Chapter 111
“Heh, no big deal. Really p>
Dorothea didn’t make it home until ten. She was still taking off her shoes in the entryway when she heard a sound coming from the kitchen.
“Latham?” she called, not sure if it was him.
He was there, leaning against the kitchen island, a chilled bottle of mineral water in his hand. The glass was fogged up from the cold. He looked like he’d just stepped out of the shower, with a bathrobe hanging loose on his shoulders, the collar open just enough to show off those defined abs.
He twisted off the cap, tipped his head back, and took a long drink. She couldn’t help but notice the way his Adam’s apple moved, or how a drop of water slipped down his jaw, trailing over his stomach before disappearing somewhere she definitely shouldn’t be staring at.
His voice was teasing, almost lazy. “Back from your busy day p>
He looked at her with a glint in his eye, clearly enjoying himself.
Dorothea walked closer, cleared her throat, and said, “Thanks for your help. Mr. Gates told me you found someone to lend a hand p>
Latham’s eyebrows lifted, but before he could say anything, Dorothea offered him an envelope.
“Tomorrow’s Saturday. I heard there’s an NBA exhibition game in town. Some of the players are pretty famous. Do you want to go p>
Latham squinted a little as he opened the envelope. There was just one ticket inside.
“This is your way of saying thanks again p>
“Yeah. Carmen told me you played on your high school basketball team, so I figured you might be into it p>
This wasn’t a couple’s ticket, though. It felt more like she was… inviting him out. Was she asking him on a date?
Latham’s lips curled up, just a little. “Sure. I’m free. I’ll go with you p>
Dorothea hesitated, almost saying it wasn’t really going with her, but then she changed her mind and let it go. Whatever. He’d see Wade there anyway. That would be a surprise.
When she didn’t argue, Latham’s smile grew even more. “Go get some rest. Don’t worry about anything else p>
Dorothea thanked him again and went to her room.
Left alone, Latham glanced down at the ticket, the softness in his eyes completely unguarded.
Maybe she really was starting to get it.
When Latham woke up the next day and strolled out in casual clothes, Linda told him Dorothea had already left.
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you know where she went p>
“No idea. But she was dressed up. Maybe out shopping with friends p>
Latham’s lips twitched in a smirk. Clearly, she was taking their date seriously.
He got it. Going out with a guy like him, being a little nervous was normal.
“Alright. I’m heading out. We won’t be home for dinner tonight p>
He walked straight into the elevator, not waiting for Linda’s reply.
Linda was left confused, mumbling, “But Dorothea said she’d be back for dinner p>
Latham made a quick stop at the
florist, picked up a bouquet of roses, and stashed them in the trunk He planned to give them to Dorothea after the game.
At the stadium, he stood with one hand in his pocket, ticket in hand, watching as people filed in. When it was almost time for the game to start, he frowned, thinking about calling Dorothea. That’s when someone called out to him.
“Latham, you’re here too? Dorothea didn’t come with you p>
He turned to see Wade, who was holding up his own ticket. Something felt off. “Why are you here p>
Wade grinned. “Dorothea said she had a spare ticket and gave it to me. I thought you two were coming together p>
Latham’s eyes narrowed. He
snatched the ticket from Wade and
checked the seat numbers. They
were right next to each other.
Seriously?
He’d totally underestimated Dorothea.
Wade called after him, sounding confused. “Where are you going p>
Latham tossed the ticket back at him. “Why don’t you get one of your male model
friends to keep you company p>
Wade just stared.
Wait. Did Dorothea get the wrong idea? Or… did she do this on purpose?