Chapter 85
“Or are you saying you don’t have one p>
Albert’s lips barely moved. “You really don’t need to worry about me p>
The room was filling up fast. In just ten minutes, there were beautiful women everywhere you looked. Some had that sweet, innocent vibe. Others looked polished and elegant. A few were just flat-out stunning.
Latham took out his phone, acting like he was scrolling through messages, but he was actually recording the whole scene. His camera lingered on Albert, who now had a cute, innocent-looking girl sitting next to him.
Latham saved the video, looking pretty pleased with himself.
Albert glanced at the girl who had just appeared beside him, frowning at how out of place she seemed. “You really don’t need to sit with me p>
He shot a look at Latham. “Go keep Mr. Stephens company. He’s the one across from you p>
Latham heard Albert and gave a little snort. “No need to find me a date. I’m into men, remember p>
Albert noticed the girl next to him looked like she was about to cry. He sighed and gave in. “Don’t mind me. Just eat, okay p>
After that, dinner went on without much drama. Still, everyone could tell Latham wasn’t feeling it. He kept spinning a lighter in his hand. Someone leaned over, offering to light a cigarette for him.
He waved them off with a grin. “I quit. The lighter’s just for the cravings p>
People chuckled. No one had ever heard of someone using a lighter as a substitute for smoking before.
Albert raised an eyebrow, watching Latham with a curious look. Something felt off about him tonight.
The thing was, nobody in their social circle just up and quit a habit unless they had a health scare. Or unless they were quitting for someone.
Albert thought of Latham’s preferences and let out a quiet laugh, deciding not to dwell on it.
Meanwhile, Latham was texting quietly under the table. Across town, Dorothea was jolted awake by the buzz of her phone.
She rubbed at her eyes, grabbed her phone from the pillow, and unlocked it. The first thing she saw was a video from Latham.
She didn’t catch much the first time through.
Then his message popped up. [Dorothea, was I good? Everyone else brought a date, but I was on my best behavior p>
Dorothea watched the video again
and spotted a familiar face in
crowd Albert. And right beside him, there really was a pretty innoce
Dorothea smirked. It was obvious Latham had sent her the video on purpose.
Her mood, which had been terrible all day, suddenly felt lighter thanks to Latham’s childish attempt to show off.
She typed her reply, slow and deliberate. [Yeah, you were good. But if you brought someone, wouldn’t it be a guy anyway p>
After sending it, she rolled over and went right back to sleep.
Latham stared at her reply, pressing his tongue against his back teeth, trying not to smile too hard.
He stood up, left the table, and headed straight for the parking.
garage Dinner was boring. Bonet
lofe
with his wife sounded a whole lot better.
When he got home, though, Dorothea’s bedroom door was tightly shut. Linda came over to remind him, “Latham Dorothea got back this afternoon and went straight to bed. She told me not to make her any dinner. Honestly, she seemed off. Her eyes were red when she got home p>
Latham’s brows pulled together. She’d been crying?
Who the hell made her cry?
He walked over to Dorothea’s door. “Dorothea, are you awake p>
No answer.
He knocked again, a little louder. “Dorothea? I need you to look at something for me. If you’re up, can you open the door p>
Dorothea, still half-asleep and hair a mess, dragged herself to the door and opened it, clearly annoyed. “What is it p>
Latham’s eyes narrowed instantly. He stared at her red, swollen cheek, his voice suddenly sharp and cold. “Who hit you p>