.”
“I hope so. Because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
If only he meant that. James is a catch. Eventually, he’ll get tired of me, the drama I come with, and the responsibilities that will always take precedence over him. Enjoy him now. Don’t expect more.
“You’ve always been engaging. Even for your charms, this is a bit much for someone you just met. What did you do to incite such loyalty?”
“The same thing that keeps you unable to let her go, I’d imagine,” James drawls.
“I’ll be sure to let your parents know you were too busy with company to come by.”
I grit my teeth. “You’re going to say what you want regardless.” I shrug, feigning a nonchalance I don’t at all feel.
Preston’s eyes darken. “I leave in two more days. We will talk before then.”