Chapter 161
Since she was meeting Latham’s friends, but it wasn’t some fancy dinner, Dorothea figured a ball gown would be way too much.
She ended up picking a black velvet dress from her closet, one that hugged her waist just right. She paired it with tall black boots, feeling good about her choice.
The sound of Latham’s car horn drifted in from outside the garden. That was her cue. She hurried to put on her earrings, hands moving a little faster than usual.
When she got outside, Latham was leaning against his car, eyes down, giving her legs a quick once-over before looking away. His face didn’t give much away.
“Get in,” he said.
Dorothea noticed he was fidgeting with a lighter again. It was kind of odd-she’d never actually seen him smoke, but he was always messing with that thing.
She followed him into the back seat, and to her surprise, Wade was behind the wheel this time.
She flashed him a warm smile. “Mr. Gates p>
Then she looked at Latham beside her and whispered, “Latham, do you want to ride up front p>
He just raised an eyebrow, not even hesitating. “Nope p>
Wade tried to hide a smile and reassured her, “Don’t worry, Dorothea. I’m used to being Latham’s chauffeur. It’s not my first day p>
“You two just enjoy the back seat. Want me to put the privacy partition up p>
Dorothea’s cheeks warmed. “That’s okay, no need p>
If Wade actually did that, things would only get more awkward.
Latham glanced at her knees, noticing how the cold had left them a little pink. “Aren’t you cold p>
Before she could answer, he took off his jacket and draped it over her legs.
Dorothea almost told him she’d put heat packs on her calves, that it really wasn’t so bad, but she let it go and stayed quiet.
Wade started the car, and they drove off.
Dorothea kept sneaking glances at Latham, wanting to say something but hesitating.
He finally looked over, totally calm. “You’ve been staring at me for five minutes. What, are you planning to confess your feelings in front of everyone p>
Dorothea almost choked. “No, it’s not that p>
“I was on the phone with Jared this afternoon. Do you remember that time you went back to visit him, and ended up taking a student to the hospital p>
Latham’s eyes narrowed a little, his lips barely moving. “I don’t remember p>
Wade watched them through the rearview mirror, looking a little skeptical.
Dorothea pressed her lips together “Oh, okay. It’s nothing. I was just curious. I mentioned to Jared that
we’re getting married, and he said he wants to come to the wedding.
“Right. I forgot to send him an invite p>
Maybe it was better that he didn’t remember. Dorothea figured she was just overthinking things anyway.
Back then she was a freshman in high school. That was nearly ten years ago. It made sense if he forgotten. When she was starting high school, Latham was probably about to graduate college.
The drive was smooth, and they got to their destination pretty quickly.
Before heading into the private room, Dorothea stopped by the restroom.
Wade and Latham waited outside. Wade looked puzzled. “So, Latham, that girl from back then was Dorothea p>
“Why’d you say you didn’t remember p>
That day was something Wade still remembered clearly. In his mind, it was one of
the strangest things he’d ever seen Latham do.
They’d gone back to their old school
together, and Jared had come rushing over, calling for help. Wade had been about to squat down and give the female student a piggyback, but Latham stopped him.
Instead, Latham scooped the girl up himself and told Wade to hurry up and drive.
Wade had never seen him so serious or strict. But saving someone came first.
Luckily, the hospital visit turned out fine. The doctor just said it was low blood sugar. Wade had teased him about it afterwards, “Latham, you looked so nervous, like she was your girlfriend or something p>
Latham shot him a glare. “She’s a freshman in high school p>
Wade realized he’d crossed a line and apologized right away. “My bad, forget I said anything p>
Still, even years later, whenever people joked that Latham wasn’t interested in women, Wade always thought of that day and that girl.
If Dorothea really was the student from back then, maybe Latham had started thinking about her ever since.