Chapter 216

Lanny thought he saw Dorothea glance over when they were talking, but she looked away almost instantly. He couldn’t quite tell if she’d really heard, so he got up and headed to the restroom to find Latham.

He ran right into Latham just as he was coming out, drying his hands. Latham raised an eyebrow. “What’s up? Looking for me p>

Lanny grinned. “Hey, Latham, Edmond just asked you about your tattoo, and I think Dorothea might’ve overheard p>

“I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea, so I figured I should tell you p>

Latham gave a soft chuckle. “What would she misunderstand p>

Lanny hesitated. “You… you haven’t gotten it removed, right p>

After graduating, Lanny had opened a tattoo shop just because he loved it. Business was decent, and he could make his own schedule. Sure, it wasn’t the most traditional job, and yeah, it made dating harder, but honestly, he liked his life.

He’d been surprised when Latham showed up at his shop one night. They weren’t close, barely even friends. Lanny was just about to lock up when Latham called. When he arrived, the smell of booze hit Lanny right away.

“Latham, how much did you drink?” Lanny asked, raising his brows.

Latham just patted his shoulder. “I want a tattoo. Here. Can you do it p>

He pointed to the spot right over his heart.

Lanny paused, thinking about it. That spot was a bit fleshy, but he never really cared where people wanted their ink. Still, he suggested, “How about just below the collarbone? It’s close, but you can hide it if you want, or show it off. Easier that way p>

Latham, even drunk, nodded. “Alright, your call p>

“So, what do you want p>

Latham picked up a pen and wrote down two letters: D.L.

“Tattoo this p>

Lanny noticed Latham’s hand shook just a little as he wrote. Maybe it was just the alcohol, but for a second, Lanny wondered if Latham was heartbroken. But then again, who could possibly break someone like him?

As a pro, Lanny never asked questions about his clients’ business. He just opened his tool kit. “Latham, this spot’s gonna hurt. Brace yourself p>

Latham let out a quiet, bitter laugh. “Nothing hurts more than today p>

Lanny didn’t press. When he

finished, Latham tried to pay. Lanny waved him off, but Latham insisted dropping ten thousand and one

dollars on the table. fo

“Latham, it’s not worth that much p>

“I’m leaving p>

He’d come in half-drunk, but when he walked out, his steps were steady. Looked like he’d sobered up.

Lanny just hoped Latham wouldn’t come back to complain. Tattoos could be removed, but there’d always be some marks left behind.

Not long after, Lanny kept seeing gossip about Latham and male models. He’d thought, so Latham really does like men.

“I never removed the tattoo. Why would I?” Latham’s answer snapped Lanny out of his thoughts.

“Oh, so Dorothea saw it too p>

Latham actually laughed at that. “So what p>

Lanny gave a nervous smile. “Aren’t you worried Dorothea will be mad p>

“No p>

Dorothea was leaning against the wall nearby. She took a deep breath, her fingers curling at her sides, then she turned and walked away.

She’d always known Latham didn’t love her. Their marriage was just an agreement. She kept reminding

herself with every step, but the ache in her chest just kept growing no matter how hard she tried to push it down.

Lanny’s jaw dropped. So Dorothea was just a prop in all this?

But then Latham looked at him like he was missing the point. “It’s her name. Why would I be afraid p>

“My wife’s name is Dorothea Lane. Got it?” Latham gave Lanny a pat on the shoulder before heading off “You’ve done so many tattoos, and you’re still single. I thought you’d have figured things out by now. Keep trying, man p>