Chapter 754

 754:
She finally said, “I’ll go back to my room and call Dolores.”
“Of course. Talk it over with her,” Gorman said with a calm nod. His unexpectedly soft tone made Linsey’s guard ease up, almost without realizing it.
She left the kids in his care and headed back to her room.
Once she was alone, she closed the door and messaged Dolores to ask if she was free for a call.
A moment later, her phone lit up. Dolores was calling.
“Linsey, are you feeling better now?” Dolores asked right away, concern in her voice.
“I’m much better after that nap. Not as tired now,” Linsey replied quietly.
Dolores sighed with relief. “You fell asleep in the car, and we didn’t want to wake you, so we took you back to the hotel. I had Caylee pick up Zenia and Gorman. Luckily, Zenia was very understanding. We explained everything, and she didn’t blame you for not being there.”
She paused, then added with a soft note of guilt, “Please don’t be mad at us. We didn’t mean for you to break your promise to her.”
Linsey’s heart softened at that. “You were looking out for me. Why would I be mad?”
Linsey lowered her gaze, eyes lingering on the closed door, then asked quietly, “Did Gorman hint that I have to be at tomorrow night’s banquet?”
Dolores’s tone shifted, becoming more serious. “Yes. Before I left, he mentioned it more than once. And just now, he texted me again, stressing how important it is that you go.”
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A chill ran through Dolores as she added, almost to herself, “I don’t get it. Why is Gorman so set on having you there? I asked around earlier — the banquet is completely optional. Designers aren’t required to attend. The follow-up work will be handled by the company reps anyway.”
Linsey’s eyes narrowed slightly. She let out a quiet sigh. “I really thought Gorman might’ve changed over the years. But he’s still the same — always overthinking things. That said, he’s helped me a lot over the past four years. I can’t fault him too much.”
Dolores hesitated, then asked, “So… have you figured out why he’s doing this?”
Linsey didn’t think long before answering softly, “He probably wants to see if I still have feelings for Collin.”
Dolores was silent for a few seconds before gently asking, “Do you?”
That question made Linsey pause. After a moment, her voice came low and a little unsteady. “Dolores, I won’t lie to you. I don’t even know myself. It’s been four years, I should’ve moved on, but somehow… I just haven’t.”
Dolores felt a tightness in her chest hearing that. After a beat, she reminded her, “Do you remember what you said when I first brought up the design competition? You were so sure of yourself. I asked if you were worried about seeing Collin again, and you told me your dreams mattered more than your ex-husband ever could.”
Linsey let out a laugh, light and surprised. “Did I really say something that bold?”
“You did. So, there’s no need to be afraid of running into him. If it happens, it happens. It’s not like he can kick us out of town.”
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