Chapter 289

Beatty kept checking the time. She’d been waiting all morning for Latham to call, but her phone stayed stubbornly silent.

In the end, she gave up and called him herself.

“Hey, Latham. Do you have time for lunch today p>

There was a brief pause before he answered. “Sorry, not today. My wife’s busy at noon. How about another time, when she’s free too? We can all have dinner together p>

Beatty tried to keep things light. “Wow, it’s getting harder and harder to catch you for a meal p>

Latham glanced at the sofa, catching sight of Dorothea sitting there, clearly eavesdropping, her attention focused on every word. He smiled, putting the call on speaker.

“What can I say? Once you’re married, you have to be careful. You’ll get it once you tie the knot. I don’t want my wife getting upset over things that cross the line p>

Beatty went quiet for a second. Was he hinting that she didn’t know her boundaries?

She forced a smile. “You’re right. I won’t bother you. Let’s get together when you both have time p>

After she hung up, Latham walked over and gently tapped Dorothea’s nose. “Happy now p>

Dorothea gave a little huff, but there was almost a smile on her face.

Latham could tell she was in a good mood.

He looked at her, his eyes soft. “Dorothea, do you like me a little more now p>

She didn’t say anything, so he scooped her up and settled her on his lap.

“No hiding,” he said, a rare note of firmness in his voice.

He made her look at him, waiting for her answer.

Dorothea’s ears turned pink. “I like you. Is that enough p>

Latham leaned in, stealing her breath with a kiss.

Her cheeks flushed a deep, rosy red, the prettiest thing he’d ever seen.

She looked so sweet and shy, it made his heart melt.

“Babe, let’s go see the Northern Lights for New Year’s p>

Dorothea’s eyes went soft and shiny. When he finally let her go, she nodded. “But what about Grandma? Will she be alone at home p>

Even with the caretaker and Linda there, Dorothea still felt sorry at the thought of her grandma by herself.

“Don’t worry,” Latham said, gently rubbing her earlobe. “We’ll take Grandma to my dad’s place. It’ll be lively Garth and the others will be there tog Content belangs

Dorothea thought it over. Grandma did love being around kids.

That actually sounded pretty nice.

“Alright then p>

Carmen had wanted to ask Dorothea if she had any plans for New Year’s, only to find out she was already on a plane.

That’s when it really hit her-Dorothea was married now. She wasn’t just Carmen’s best friend anymore.

It stung a little, but at the same time, Carmen was happy for her.

Then her mom texted. “Carmen, I just sent you a location. Come over, I need to talk to you p>

The pin dropped at a tea house. Carmen figured her mom just wanted some company for a shopping trip.

But when she arrived and opened the door to the private room, she found a man she didn’t know, though his face seemed strangely familiar.

He was sitting on a carved wooden chair, dressed in a sharp suit. His features were almost too perfect, with a strong brow a straight nose, and lips that looked like they’d been painted on, giving him this elegant, slightly distant vibe.

Even when he smiled, he couldn’t quite hide the air of authority about him.

“Hello. Your mother asked me to wait here for you,” Pearson said, his voice low and smooth, like running water.

Carmen pressed her lips together. She realized instantly—she’d been set up. This was a blind date.

Her hand stayed on the doorknob. “My mom’s not here? Then maybe I should go p>

Pearson stood up, his cool gaze meeting hers. “Carmen, now that not sit down for

you’re here, why no het

cup of tea? Then you can tell your family you gave it a shot p>

Carmen hesitated, thinking it over for a few seconds. He had a point.

Since she was already here, she might as well hear what he had to say.

“Pearson, I’m sorry. My mom set this up without asking me. Sorry for wasting your time p>